At my rink, all the wardens there are young hockey skate guys who charge around and don't pay much attention to others. Once I have seen them throw ice at each other (incidentally, this is forbidden at our rink) and sometimes they seem to enjoy swooshing right in front of you to show off.

What is up with that? What sort of qualifications do you need to become an ice rink warden?

I was thinking of trying to get a job like that when I'm 16 (as my summer/weekend job) because, well, you get PAID for SKATING... on the other hand, would I really fit into the warden crowd if it says like it is now? (retarded guys) And I've NEVER seen a figure skater warden.

Does anyone also know whether I could be a warden at 16 or would it have to be 18? And how much do they get paid?

Thanks

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They are exactly the same at mine, although they don't go on the ice much to be honest. In fact they don't do a lot, just ride on the ice machine while another does the ice cut I was there once and there was a massive group on, I can't remember the number but it was in the hundreds, and because the organiser didn't "book" stewards they wouldn't go on! My coach literally picked up some on the way across the ice!!!

Would you really WANT to work with people like that?!

Usually you just need to be able to skate. And they don't pay very much - usually free ice time, and that's about it.

Different rinks have different rules - you might be able to get a part-time job at the rink at 16, but go and ask. You're at Chelmsford Riverside, aren't you? I don't know what the rules are there, but as it's in a sports complex, they might be stricter than at stand-alone rinks. Streatham is currently advertising for 16-18-year-olds to run birthday parties, for instance, but whether they do that at Riverside, I don't know. All the skaters I know from there are adults!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

At one rink I used to go to, they had a rule that there had to be a skate guard if even one person was on the ice, and usually it was just me. I like to think I'm a somewhat competent skater, and the guard knew this, so he would usually just sit on the boards talking on the phone, or watching me. However, he used to try showing off in front of me occasionally. I'll never forget when I was there, I did a shoot the duck, and the guard says that it was so easy, anybody could do it. So I told him to try it. Which he did, and then promptly fell on his behind, feet up in the air. Had to be one of the funniest things ever.

I've seen a couple of figure skater guards, one male, one female. I think it could really help the atmosphere at the rink to have a more serious skater as a skate guard. As long as you are female, you'll have no trouble "fitting-in" as the male guards will generally be trying to make a good impression on you.

You might need to know first-aid, I don't know what the rules would be. Ask at the rink. There are also other positions at the rink that you could fill that would also give you free ice time (working the rentals etc).

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Me, on skating. Me, on me.
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I've seen some figure skater, and some recreational skater, skate guards. I did a little when I worked at the rink (I was 14-15 years old - my first job!). However (at least at the rink where I worked), employees were expected to work the skate rental, the concession stand, clean up, answer the phone, and be skate guards (if they could skate, that is). Of course, being the rink guard was the most fun job, so I was lucky to get to do this only about once a month. In other words, you couldn't just work as a skate guard. Pay was minimum wage. We didn't get any free ice time, but I've heard of rinks that do.

Hey Peanut, I think it would be great if you could be a guard! At our rink a few of the guards wear figure skates but most are hockey rats. I think that the biggest problem with hockey rasts as guards is that they get bored!! After all hockey isn't about skating for most of them, its about agression (not that that is all bad, I remember being a testosterone charged teenager and its awfully hard to be calm and play nice when you're all pumped up). Maybe you will be a good example. Good Luck!
Lyle

When I was skating first time round as a kid, when I was 14 I had to do a few weeks work experience.

I chose Alexandra Palace Ice Rink where I skated and did alot of varying jobs there, including stewarding, which involved skating and making sure people were safe, skate hire and checking safety probs on the rink.

I also spent some time on reception and helping to teach groups of kids to skate.

In return as they weren't allowed to pay me I got free ice time.

Definitely a good way of getting some free ice time and it will keep you even fitter in the process!

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If you want the best seat in the house, you'll have to move the cat!

At our rink, all the skate guards, except for one, are figure skaters including myself.

Four years ago when we had the hockey players as skate guards, it was this side of pandemonium. Since we have taken over, sessions are orderly. We have very few problems because the kids know if they start acting up, they are ejected from the ice after a couple of warnings.

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

I was wondering if Ally Pally took on people for work experience as stewards when I was there yesterday, believe it or not. Free ice time *dreams*. All the guys that steward there seem to be in hockey skates knocking people over, but a few of the girls are in figure skates, and ond of them the other day was practicing her jumps. That solves my problem when I get to year 10 then...

Helen, when one of my coach's skaters was on work experience, he took her on as a "shadow". He let her observe all his lessons, and comment - she had some very helpful comments, as I remember.

You may find your coach will let you do that! Worth asking - they can only say no.....

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

A fair few figure skaters steward at our rink, but many of them do so in hockey skates so you wouldn't know unless you already knew them. The one I asked said she didn't want to put a lot of extra wear on her expensive boots, and she found a cheap pair of hockey skates comfortable to just skate round the ice in.

If Jerry is still the manager there, then have a word with him...... He's usually really helpful, but it's definitely worth doing your work experience there and the staff were really helpful, so they'll make sure that you do lots of varied jobs there.

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If you want the best seat in the house, you'll have to move the cat!

Will do Tigger, thanks - only 2 years to go.

Yes, and have you seen the one who does twizzles in his hockey skates?

Fiona

It was probably the same one I saw doing backspins in hockey skates!


S xxx

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"