Synthetic Ice

[undercoverbrother]

I am thinking about getting some synthetic ice for our basement. Both kids play hockey. The both are down there shooting and playing a lot. The boy is a goalie and I wonder if it would help with his mov't if he was on synthetic ice.


Has anyone used it?

Does anyone have reviews, postive or negative?

Suggest a place to purchase it, and price point suggestions/advice.

[bc-chris]

i found this...

http://www.ezglide350.com/video_gallery.php

it would be a blast to have this in a basement!

[bc-chris]

looks like you can order something online from home depot....

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/synt...re-feet/814470


$300 for 24 sq ft

+ you have to get some cleaner at $30/bottle!

[undercoverbrother]

Thanks, have you been on it or used it?

[Keselke]

Wow pretty cool, you can also skate on it which is amazing to me.

I wonder what the durability is like, a sheet of ice you run the Zamboni over, but what do you do for this once ruts and pits form?

[calgarygeologist]

I've only been on those skating treadmills before and it was many years ago (quite possibly around the same time the machines were first introduced) and I found it to be rather awkward and strange. Maybe these ice surfaces are better now.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Keselke

Wow pretty cool, you can also skate on it which is amazing to me.

I wonder what the durability is like, a sheet of ice you run the Zamboni over, but what do you do for this once ruts and pits form?

Those are good questions, which is why I started this thread.


I havn't been on it, but my son would be on it everyday, that is why I want to find out if it is worth while.

[Keselke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Those are good questions, which is why I started this thread.


I havn't been on it, but my son would be on it everyday, that is why I want to find out if it is worth while.

Yeah kinda hijacked the thread there...

From the website


"The lifespan of EZ Glide 350 is indefinite, under normal and expected use. EZ Glide 350 panels are constructed of a solid polymer mixture throughout their entire thickness. The panels are reversible to allow skating on both sides. As EZ Glide 350 becomes scratched from normal skating use, skating speed increases. The surface performs better the more you use it! Expect many years of great skating per side. "

that's from the Ezglide website, not rona. And they sell it for 598 for a 6x8 Sheet

I wonder what the quality difference is(if any)

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Those are good questions, which is why I started this thread.


I havn't been on it, but my son would be on it everyday, that is why I want to find out if it is worth while.

A lot of cruise ships have started putting synthetic ice surfaces on board. Maybe see if you can find some reviews that way?

[calgarygeologist]

Here is a former Jets review of a synthetic surface:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/videos/te...y/932865434001

Do a search to see if you can find any shops in Calgary that have a surface that you can skate on. I thought I had heard about an equipment shop previously that had a surface for testing skates in the store but I can't recall which shop that was.

[Ragz]

Pro Hockey Life in Cross Iron Mills has a little area of synthetic ice by the skates. Never used it before, but notice it.

[photon]

Or maybe... synthetic kids?

[Coach]

Synthetic ice usually pretty decent, although it ruins you're blades, so if they get older and get really into it, I would recommend two pairs of skates.

The player might have a little difficulty with it, especially in a smaller space. If nothing else itll help his balance and his shot. It's close but it's definitely not ice. The goaltender would likely benefit quite a bit from it.

[Northendzone]

Goalies will not be able to butterfly slide and backside push on this stuff.

That being said, Ian my opinion it would not be a bad thing if your son put on his player skates and skated a lot on this stuff - goalies need to be the best skaters on the team.

If you buy this stuff, get the kids a spare pair of skates. This stuff takes the edge right off skates....

[Csquared]

Definitely destroys your blades, skating for a few minutes pretty much ruins a sharpening.
Heritage park has synthetic ice in the winter in their plaza though they may have taken it out now. Skillz has synthetic ice as well so you could go there to try it out and see if you like it.
There are some large differences between the brands/types of synthetic ice however I don't really remember much about them.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Goalies will not be able to butterfly slide and backside push on this stuff.

That being said, Ian my opinion it would not be a bad thing if your son put on his player skates and skated a lot on this stuff - goalies need to be the best skaters on the team.

If you buy this stuff, get the kids a spare pair of skates. This stuff takes the edge right off skates....

Never understood this and this is never the case. While coaching I have never expected this out of any goalie. They ned to know how to skate but I'd much prefer them to be the best puck stopper on the team and focus more on that.

And yes your kids will need a second set of skates. Get it and try it if you don't like it dump it off on Kijiji. I've found it really helps the kids with their shot but never had the space to set it up at home for skating.

[Northendzone]

^ that is my opinion after watching some of the really good goalies at various goalie camps my son has been too......thier movements need to be deliberate and powerful and they need to hav ethe ability to stop instantly. in addition they need deal with the choas in front of the net.

hard to stop the puck if you are unable to move across the net. youg goalies should really be spending almost half of the practice on skating drills; however, most of those kids just want to stop pucks.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by photon

Or maybe... synthetic kids?

wait are they cheaper than real?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ that is my opinion after watching some of the really good goalies at various goalie camps my son has been too......thier movements need to be deliberate and powerful and they need to hav ethe ability to stop instantly. in addition they need deal with the choas in front of the net.

hard to stop the puck if you are unable to move across the net. youg goalies should really be spending almost half of the practice on skating drills; however, most of those kids just want to stop pucks.

It's a different type of skating though. Goaltenders need to be able to move side to side very quickly with power, and within a defined/confined space. Players need that explosivness too, but also need high top-end speed and efficient strides. Goaltenders need to move efficiently too, but it's different.

[photon]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

wait are they cheaper than real?

Unfortunately I don't know either.