General
The synthetic ice rink blog is dedicated to providing useful information to anyone considering a synthetic ice rink. The content is full of posts for hockey parents, hockey players, figure skaters, event planners, those interested in community recreation options, or those thinking about operating a synthetic ice training facility.
Worlds Largest Synthetic Ice Backyard Rink
What an amazing synthetic hockey rink project this was. We converted a backyard asphalt tennis court into the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink. This rink was completely tricked out with blue lines, centre red line, faceoff dots, goal creases, and goal lines. This family is not only hockey crazy but they also play lacrosse. So at their request, we added an additional crease outside the hockey goal crease for lacrosse. This was a first in the world that we are aware of.
ProFast1500 Synthetic Ice gets it done
This project used our SmartRink Profast1500, the same one that we used in Gladstone, MO, and Tenjin Hikari Square, Japan. This “hybrid” connection system uses a very unique perimeter male and female continuous ridge that is extremely tight fitting. As a result, it requires a fair degree of “persuasion” to assemble. We accomplished the task using 3 pound hammers and some solid plastic blocks. These were placed over the joint to create the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink.
These panels are called “hybrid” though because we can use the above-mentioned connection systems. We also use the H-Tongue connection system for the areas with solid line markings. This means SmartRink synthetic ice line markings are positively and solidly connected to the panels on either side of the lines. This is a massive advantage over our competitors who prefer to “loose lay” their lines inside surrounding panels.
Synthetic ice rink size
This rink measured 115ft x 51ft. The almost 6,000 square feet took our crew of 4 the better part of 1.5 days to lay down. There was a lot of downtime from crew having to cart panels into the work space. This was necessary as there was fencing around the entire perimeter of this synthetic ice backyard rink.
Then the molded board system was installed over the synthetic ice. There is always the issue of expansion and contraction of the synthetic ice. Therefore, we had to calculate seasonal temperature variations and determine exactly how the boards should be positioned. We were able to utilize the existing fence posts from the tennis court to secure half of the boards. Then we used a new asphalt anchoring system for the other half. The anchors holes were drilled with a hammer drill and then filled with a quick drying mortar before the anchors were inserted. The anchors had a threaded sleeve for the 4 inch hex bolts. They worked like a charm in the world’s largest rink.
The boards and netting took another day and a half. However, well within four days the rink was completed and ready for the first skate. This video shows the first game played on the surface of this backyard synthetic ice rink. Since this was fall and breezy, there was some debris on the surface from the overhead trees. Otherwise, the synthetic ice surface was a huge hit! Now they have the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink.
Learn how to invest in your own backyard synthetic ice rink!
Skating on Synthetic Ice is Easy
I’ve heard it all when it comes to skating on synthetic ice. I’ve heard that you can’t move, or turn or stop or pivot. Recently one goalie coach who trained players on synthetic ice insisted that you could not skate backwards on it. Wow was he ever surprised when he tested our product and saw how easy it was to move backwards and pivot and transition.
This is just another example of the mis-information that is out there about synthetic ice material. That is not to say there is not poor products being sold out there, there certainly is! And maybe that is a large part of the problem. Maybe that is why the industry still feels like it’s mired back in 1980 when there was nothing but poor products. That is why SmartRink is so dedicated to educating potential buyers about the differences in synthetic ice skating material. That is why we can safely and confidently say that skating on synthetic ice is easy.
So how can a buyer try to distinguish between a good quality product, a poor quality product, and an exceptional quality product. It starts with the raw material and how that rw materal is manufactured into a synthetic ice sheet.
Sinter Pressed Sheets
SmartRink products are sinter pressed sheets. Sintering the sheet makes all the difference. In a head to head trial of our product verses a leading brand of extruded product the overwhelming consensus of the comparison for skating performance was that our product delivered a superior skate. The glide was superior and more realistic. To be fair some skaters preferred the stopping action of the extruded sheet material. Perhaps the resistance of the product was greater than ours – but that is just speculation. One very noticeable difference was the amount of material residue that was displaced from skating on our competitors panels. It was incredible actually to see the difference first hand. Stopping on their product produced a handful of white dusty powdery residue. Whereas stopping on the SmartRink material resulted in producing only a fingertip worth of fibre like material. You could hardly even see it.
