Skating on a synthetic ice rink

Potential buyers can be reluctant to seriously consider a synthetic ice rink. They really just don’t understand the product. Maybe they had a negative experience where their kid fell flat on his face the first time they tried one out. Maybe it was grossly oversold by a company who really didn’t understand it themselves. This can create super unrealistic expectations. Perhaps they “heard” from a hockey coach who tried it once and hated it because he couldn’t skate backwards on it. At SmartRink we have heard all of these reasons and many, many more.

Just how realistic is it?

Some companies suggest that their brand of synthetic ice is just like ice, or 97% the same as real ice or some ridiculous claim or another. So here’s the real scoop. In tests that we have done with our product versus real ice we have found that with a single “T-push” from a dead stop that we can travel around 35 to 40 feet on a SmartRink synthetic ice rink .

So is that good? Well, maybe that’s a matter of opinion. When we compare that to real ice using the same skater doing a similar “T-push,” they can take that distance up to 60 feet. The other test we have on the SmartRink synthetic ice rink is we have done a speed test. In this test, a skater goes from a dead stop and is timed over a fifty foot distance.

The same test was then completed over multiple trials on real ice. The average times between our synthetic ice rink and the real ice were virtually identical. So what does that really tell us? From a practical point of view it would suggest that as long as you are working on synthetic (moving your feet) then you will move. When you stop moving your feet, you will stop more quickly than on real ice.

Synthetic ice coefficient of friction is a poor indicator of performance for skating

Some synthetic ice sellers use the coefficient of friction (COF) to suggest that their synthetic ice material is very similar to that of real ice. This is irresponsible,  and frankly misleading marketing in our opinion. Synthetic ice material is often rated at a 97% or 98% COF. This should not be mistaken to mean that a synthetic ice rink will perform at 97% or 98% as well as real ice. COF is a standard test with most sheet manufacturers. A polished steel disc is pulled along the material and the resistance is measured. This is a far cry from a sharp steel skate blade under significant weight.

So what can I expect with my synthetic ice rink?

What you can expect with products that have higher molecular weight material with a good glide enhancer is a favorable skating experience. You won’t be able to glide as far, but you should be able to skate as fast as long as your feet are moving. You can stop, turn, pivot, skate forward, backward, jump, spin, use pucks, shoot and pretty well anything else that you would normally do on real ice.

How can you really be sure that your synthetic ice rink will be good?

Can you ever re

How will you really know if anything you buy will be as good as advertised? Well think about it. When you buy a house you walk through it and you inspect it. When you buy a car you test drive it. Well at SmartRink we also believe in trying your synthetic ice before you have to buy it. So we pioneered the Free Trial of our synthetic ice rink products. You simply go to www.smartrink.com and fill out our Free Synthetic Ice Rink Trial program form and we will do the rest. Doing business should be easy and worry free and with SmartRink it is. So if you are thinking about buying a synthetic ice rink then consider SmartRink.

Synthetic ice can make a huge difference in your child’s skating and skills development. I receive a lot of calls from really proud hockey parents and figure skating parents who know their kids have some talent when it comes to skating or playing hockey. Like most parents they want their kids to be high achievers and to have every opportunity to be their best. They consider buying synthetic ice because it can truly make a difference in their children’s training and therefore their on ice performance. Maybe synthetic ice makes dreams come true.

I saw first hand what synthetic ice did for my kids

And it’s true. I have seen that with my own eyes with my own kids. Both of my kids are excellent skaters. My son now plays junior hockey while attending university. My daughter is attending a hockey prep school on scholarship. I saw first hand what synthetic ice did for my kids hockey training at home.

Now I’m not talking about synthetic ice that is impossible to skate on, or turn, or pivot, or skate backwards. I’m talking about a high quality product that will help your child develop their skills. There is nothing worse than paying a bunch of your hard earned dollars on a product that over promises and under delivers. What will happen is your child will not like it, and they will not use it. My industry is full of synthetic ice companies like that. Whether you live in Canada, U.S.A., or anywhere in the world, there are a few great products, and a lot of just OK products. So research your synthetic ice company before you buy.

Buy a quality synthetic ice product

<p>&lt;p>You can really help your child live the dream and train properly when they buy a quality synthetic ice product, or at the very least a synthetic ice product that might have lower quality but is priced appropriately. <p><p>Your child should be able to do anything on a good synthetic ice product that they can do on real ice. That said, synthetic ice will not instantly make your child a better skater. If the proper mechanics are not there to begin with then like anything it will become a work in progress. Great improvements can be made though rapidly because your child can now be practicing everyday at any time. There are no longer restrictions on ice times.

