Iceless Skating Rinks in Japan

Kean Wong:
No ice, no problem --eco-friendly and cost-friendly iceless rinks may soon be an alternative to conventional ice-skating rinks in Japan. Although more work needs to be done to make skating on the artificial surface more ice-like, iceless rinks could potentially save owners thousands in air conditioning and water bills.

Soon, this eco and cost-friendly iceless rink may become an alternative to ever-shrinking skating rinks in Japan.

It was originally manufactured by Spanish company XtraIce, and now manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics in Japan. The large resin-based panels allow figure eights and hockey hat tricks without an ice-laying Zamboni.

After trying skating routines on the plastic rink, here's what one amateur ice-skater had to say.

[Risa Mochizuki, Ice Skater]:
"There aren't enough rinks in Japan, so this is definitely a plus. It may be difficult to practice everything on this rink surface, but it's good for partial moves like spins and steps."

The popularity of skating has soared in Japan with the success of professional skaters like Mao Asada and other stars. But at the same time, numerous rinks across the country are closing down due to financial difficulties.

[Hideo Iwano, GM, Mitsubishi Plastics]:
"With the rise of Japanese top skaters in world competition, more young Japanese are trying to find a spot for ice skating lessons. But there aren't enough rinks and lessons, so kids tend to leave for another sport while waiting. We hope to provide more skating opportunities for those young skaters, raising the overall number of skaters in Japan."

Mitsubishi Plastics says the technology can save rinks up to $190,000 U.S. dollars a year in air conditioning and water bills.

The panel will hit the Japanese market in June... however inquiries from local skating rinks, organizations, and teams have already surged.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ntd
• ntdtv
• news
• ice
• skating
• rinks
• material
• cheap
• panel
• japan
• skate
• xtraIce
• mitsubishi
• plastics
• resin-based

[ikachanusa]

I wonder what it feels like...

This is a great idea!

If this ice-less rink is used in Countries in South,we may be able to have Winter Olympic in Africa and South America!

[Fragacide]

I see problems with this. At the end you notice that just on the demo floor, the plastic had a bunch of indentions. That'll only increase over time and prolonged use. Skating rinks would have to replace it at least once a month or so. May still be cheaper then the icey alternative.

[TallRobby]

first asian - brit i have ever heard lol!

[SuperExpressway]

@Revis did he take an arrow to the knee?

[MrJohnnyDistortion]

@drummerwes81 Even worse;your ankles would completely break "off",leaving your skates stuck upright in the "plastice", bleeding to death from your ankles.

[MrJohnnyDistortion]

@ikachanusa Very unlikely because of the other sports,skiing for example.

[Kryistalia]

my question is what happens when you tear it up to much to skate on anymore...i mean its gotta get ripped up like normal ice right?

[IceMagicInt]

Synthetic Ice rinks are available from Ice-magic com

Come visit us

[HelTra91]

i'm not a figure skater, but i would think it would be scary to dig your toe pick into that for jumps.

[Revis]

@ikachanusa

my friend used to have one of these that was basicly a treadmill for skaters...the coolest thing ever

[bunnyinskates]

What happens when figure skaters make holes?

[MrGrog88]

i love how the bloke almost lost it