Synthetic ice bottom line
So in a nutshell why is our product easier to skate on? Our panels are SINTER pressed. This is a process of applying great pressure under both high temperature and lower temperature conditions. This not only deivers better skating performance but allows us to offer a product that is incredibly abrasion resistant – meaning it will last much longer than an extruded material.
At SmartRink we say that skating on synthetic ice is easy. Really we should be saying that skating on SmartRink synthetic ice is easy!
Synthetic ice connection systems
One of the single largest myths out there about synthetic ice is that one connection system can do it all. That is absolutely not the case. If it was a perfect world and all installations were on a laser levelled cement surface it would still not suffice for any one system to do it all. A couple products come close but at the end of the day there is no one synthetic ice connection system that does it all.
Almost any company that offers a synthetic ice product for sale carries a “dovetail” or dovetail like product. These product typically go together like puzzle pieces. They are great for home owners or even light duty commercial applications. The achilles heel of this connection system is that they do not have much or in most cases lack vertical pull out strength. Vertical pull out strength is measured as the force required to separate vertically a dovetail synthetic ice panel joint. A couple companies have attempted to improve the system with various degrees of success but the fact remains that most of these products are not well suited to outside environments or even inside environments where the temperature fluctuates widely.
SmartRink sells a dovetail panel like almost every other synthetic ice seller out there. But we also sell an H-Spline system, a flat tongue spline system, a flat tongue and dowel system, and a Hybrid-Lock system. Each of these synthetic ice connection systems have advantages and disadvantages. Some are better suited to certain applications and environments than others. Some offer incredible pull out strength and some offer the ability to easily lock and secure hockey lines and markings. At SmartRink it simply is not acceptable to think that one panel can do it all.
I can tell you first hand about application horror stories where the client was told a certain system would work and how it failed miserably. You just want to ever be in that situation – especially for a commercial synthetic rink where it may be your business that depends on how the synthetic ice connection system performs.
There is no magic here. There is a great deal of marketing and sales BS going on out there. People need to research all the variables. The synthetic ice connection system is one they need to be thinking about.
If you find yourself in this situation, please contact us at SmartRink and see how we can custom fit your application to one of our many type of synthetic ice connection systems.
Synthetic Ice: Misleading Sales Information
People interested in investing in synthetic ice want a good product. They deserve good value for their money, but they also deserve factual information. I came across very misleading information the other day so I want to write about and set the record straight.
There are several popular connection systems available on the market today. Some of the best systems have been around for decades with minor improvements here and there. By far the most popular connection system is the “dovetail” or interlocking joint system. I came across some misleading information the other day on a product website. Here is what they write on their site as a matter of public information on the internet:
Dovetail Connection: Our Extreme Glide interlocking dovetail style synthetic ice panels, which out-performs the traditional Spline and Square Edge style panels, make installation and removal of the floor very quick and simple. Dovetail panels have quickly become the #1 choice in synthetic ice amongst commercial and residential users. Dovetail panels offer numerous advantages over spline and square edge:
Will not separate during expansion and contraction caused by temperature & humidity changes.
Allow for a variety of floor shapes and installation options resulting in a very strong and durable surface.
Have a very small contact tolerance resulting in the safest & smoothest skating surface.
Can be easily cut to customize your desired skating surface.
Are virtually indestructible and will not break, bend or warp under normal indoor or outdoor usage.
The most popular choice for commercial and residential users.
They are not being very specific here about spline systems but one popular system that is used widely around the world is the H-Spline system. This system is extremely strong. It literally takes thousands of pounds of both vertical and horizontal shear force to tear these joints apart. This has been tested and verified. There are also spline systems out there that also use dowels inserted into the splines that lock the panels together. I’m not sure what the specs are for vertical and horizontal shear strength of this system but I can guarantee it would certainly be far stronger vertically than any dovetail system.
As for square edged style panels – no serious user has built a rink with that system so it’s not worth discussing here.
