Ice rink
A sheet of prepared ice, usually rink-boarded with rounded corners, used for skating and ice sports.
Overview
An ice rink is a smooth sheet of prepared ice used for skating and ice sports. Indoor rinks keep the ice frozen with a refrigeration system beneath the surface, allowing year-round use, while outdoor rinks may be natural or refrigerated.
Rinks used for ice hockey are enclosed by boards and have rounded corners, and the same shape suits figure skating, speed events and public sessions.
Good to know
- Indoor rinks use refrigeration pipes under the floor to keep the ice frozen.
- Hockey rinks are surrounded by boards topped with protective glass and have rounded corners.
- The ice is periodically resurfaced to keep it smooth for skating.
- The same rink can host ice hockey, figure skating, speed events and public skating.
Where it’s used
Sports that use ice rink:
Ice Hockey
A fast team sport on ice that combines skating skill with quick passing and goal-scoring.
Ice Skating
A graceful winter activity of gliding across ice on skates, from casual laps to disciplined skating.
Figure Skating
An artistic ice sport combining glides, spins, jumps and footwork into flowing routines.
Speed Skating
A racing sport on long-bladed skates, powering around an ice oval or tight indoor track with long, rhythmic strides.
Curling
A tactical team sport of sliding polished stones down a sheet of ice toward a target, with teammates sweeping to guide them.
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Playing surfaces
- IceA prepared, frozen sheet kept hard and smooth; its extremely low friction lets skaters, pucks and stones glide with very little resistance.
- WoodAn indoor sprung timber or parquet floor — grippy, consistent and lightly cushioned; the classic surface for indoor court sports.
- SandLoose beach sand: a soft, shifting, energy-sapping surface with no true bounce that rewards balance and footwork, used for beach sports and conditioning.
- TrailNatural off-road terrain of dirt, rock, roots, grass and mud that varies constantly and rewards surefootedness in trail running, mountain biking and hiking.
- MatA cushioned, padded mat surface for grappling, striking and floor work — it absorbs falls and throws and grips underfoot, cushioning grappling, throws and floor work.
Disciplines
- Short TrackShort track speed skating is contested on a compact oval of about 111 metres, where several skaters race together in a pack and finishing position decides the result.
- SinglesSingles is figure skating performed alone, with one skater presenting jumps, spins, and step sequences to music in separate men's and women's events.
- PairsPairs is skated by two partners who combine unison elements with lifts, throw jumps, twist lifts, and death spirals that are unique to the discipline.
- Ice danceIce dance is a couples discipline focused on rhythm, musical interpretation, and intricate footwork, without the throw jumps or overhead lifts of pairs.
- Synchronized skatingSynchronized skating is a team discipline in which a group of skaters moves as one unit through formations, emphasizing precision, timing, and unison.
Equipment
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Hockey stickA curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Badminton racketA lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
Muscle groups
- ShouldersThe rounded muscles capping the shoulder joint that lift and rotate the arms in every direction.
- ForearmsThe muscles of the lower arm that move the wrist and fingers and drive grip strength.
- BicepsThe muscles on the front of the upper arm that bend the elbow and turn the forearm.
- ObliquesThe muscles on the sides of the trunk that rotate and side-bend the torso and help brace the core.
- ChestThe broad muscles across the front of the ribcage that push the arms forward and across the body.
Beginner guides
- What to Bring to Your First SessionMost first sessions need far less than people expect — water, clothes you can move in, footwear that suits the surface and a few personal bits usually cover it, with any sport-specific kit noted on each sport's first-session page.
- Your First Tennis Session: What to ExpectA friendly, honest look at what actually happens at your first tennis session — how it is usually run, what tends to surprise beginners, and how to turn up relaxed and ready to enjoy it.
- Beginner Clothing and Equipment BasicsA calm, practical guide to what to wear and bring for a first session — comfort and freedom of movement first, borrow or hire before you buy, and footwear that matches the surface.
- How to Prepare for Your First SessionA calm, practical walkthrough of getting ready for your very first session of any sport — arriving prepared, easing the nerves, and setting one small, realistic aim.
- Your First Cycling Session: What to ExpectA first cycling session is usually a relaxed introduction to getting comfortable on the bike — finding your balance, pedalling smoothly, steering, and stopping safely — at a pace that suits you rather than a test of fitness or speed.