Train on synthetic ice at home, anytime you want

Imagine if your child was a good skater, but just could not lift the puck, or take a slap shot. A common enough scenario. Now put&lt;a&gt;=”yoast-text-mark”>=”https://smartrink.com/basement-synthetic-ice/”> synthetic ice in your basement or garage and all of a sudden they can practice with their skates on – at home! Now instead of taking 100 shots in running shows they have their skates on and are at the correct height to take a shot because they are on top of synthetic ice. Now the possibilities are endless all of a sudden. Day by day the shots improve. Now your child is actually encouraged and excited to go to practice again so they can show off their new skills to their team mates.</p&gt;

The next thing you know tryouts are here and your child is becoming the full package. Great skater, all the skills, all the things coaches look for in selections. You know you made a good decision in buying the synthetic ice for home and you have given your child every chance to make the most of it.</p&gt;

Having synthetic ice makes dreams come true and means training anytime. That’s a good feeling.

If you are serious about your child’s future development then an investment in synthetic ice is a wise one. There is probably no better training tool and they will be one step closer to fulfilling their dreams. Read more about why SmartRink synthetic ice would be great for you athlete.

Choose the right synthetic ice product for your application

We have written numerous articles about the importance of synthetic ice product selection for your application. There is a very good reason why! Not all products are very well suited to all applications. This synthetic ice review demonstrates the importance of selecting the right synthetic ice connection system for the job.

Just recently we faced a situation with a customer looking for a backyard synthetic ice rink with goal creases and some hockey line markings. We proposed our solution but unfortunately we lost out on the pricing. The red flag to the client should have been when the competitor priced their solution at more than 30% lower than our own. That’s a significant drop in price. I did suggest to the client that they at least negotiate a 30 day money back guarantee from the supplier as I was suspicious about the quality, especially when the price was cut so drastically.

On the surface the product looked like it was going to be really good but the reality is that the product failed miserably.

The family was completely dismayed and frustrated, especially after spending a great deal of money! At this point they called us back and asked us for suggestions that might help them out, even though it wasn’t our product. We did make some suggestions about the sub surface which was a newly poured concrete pad. But once they showed us the installation photos of the problem there was really nothing that could be done. They managed to convince the supplier to take it back and to their credit they did take it back, although it was not an easy process in terms of removal, packing and shipping.

Synthetic ice connection systems matter

The main trouble with this particular synthetic ice rink system was wherever the synthetic ice or goal creases or lines joined the standard synthetic ice panels there was a problem with the fit of the connection. The alignment was so bad that a puck could not slide over those areas, it would stop dead. Then when the temperature changed it became even worse as the product expanded or contracted as the temperature affected it. This would be especially concerning come winter time when there was rain turning to ice and snow. Rain would have built up under the panels then froze, and popped all the connection joints making the rink completely useless – not to mention unsafe for skating.

It’s an unfortunate lesson this family had to go through. Their new synthetic ice rink should have been an exciting experience and instead was frustrating and time consuming.

Inexpensive synthetic ice systems often mean shortcuts

We have always maintained that the only true way to make a strong, safe, and long term connection for hockey lines is to use the H-lock spline system between hockey lines and the synthetic ice panels. It takes a little more time to install and its generally more expensive however the result is undeniable. You will end up with a tight, secure joint that has no movement either horizontally or vertically. This is even more important where the seasonal temperatures can range from freezing to hot. Inexpensive synthetic ice systems generally mean shortcuts somewhere.

This client now understands only too well how frustrating that can be. Do your research, understand your application, and ask the suppliers all the tough questions. Synthetic ice systems are not created equally.

Synthetic ice allows you to play hockey or figure skate in any weather – and it’s far more affordable and easier to install than you might imagine. Whether you’re a serious ice-based athlete that needs to log on extra training time in your sport or just want to enjoy the fun of an outdoor skating rink all year long, a synthetic ice rink is the perfect solution. Synthetic ice rinks do not require any refrigeration and provide a realistic skating surface that’s perfect for serious training or just for fun. While you will notice a difference between synthetic ice and the real thing, your skills and level of enjoyment will still skyrocket when you practice on a home synthetic ice rink.

How Does a Synthetic Ice Skating Rink Work?

