Originally Posted by Glaswegian

It's great isn't it? Got yourself a helmet yet??

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

The size limit is 50 X 50 now - maybe it was too big??
Tried going into my forum and reloading it?

Originally Posted by michele

Might need more than a helmet full body armour maybe more appropriate!!

Originally Posted by michele

Thanks will give it a go

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

Hockey pants might help - depends if you're landing on your butt or your head!

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

I know what you mean - I tried skating for the first time in almost 20 years last winter - it really gets your legs at first. I was hobbling around with one hand on the barrier while my kids zipped around the rink. One of the good things about coming here is it does your health good - there's lots of opportunity for exercise. You lose weight real fast as long as you don't hit Tim Horton's afterwards :)

Originally Posted by michele

:) Thats what's so great about it here there are loads of things to do I do quite a bit of walking as it is, taking the dog for a walk in the park downtown tonight weather permitting and we can't wait for the ski season to start, I've never done it myself but hubby loves it and the girls are really looking forward to it. It's great that they can do so many things instead of being stuck inside everyday in England because I wouldn't let them play out on the front at least here there are so many opportunities for them. Am feeling really good about being in Canada now hope it lasts.

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

It's great isn't it? Got yourself a helmet yet??

Originally Posted by Toontje

Shouldn't that be: It's great, eh? :)

Once you've learned how to skate (or ride a bicycle) you'll never forget it.

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

Nope you need a helmet .... it stops the recurring visions of your grey matter splattering across the ice.

Courage doesn't stop you fracturing your skull or getting concussion, it promotes them - a helmet reduces the chance of both :D

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

I thought about it - unfortunately my kids play hockey at those ungodly hours - I have to be at 6am hockey games in places like High River and Indus.

Originally Posted by iaink

Did anyone out there try the adult skating lessons (obviously only attended by immigrants (and my canadian wife)) Our Local Parks and Rec department runs them, the only downside is the ungodly ice time they are scheduled for, early saturday morning. I got as far as learning cross cuts and then gave it up in favour of a lie in. Still cant do backwards crosscuts, but thats pretty advanced for a Brit I think. Backyard rink is the next step :eek:

Originally Posted by dingbat

So sad...my son asked me no to tell anyone that we were related. :o

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

I know the feeling - the worse bit is when you get ten year olds stopping to tell you "you're doing really well", while your own kids go zipping round the ice.



A backyard rink is easy to do. The first year we got one of the giant plastic bag ones - fill it with water, allow ENOUGH time for it to freeze and then pull the top bit of the bag off. The ice wasn't perfect, but it was fine for my kids to learn to skate on. The second year I got some lumber, made a frame and used a plastic sheet for the bottom - I seem to remember the only problem was mild weather.

You can get the plastic bag instant rinks from Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc.

If you want to get the lumber and build a frame, go ask at the Home Depot.

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

I've got the urban advantage there - no shortage of water! There's also a free to use outdoor rink across the park from the house, as well as the three double arenas within a ten minute drive. Now I remember why I came to Calgary ....

Originally Posted by guigr

If some of you need a guide for backyard rink building here is a good article about it
Hockey really is fun, don't understand why it is so unpopular back in Europe.
It has been six months since I am in Montreal and all I can say is Go Habs Go!

Originally Posted by iaink

One thing that doesnt say is ...and I cant stress this enough...DONT LET ANY LEAVES GET IN THE WATER BEFORE OR AFTER IT FREEZES.

Leaves heat up in the sun, resulting in nice pits in the ice that are a pain to fix.

Did eventually make my back yard rink without resorting to the water truck. All you really need is patience and a big tarp, plus some wood to support the tarp (we used logs). Well worth the effort, but this year its going the other side of the yard, further from the trees!

Originally Posted by finallygotout

That is absolutely fab, I envy that backyard.

Originally Posted by iaink

Aye, snow's great...dont have to cut it :) That's the great thing about this area...lots of land for not much $. One of the few things my OH and I agree on is that we love our yard.

Originally Posted by finallygotout

What....you disagree on every other stuff? :D

Originally Posted by iaink

"You might think that, I couldnt possibly comment" ;) Its a long story!

Originally Posted by iaink

"You might think that, I couldnt possibly comment" ;) Its a long story!