Comments on: 8 Rinks (Burnaby, Metro Vancouver) ice hockey skating lessons review

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:43:43 +0000

Any suggestions for a 9 year old boy as to how to start hockey now and where? Have we missed the boat?

Reply from Peter: The course I reviewed might not be the most suitable, but there is usually a large variety of classes starting at different times of the year. I’d suggest contacting your local rinks and/or community centre.

By: Matthew P

Matthew P — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:38:28 +0000

http://rinkrat.ca – Vancouver and Lower Mainland Drop-In Hockey Directory

Very detailed list of drop-in hockey and stick & puck times at ice arenas in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, etc.

Enjoy.

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:54:27 +0000

I am looking for a website or sheet with some information regarding stick and pucks in vancouver

By: The Hockey Community

The Hockey Community — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:32:57 +0000

Hi Peter,

I made a website which merge all the stick and puck and skating sessions around Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, etc.

I was so pissed to spend my time to look for them so I made a dynamic platform with all the rinks and hockey sessions:

http://thehockeycommunity.com

Hope it will help!

Alex

Reply from Peter: Nice idea!

By: Salman

Salman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:16:25 +0000

Hey Peter, Im 18 years old started playing hockey when I was 16. My wrist, slap and snap shots are great and I can really shoot the puck. As far as my skating is concerned, its not as good as it should be. I can skate fast and also stop but only to one side which is my right. I find backward crossovers to my right difficult. Will these lessons be beneficial for me?

Thanks.

Reply from Peter: I’m no hockey expert, but it sounds like level 1 or even level 2 would be beneficial.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:59:33 +0000

my daughter and i want to to take roller hockey lessons or just learn to roller blade either will do since its roller hockey we r after.

for her it will be actually lerning how to skate as for me i kinda know how to already and want to put that tward goaltendinbg in roller hockey. anyone know a place where they will teach u to skate inline for hockey or regular skating? we r looking for somewhere in surrey.

fialhosteve@hotmail.com

Reply from Peter: I don’t know of such a thing, but if it exists I might also be interested!

By: passerby

passerby — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:44:20 +0000

Speaking from my personal experience, if you’re new to skating and want to play ice hockey, I’d recommend that you take ice skating lessons first and work on strengthening your skating fundamentals and balance.
Although these courses are entry level courses, if you cannot skate you will struggle with a lot of the drills. It’s not a "learn how to skate" course, it’s a hockey course which does have a level of expectation that you can somewhat skate.
Don’t get me wrong it was a very good class when I took it. I think I would have gotten more out of it if I had taken baby steps and worked on a better skating foundation first.
If you’re around Metro Van area, 8-Rinks and Britannia Community Center offer skating lessons which is a great place to start.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:11:00 +0000

Hi Simon,

To make sure, you should call the rink directly. However, I’ll happily provide my thoughts here You should have full gear for the course, as there are short scrimmages and flying pucks. During the course I took, we also did some drills that involved battling for the puck along the boards and other similar physical contact. As for hockey rules, the course is dedicated more to technique, and thus any rules learned are incidental. You can certainly ask the coaches your questions about hockey rules during the sessions, but for a full intro I’d do other research, such as online or by watching games on TV. Good luck!

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:43:30 +0000

Hey Peter,

Looking for an Adult beginner ice hockey course and found your blog. Do I need full gear for this course? Absolutely new to ice hockey and very limited skating experience… do they teach basic hockey rules and basic intro to the game?

By: david

david — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:37:48 +0000

We’re big family skaters. North and West Vancouver rinks are our stomping ground. Nice staff, wonderful ice, like new skates, and rates (inc rentals) of $2-3.5/person.

Today Nov 15/08 we visted Kitsilano ice rink. First, the skates were over 10yrs old (staff said 10-20). Second the price inc rental was $5/person. Third the ice was a pool on one end and had holes the size of saucers, an inch deep, the other. My daughter twisted her ankle in one, so we sat down on the team benches. 30 seconds later a rude staff member told us to get out. Why, I asked? In North and West Van public can use the benches beside the ice and moreover for watching young kids (my daughter is 5) the bleachers and the changing area are too far. No, get out they said rudely. Whats the reason I asked? We can’t monitor you they said. Well I can’t mointor my daughter and I doubt you can monitor those bleachers pointing high up. Well its parks board policy she said. Show me the signs staing so, I asked. Oh they’ve been taken down she said. I then demanded a refund, which they refused. I then proceeded to tell them this was the worst service for the highest price for public skating in the lower mainland. They said yes you’re probably right. We will never go again to any Vancouver Parks Board site, and for all Vancouverites and visitors (incl Olympics in 2010) come to the North and West Van rinks. Cheap, friendly and great service!