What is indicated above: “will not separate during expansion and contraction caused by temeprature and humidy changes”. That is absolutely false. Vertical separation due to temperature changes followed by (humidty) rain then freezing temperatures can be absolutely problematic for all dovetail systems. Frankly – single dovetail systems should never be recommended for outside use – especially in Northern climates. You are asking for trouble under winter conditions not to mention risking severe safety hazards due to panel separation.
SmartRink sells dovetail panels, Hybrid-Lock(TM) dovetail panels, H-Spline panels, spline and dowel panels in thicknesses ranging from 6mm to 22mm. We understand there are panels for every application. To suggest that a dovetail panel is the most popular choice for both commercial and residential users is to also suggest that there is likely a lack of understanding of other panel joint systems and their appropriate applications.
Interested buyers and serious buyers of larger more sophisticated commercial synthetic ice systems need to understand and come to appreciate how significant a decision the connection system is to their applications for commercial synthetic ice.
If this is a concern for you, contact us and we can match your application the best product for the job.
Synthetic ice free trial
Anyone up for a synthetic ice free trial? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to skate on synthetic ice? Do you have kids that are hockey players, figure skaters, or just want to learn how to skate? Is ice time hard to find when you have the time to take your kids?
Well SmartRink has the ultimate solution for you. We offer a synthetic ice free trial in your home. We understand that almost everyone who comes across our product is excited and they want to try it out. So we have come up with an easy way for this to happen.
You simply have to get on our website and fill out some forms and then someone from our team will be in touch to arrange the trial. For your synthetic ice free trial simply click this link: SmartRink synthetic ice free trial
Basically it’s that easy. We send you some forms to fill out and you never have any obligation or pressure to buy the product. Depending on where you live there may be some shipping charges to get the free trial product to your home. But once the product is there it’s your to use at home. If you decide that you like it enough to buy it then you just let us know.
The nice part about this synthetic ice free trial is that you don’t have to stress over placing an order for an expensive item and not really know if you will like it or not.
Synthetic ice by SmartRink. What makes our synthetic ice different?
SmartRink synthetic ice panels are sinter pressed. That means not only will our panels be more durable over the long term but they also deliver superior skating performance!
There is a big debate in snowboarding and skiing circles about sinter pressed bases verses extruded bases for skis and snowboards. The same debate needs to be held for synthetic ice.
Sinter pressed sheet material has several main advantages over extruded material. First and foremost is that a higher molecular weight resin may be used for sinter pressing. The higher molecular weight resin ultimately produces a panel that is not only more abrasion resistant but will also offer superior skating (glide) performance over an extruded sheet.
Extruded sheet is limited in that the extrusion process is not able to use higher molecular weight resin, it just does not work. So when a sheet is extruded it can only use certain grades of resin. This accounts for why an extruded sheet tends to “shed” a lot of pastic residue while being skated on. This not only creates more maintenance work, but it also means the panel is wearing out more quickly.
Simple lab tests by any sheet manufacturer will attest that a higher molecular weight product is far more abrasion resistant than a lower molecular weight product. This test can be then be used to determine what a skate blade over the long term might do to a panel. One common such test is known as the sand slurry test.
Read more about the research we’ve put into our SmartRink synthetic ice rinks.
Corporate Event Ideas
The next big corporate event ideas?
Have you ever considered a theme using synthetic ice for your next big corporate event idea? Think about the possibilities you could be exploring at any time of the year. You could hold a hockey game in the summer, or a skating fashion show, or hire professional ice dancers. Or how about a Christmas themed event or a Winter Wonderland event – any time of the year.
Corporate Event Ideas
Offering a skating themed event inside a ball room or outdoors on the beach might be very memorable, something to get your employees talking about and creating a positive buzz around your organization. Corporate event ideas can be a real challenge for an event marketing company or for a company’s internal marketing organization. With a synthetic ice skating rink by SmartRink we can ensure that your next corporate event idea is a real winner.
As with most great corporate event ideas, there is always the problem with budgets and with resources. With a SmartRink Corporate event there is always a way to pull off great corporate event ideas and not stretch your budget or resources to the max. We offer rental options for our synthetic ice rinks.
