Backyard Rink

[Langenbrunner15 0]

I feel like there's a thread like this but I havent seen on yet....Anyways it's that time of year...the greatest of all..backyard rinks should be good to go by now. I've got a pretty nice size one in my backyard that i've been skating on for the last two weeks or so. Anyone else have one that wants to share a picture? Tomorrow I might be able to get one up here.

[jds 20]

I've been on my for a few weeks as well. Loving the cold snap. Mine is not that big but perfect for taking shots on my son who is starting as a goalie. Pics coming

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Haven't built one for two years, but plan on it next year B)

[kakos26 0]

my one buddy's dad has one every year, I can try and get a pic of it. Its good enough for some 2 on 2 shinny

[tamtamg 12]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

[english15x 3]

pictures guys? id like to see some

[LivHockey84 0]

I got one, just a 10X20 for stick handling & shooting.

[Hidious 0]

I posted these pics last year. The city installs the boards and the neighborhood takes car of it.

I'm so exhausted from shoveling all this damn snow... Still have the hardest part to do.

Rink 1

Rink 2

Rink 3

Rink 4

Rink 5

[MTG35 0]

Had my first small rink last year...made it bigger this year...will be even bigger next year. I'm officially addicted. It is so great to be able to skate anytime you feel like it. Throw on the NHL network get pumped and go skate. Or watch some youtube skate drill videos and go out and work on it. My game has improved so much from having the rink. Now I just need better lights.

[B19Kress 0]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

how big?

[Gidney14 0]

my uncle who lives next door built one...not done yet be it getting there

[tamtamg 12]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

how big?

I'm horrible at estimating size but maybe 35'x30' ish. For people who've done this before, would it be ok to start flooding the rink if the high temps are going to be around freezing for the next week or so? Or should i just hold off.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

how big?

I'm horrible at estimating size but maybe 35'x30' ish. For people who've done this before, would it be ok to start flooding the rink if the high temps are going to be around freezing for the next week or so? Or should i just hold off.

When I built a rink two years ago, I flooded it too early. It ended up fine. If it's going to be cold soon, I would flood it now.

[B19Kress 0]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

how big?

I'm horrible at estimating size but maybe 35'x30' ish. For people who've done this before, would it be ok to start flooding the rink if the high temps are going to be around freezing for the next week or so? Or should i just hold off.

Let me know if you need anyone to skate it with you

[jds 20]

I'm just waiting for this upcoming warm spell to be over before I flood my rink. It's supposed to be 32-38 degrees til the end of the week. Can't wait though, it's gonna be the first backyard rink I've ever had.

how big?

I'm horrible at estimating size but maybe 35'x30' ish. For people who've done this before, would it be ok to start flooding the rink if the high temps are going to be around freezing for the next week or so? Or should i just hold off.

When I built a rink two years ago, I flooded it too early. It ended up fine. If it's going to be cold soon, I would flood it now.

If you are using a liner then you can flood it now but just watch for twigs/branches etc that could freeze into the surface should they fall in the water. The beauty of the liner I found last year was that the rink could thaw and freeze, thaw and freeze as the weather fluctuates without having to start again-the tarp holds the water.

[tamtamg 12]

thanks for the info guys. but i think I might hold off on the flooding. I don't know how water proof my liner is because i duct taped a few pieces together to cover the entire surface. And I think the day when it's supposed to be 38 degrees, all the ice will melt.

Let me know if you need anyone to skate it with you

yah, I was thinking about doing a mini msh winter classic on it, except with a lot less talent and a lot more beer. seems to be a lot of members in this town, probably cold get something going on it.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

If you flood when it's too warm, the water will take forever to freeze, so you have to put it on in small amounts. If it's below -10 C, you can pretty much put as much water as you want and it should be frozen overnight.

If you put a lot of water down and you don't move the hose frequently, you'll find that the incoming water will melt a way through the ice you have. It will then start to form little rivers underneath the ice. This isn't a problem unless the temperatures aren't cold enough.

Having said all this, if you're worried about a leak, the best time to check for it is when it's warm. If there's a leak, it'll be obvious fairly quickly.

[LivHockey84 0]

thanks for the info guys. but i think I might hold off on the flooding. I don't know how water proof my liner is because i duct taped a few pieces together to cover the entire surface. And I think the day when it's supposed to be 38 degrees, all the ice will melt.

Let me know if you need anyone to skate it with you

yah, I was thinking about doing a mini msh winter classic on it, except with a lot less talent and a lot more beer. seems to be a lot of members in this town, probably cold get something going on it.

im in livonia, i may come

[english15x 3]

thanks for the info guys. but i think I might hold off on the flooding. I don't know how water proof my liner is because i duct taped a few pieces together to cover the entire surface. And I think the day when it's supposed to be 38 degrees, all the ice will melt.

Let me know if you need anyone to skate it with you

yah, I was thinking about doing a mini msh winter classic on it, except with a lot less talent and a lot more beer. seems to be a lot of members in this town, probably cold get something going on it.

watch this video, it has the basic tips

[TheHerminator22 0]

I don't have one in my backyard because it would take too much time and work that I dont have available, but I do live 5 minutes away from a pond where me and my friends play some pure, genuine pond hockey.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Once this wram spell is over and the ice looks good again i'll throw up a picture. My rink is 50x60 so its a perfect size for just me or a couple of kids.

[MTG35 0]

Yeah yesterday and today have been pretty depressing (because of the warm air and melting ice). I'm glad I got a couple real good skates in on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

We actually went to public skate last night since we couldn't skate on the backyard rink. Holy cow what it was more like a teenager night club than a skating rink :o . I guess when you have your own ice available anytime for what ever type of skating you want you start to become a skate snob :D . Not that there's anything wrong with it.

[tro 4]

Little Rink for the kids, Shooting Range for the Dad, wife says no rink next year with the new fence coming in, well see about that

[NuggyBuggy 0]

Here's some picture sof the rink I have at my cottage.

My 3-year old Zamboni working for his dinner:

I make my wife work for her dinner too.

[Hidious 0]

Very nice NuggyBuggy. Is there a pond underneath?

This is exactly the kind of life i'm aiming for. A nice house in the countryside, a little Sidney Crosby to train with and a beautiful wife to shovel :P Add a couple of playful dogs and i'm in paradise!