A synthetic ice skating rink uses a an engineered polymer material that mimics the look and feel of real ice, but can be used in any temperature. Because of its realistic feel and durability, the synthetic ice skating rink is the perfect choice for professional or recreational athletes, like hockey players  or figure skaters, who are away from the ice. It’s also a great option for hockey teams that need additional practice space. Synthetic ice rinks have been installed inside shopping malls or at outdoor entertainment centers and have become a huge hit – especially in warmer climates where ice skating rinks are hard to come by. Check out our blog post about a SmartRink synthetic ice rink that was installed in the Caribbean!

Creating an Even Skating Surface with Synthetic Ice Panels

With any good synthetic ice skating rink, interlocking synthetic ice panels lock together to create a large, even surface for skating. Since you need a totally smooth surface to skate on, it’s important that you find synthetic ice panels that interlock without any seams that might cause interruptions in the smooth flow of skating. With interlocking ice panels, you can create a rink as small or as large as you need. A rink made of interlocking panels can accommodate a single skater or a large crowd, depending on the size you order.

How to Find a High Quality Synthetic Ice Rink for Sale

Finding a high-quality synthetic ice rink for sale can be tough. There are many types of fake ice out there – and a lot of it is not top quality. It’s important to know what you’re buying, before you spend too much on synthetic ice rinks. A high-quality synthetic ice skating rink will provide a smooth glide that feels  similar to real ice, just a little more resistance. It will also produce little residue or excess shavings. Cheap rinks often “peel” and leave behind a lot of dusty, messy residue. This creates a A lot of extra maintenance work and can literally slow down skaters.

SmartRink panels are different than most of the competition because they’re made from Ice-Y-Blue700™ engineered material. This material is guaranteed to provide a superior skating experience, as well as a 100-percent satisfaction guaranteed promise.

Synthetic ice could be the perfect home solution

If you haven’t given serious thought to the idea of a synthetic ice rink, you might want to take another look at this unique option. Whether you’re a serious athlete that needs a 24/7 ice rink, or just looking for a fun recreational rink, synthetic ice is the perfect solution. In the past, synthetic ice skating rinks were fun, but didn’t offer the smooth ride that traditional ice does. New advances in technology have made synthetic ice better than ever –  much closer to the real thing  without the expense of maintaining a real ice skating rink.

Practice Makes Perfect on a Synthetic Ice Skating Rink

These days, it’s more important than ever to get an edge on your competition – and a synthetic ice skating rink is the perfect way to do it. Whether your sport is hockey or figure skating, getting in extra practice hours can be difficult. Finding a rink that’s available when you need it can be a huge hassle – not to mention the high cost of rink time rental. Synthetic ice skating rinks require an initial upfront investment, but these rinks more than pay for themselves over time. Plus, imagine being able to fit in those extra practice hours, anytime that it is convenient for you. It’s what the pros do, and all those extra hours will help you realize your professional dreams, too. If you’re looking for a sporting edge, a backyard ice skating rink, or synthetic ice rink in your basement or rec room may be just what you’re looking for.

Synthetic Ice Rinks are Better for the Environment

Synthetic ice rinks are an eco-friendly outdoor recreation option that everyone can enjoy – and feel good about using. With a synthetic skating rink, there is no electricity required to maintain the surface and no fuel or energy is used for ice-resurfacing equipment. Water is only required for cleaning and the use of  potentially harmful refrigeration gasses is not needed to keep it cool. In addition, all materials used in a synthetic ice rink are recyclable after their use, so there isn’t a large amount of landfill waste. Communities that are committed to “going green” are realizing that a synthetic rink is a great solution to provide an Earth-friendly recreational activity.

Synthetic Ice Panels Can Create Limitless Possibilities

SmartRink synthetic ice panels work by interlocking to create a synthetic ice rink that can be as small or as large as you need it. From individual-sized rinks to large recreational rinks, high-quality synthetic ice panels lock in place without any seams to trip up skaters. The result is a smooth surface that is perfect for home practice for all your favorite skating activities.

The SmartRink “ProFast” line of synthetic ice is made from Ice-Y-Blue700™ engineered material and provides a smooth glide, without messy residue or excessive shavings. To learn more about the SmartRink difference, visit our web site and discover why a synthetic ice rink is right for you.

Synthetic ice makes skating a reality at home

Imagine being able to ice skate or play hockey in any weather, anywhere – synthetic ice makes it a reality. It used to be, in order to train for hockey or figure skating, you needed sub-zero temperatures. Not anymore. Revolutionary new technology makes it possible to create a synthetic ice rink that can be used indoors or outdoors, at any temperature. Synthetic ice requires no refrigeration and provides a skating surface that allows you to do anything you would normally do on real ice. (more…)