Corporate events ideas with SmartRink
We have worked with companies large and small with budgets ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 for our typical synthetic ice rink packaged events. Additional options and accessories such as skates, rubber matting, cleaning services, skate sharpening services, and operators can also be arranged depending on your unique requirement for your corporate event ideas. We can even provide skating lessons!
Synthetic ice that travels
SmartRink has travelled all over North America including, Las Vegas, New York, Toronto, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Our event rinks have been set up on Broadway and on waterways, we have run corporate events in the heat of the summer and in the cold of the winter, inside or outside. Corporate event ideas now become portable and possible with a SmartRink synthetic ice event.
Line up your next big Corporate Event Idea today!
Contact SmartRink with your corporate event idea and we can customize a solution tailored to your exact needs. Call today and book your event with SmartRink before someone else does. Learn more about why SmartRink synthetic ice would be perfect for you!
What is synthetic ice
When people ask what is synthetic ice it can be a challenge to answer in a way that they can truly understand and grasp the both the concept and the product capability. So in this post I am going to do my best to give you a brief education and overview on what is synthetic ice.
Synthetic ice is a plastic
Yes, in it’s most basic form synthetic ice is plastic. To be sure there are a lot of different kinds of plastic. There are also various ways that plastic is made. So what is synthetic ice made of? Generally speaking it’s made of polyethylene although there are a few that appear to be made from other material as well.
Polyethylene and synthetic ice
There are various grades of polyethylene. I have written about this before so check out some of our earlier posts about that topic. Typically though what is synthetic ice polyethylene? We generally see products in the HDPe – VHMWPe classifications and even within these there can be quite a variety of molecular weights. For example HDPe can range from 300,000 g/mole to 500,000 g/mole.
What is synthetic ice manufacturing methods
Typically any product we see being made in North America is extruded. Extruded polyethylene does can have a molecular weight that is over 500,000 g./mole. This is a limiting factor for this method. The result is a decent sheet suitable for skating on but it won’t be the best material. Some companies claim to use a higher molecular weight and also claim they extrude the material. The only explanation for this is that they mix materials such that it will work in the extruder.
The other method of manufacture is sinter pressing. This process uses extreme pressure along with heating and cooling of the material. This is advantageous because it de-stresses the material. Sinter pressing also allows for a much higher molecular weight material to be used and will produce a superior glide and far superior durability over the long term of the product. There are standard industry tests such as the sand slurry test that will demonstrate how much better sinter pressed material with higher molecular weight is to abrasion resistance than standard extruded material. That test shows how durable a product will be over time.
Ask questions about synthetic ice
So when people ask “what is synthetic ice” it is important to understand that there can be vast differences between suppliers. Clients tell me that other suppliers they talk to are reluctant to share very much product information with them. That’s unfortunate, but in order to do a proper analysis between products it’s essential to understand more about material, glide enhancers and connection systems. Then once you have all the basic information you can be better armed to make some legitimate price comparisons. Otherwise you are potentially relying on some companies marketing or sales pitch and that could lead to disappointment. Hopefully that is never the case.
What is a synthetic ice Free Trial?
It is understood that this can be a complicated and confusing purchase. SmartRink offers a Free Trial to assist you in making an informed intelligent decision. On our website just enter the Synthetic ice Free Trial button and you’ll be on your way to skating at home or anywhere, whenever you like.
Learn more about what it is like skating on synthetic ice.
Skating on Synthetic Ice
Players face off on SmartRink Synthetic Ice
Is there an adjustment period to skating on synthetic ice?
With any training product there is always an adjustment while you learn how to use it and become comfortable with it so you can improve your skills. Synthetic ice is no different! Skating on synthetic ice will force your body and muscles to practice proper skating techniques so that when you transition to real ice, you will be that much quicker and have increased agility. You will see an improvement in your stride and you will develop quick feet that gives you an competitive edge amongst other skaters.
How long does it take to adjust to skating on synthetic ice?
