On Jun 4, 8:04 pm, Vick444~No Sp...@aei.ca wrote:
> On Fri, 23 May 2008 06:36:06 -0700 (PDT), blueskates
>
>
>
> <blueskates1...@aol.com> wrote:
> >On May 20, 5:55 pm, Vick444~No Sp...@aei.ca wrote:
> >> Iceless Skating Rinks in Japan
>
> >> 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 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.
>
> >>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLtgJiypCWg
>
> >> Recent addition of May 18, 2008.
> >> Thank you kindly to the individual posters.
>
> >WOW!
>
> a few more...
>
> http://inventorspot.com/articles/iceless_skating_rinks_cool_idea_a_wa...
>
> The Japanese have invented iceless skating rinks.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psxfl04fxmo
>
> Xtraice Japan Iceless Skating
> synthetic ice ecological skate skatinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYFwWs790Q
>
> Xtraice Ecological Ice Rinks
> Xtraice sliding demo in Germany.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSiz6JsUmaAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prJhb8CWYmg
>
> Syn-Ice Synthetic Skating Surfacehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHJ0JmYbXp0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLSJWaZN5whttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kDAn2IrRKghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al5k7nNZIhM

I would like to install these panels in my basement. Maybe someday.

Thanks for the links.