TyronneIce your way in the summer rain
January 19th 2008 07:14
Rain has hit Sydney constantly this summer, and it's no exception this weekend that I am sitting on my couch collecting mold while contemplating on what to do.
We can't waste a weekend can we?
I vaguely remember being taken to the ice rinks as part of sport at school, putting on blade skates for the first time and being dragged slowly around the cold hard ice by the helpful staff at the rink. The fear I experienced in the beginning and the joy I felt at the end when I could skate myself around the rink without falling, was unforgettable.
So, dragging my partner by the wrists (it was the only way to get him out of the house) we headed for the Macquarie Centre Ice Rink.
Surprisingly, after ten years off the ice, I still remembered how to keep my balance. As graceful as I can, I did a round of practice and in no time, I was skating as freely as any Olympic skater.
Okay, so I wish, but I am still a lot better than my partner, who is still clinging onto the side threating to ignore me for the rest of the night if I didn't go rescue him.
Ice skating really can be fun. It is scary and embarrassing at the start when you are still getting used to the slippery ice surface and you are falling all over the rink, tripping everyone else in the process. However once you get the hang of it, it's freedom baby! And is a perfect way to spend an afternoon on a rainy day. (Think healthy, active and compared to possible shopping expenses, relatively cheap too)
There are four ice skating rinks in Sydney:
Macquarie Centre Ice Rink
In the same building as Macquarie shopping centre, it's the home to many Australian winter Olympians and figure skating figures. Parking can be hard when shopping it hot but the good thing about it is, you can cram in some shopping before and after your skating session!
Adult $19 / Child $17 per session, include skate hire.
Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink
For over 35 years the Canterbury Ice Rink has been a popular ice sport destination in the inner west of Sydney. Closer and possibly the easiest to get to by public transport, this is a slightly cheaper alternative to Macquarie and has great facilities.
Adult $16 / Child $15 per session. Family pass available for $55
Blacktown Ice Arena
A friendly family owned business in Blacktown, not a big one, but still great fun for the whole family.
Adult $15 / Child $13 including skate hire. Learn to play ice hockey here on Sundays for $12 including gear and coach!
Sydney Ice Arena
Sydney's newest ice skating venue. A bit far away in the Hills district and unless you have your own transport, it's actually quite hard to reach. However, featuring state of the art facilities and its own ice hockey team, The Emperors. It's popular with younger crowds.
Adult $18 / Child $15 - Discount ten session pass $130
We can't waste a weekend can we?
I vaguely remember being taken to the ice rinks as part of sport at school, putting on blade skates for the first time and being dragged slowly around the cold hard ice by the helpful staff at the rink. The fear I experienced in the beginning and the joy I felt at the end when I could skate myself around the rink without falling, was unforgettable.
So, dragging my partner by the wrists (it was the only way to get him out of the house) we headed for the Macquarie Centre Ice Rink.
Surprisingly, after ten years off the ice, I still remembered how to keep my balance. As graceful as I can, I did a round of practice and in no time, I was skating as freely as any Olympic skater.
Okay, so I wish, but I am still a lot better than my partner, who is still clinging onto the side threating to ignore me for the rest of the night if I didn't go rescue him.
Blacktown Ice Rink (Image source: www.getalife.com.au)
Ice skating really can be fun. It is scary and embarrassing at the start when you are still getting used to the slippery ice surface and you are falling all over the rink, tripping everyone else in the process. However once you get the hang of it, it's freedom baby! And is a perfect way to spend an afternoon on a rainy day. (Think healthy, active and compared to possible shopping expenses, relatively cheap too)
There are four ice skating rinks in Sydney:
Macquarie Centre Ice Rink
In the same building as Macquarie shopping centre, it's the home to many Australian winter Olympians and figure skating figures. Parking can be hard when shopping it hot but the good thing about it is, you can cram in some shopping before and after your skating session!
Adult $19 / Child $17 per session, include skate hire.
Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink
For over 35 years the Canterbury Ice Rink has been a popular ice sport destination in the inner west of Sydney. Closer and possibly the easiest to get to by public transport, this is a slightly cheaper alternative to Macquarie and has great facilities.
Adult $16 / Child $15 per session. Family pass available for $55
Blacktown Ice Arena
A friendly family owned business in Blacktown, not a big one, but still great fun for the whole family.
Adult $15 / Child $13 including skate hire. Learn to play ice hockey here on Sundays for $12 including gear and coach!
Sydney Ice Arena
Sydney's newest ice skating venue. A bit far away in the Hills district and unless you have your own transport, it's actually quite hard to reach. However, featuring state of the art facilities and its own ice hockey team, The Emperors. It's popular with younger crowds.
Adult $18 / Child $15 - Discount ten session pass $130
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Comment by katyzzz
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I remember the third (a boy) being taken some time by some group or other and just going straight out into the middle of the ice, where he fell on his derriere, he always was a bit of a clown in some ways. Anyway he lived to tell the tale.
I didn't realize there were so many rinks now. I'm so pleased you shook off the mold, your friend sounds like a wimp, he should be brave. Richard the Lionhart or some such thing.
Hope you are still speaking this evening, those pictures with lots of little people in them are always interesting.
katyzzz
Comment by Michaelie
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Michaelie, - No one has cut their ears off ice skating. Fingers maybe! But not that I have seen. You really should try it. If you can rollerblade, you will be able to ice skate in no time!
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Comment by AmyHuang
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I wish winter here snowed and get really really cold so we can have free outdoor skating on a frozen river/lake like in Europe!