Depending on your skating ability and how sharp your skates are, your adjustment period could be anywhere from a few minutes to 20 minutes for skating on synthetic ice. Keeping your feet moving will give you the best experience, which is no different than on real ice. If you don’t move your feet, you won’t be able to glide. Start out with something simple such as a T-push or long strides.
What’s it like to skate on synthetic ice?
Speaking from personal experience, I’ve been skating for over 25 years and have played hockey for the majority of those years. When it came to skating on synthetic ice at first, it was a bit different. But after about 5 minutes of skating around and getting the “feel” for skating on synthetic ice, there was nothing I couldn’t do on synthetic ice that I can do on real ice. I can tell you with 100% confidence that if you or your child were using our synthetic ice product regularly, not only will they have no trouble skating on synthetic ice, but you WILL see an improvement in their skating ability on real ice and watch how their confidence increases along with it.
Is synthetic ice good for beginners or those learning how to skate?
Using synthetic ice for those just learning to skate is a phenomenal training tool. It helps them keep their balance more so than real ice because there is a bit more resistance. This will help improve their confidence and encourage them to keep pushing forward whether they be hockey players or figure skaters. Having the resistance also helps them stand up longer which gives them a better opportunity to take their hands off of the sides and skate all by themselves. It might still hurt when they fall down, but at least it’s not as cold!
If you would like more information on skating on synthetic ice, check out our website or contact one of our representatives and they would be happy to help answer your questions.
Synthetic ice reviews
A lot of folks are interested in synthetic ice reviews simply because there is not a great volume of credible information being published in this industry. Synthetic ice reviews can not only assist you in making an informed decision but it can help you to make a wise long term investment in your child’s skating and playing future.
So what is important to know about synthetic ice?
A lot of people focus on the price of synthetic ice, and there is no doubt that price is important. But you’ve purchased enough things in your life to know that low price almost will never buy you the best product. Right? That’s just common sense. But you should understand a few other important aspects as well when you do your synthetic ice reviews. The material for example needs to be considered. Is it HDPe or HMWPe or VHMWPe of UHMWPe? Then how is it made? Is the sheet sinter pressed or extruded? There is a huge difference there. Did you know for example that every sheet made in North America is extruded? This process reduces a sheet that is less durable and has a reduced glide than sinter pressed sheets. Your thorough synthetic ice reviews will reveal that of course. Another important consideration is the connection system. Every producer makes a dovetail joint connection system. There are a few variations of it but in the end they all have an Achilles heel. And that is that they can be vertically separated when there is a vertical force at the joint. This type of synthetic ice joint connection really should never be used outside where there is a great chance of vertical separation due to temperature variations such as heat and extreme cold along with ice and snow. Your synthetic ice reviews must make these determinations.
So how do you really know what synthetic ice is best for you?
You really need to set a realistic budget for yourself based on the size you want. When you conduct your synthetic ice reviews please ensure that you understand there are different performance levels with the various price categories. A lower price level and therefore a lower performance level will run you about $8 per square foot. A decent mid-range price level and therefore a medium performance level will cost around $12 psf. Then depending on the material and the joint connection system you can pay between $16 and $23 psf. The higher priced products will not only be superior material but they will also likely be sinter pressed sheets so they will be much more durable and abrasion resistant.
So realistically how different is one synthetic ice material over another?
The easy answer is the larger the surface area, the more relevant this questions becomes. If you only want a 10ft x 10ft surface in your basement then by all means it makes sense to go for a lower end product. The reality is that you can only skate a minimal amount anyway so a size like this is more appropriate for shooting pucks. On the other hand a larger surface should demand a superior material and potentially a stronger connection system because you will notice a difference in glide and speed and ease of movement with a larger surface. The differences are vast but they are even more significant with a larger surface. A good rule of thumb – the larger the surface the more you should be prepared to spend per square foot – The skaters will definitely notice.
Talk to several synthetic ice companies
Through the process of completing your synthetic ice reviews ensure that you speak live to several reputable companies and ask the same series of questions and then compare the answers you receive. Synthetic ice can become a significant investment. If you still aren’t certain then take advantage of our synthetic ice Free Trial so that then you will really know what to expect prior to spending a lot of money.
Learn more about SmartRink synthetic ice.