Good grief, I have called and emailed multiple times but..

[momof3chicks]

We are taking an extended beach vacation with our camper. DD's coaches would like her to at least practice 1x a week while we are gone to keep up some. I haven't been able to find anything using a web search.

Can anyone help?

[Isk8NYC]

www.arenamaps.com (http://www.arenamaps.com) came up with the Carousel Hotel on the beach:
http://www.carouselhotel.com/ocean-city-md-ice-rink.php

I've visited that hotel; it's very nice. I think they used to have an skating show during the summer that was cute.

IIRC, it was like a ballroom/mall rink setup.

[momof3chicks]

www.arenamaps.com (http://www.arenamaps.com) came up with the Carousel Hotel on the beach:
http://www.carouselhotel.com/ocean-city-md-ice-rink.php

I've visited that hotel; it's very nice. I think they used to have an skating show during the summer that was cute.

IIRC, it was like a ballroom/mall rink setup.

We tried that last year, but the 'rink', if you can call it that, is TEENY- and on the public skate sessions, they had all these little kids with those 'walkers without wheels' tearing up the ice.

I don't think that will do unfortunately. I need to find someplace with a freestyle session.

[Ellyn]

It doesn't seem as though there are many rinks in that area. How are you traveling, and how long will you be there? You might want to plan a skating stop en route. Once you're *in* Ocean City, you might have to drive over an hour to find a real freestyle session.

Here's what I could find:

http://www.talbotcountymd.gov/index.php?page=Community_Center_Ice_Rink
Not *very* close to Ocean City, and I can't tell whether they have any freestyle sessions at all.

http://www.skateatthefair.com/centre/
Slightly closer, and at least we know they have freestyle.

[momof3chicks]

It doesn't seem as though there are many rinks in that area. How are you traveling, and how long will you be there? You might want to plan a skating stop en route. Once you're *in* Ocean City, you might have to drive over an hour to find a real freestyle session.

Here's what I could find:

http://www.talbotcountymd.gov/index.php?page=Community_Center_Ice_Rink
Not *very* close to Ocean City, and I can't tell whether they have any freestyle sessions at all.

http://www.skateatthefair.com/centre/
Slightly closer, and at least we know they have freestyle.

I know!! I came up with the same things- I was amazed there was nothing else obviously around. I was hoping someone here might be in a club in the area.

[Skate@Delaware]

The next closest rink to the Carousel is the one in Harrington, DE, about 1.5 hours away. Open until June 14.

After that, it's the loooooong drive up to newark, DE to the University of Delaware or Wilmington, DE. A lot of people do that every summer. From the beach area. to skate. In the summer.

or cross-train.

www.skateatthefair.com (http://www.skateatthefair.com) for the harrington rink (my rink) Which, by the way, allows you to do pretty much anything as long as it isn't too crowded (not Friday or Saturday night skates, tho-too many kids). Days are fairly empty sessions. $5 skates. Sundays are deserted. Freestyles are $$ at $12 for 45 minutes; I'd suggest arriving when you can get a 2-hour public session and cram it all in.

or
University of Delaware
http://www.udel.edu/icearena/

Wilmington (skate club of Wilmington)
http://www.wilmicesk8.com/

good luck!

ps-some of our skaters still skate at the Carousel (they live down that way) and have told me that the ice has "sand" and minerals in it-your blades will dull a bit more. The ice is a bit softer as well, because it's a warmer rink. The rinks get progressively colder the further north you go. Harrington is a bit colder but still soft, UofDE is hard & very cold. Skate Club of Wilmington is hard & cold as well. All the ice at these three rinks is very nice. The Carousel-it's not as nice but it's a novel experience.

[momof3chicks]

The next closest rink to the Carousel is the one in Harrington, DE, about 1.5 hours away. Open until June 14.

After that, it's the loooooong drive up to newark, DE to the University of Delaware or Wilmington, DE. A lot of people do that every summer. From the beach area. to skate. In the summer.

or cross-train.

www.skateatthefair.com (http://www.skateatthefair.com) for the harrington rink (my rink) Which, by the way, allows you to do pretty much anything as long as it isn't too crowded (not Friday or Saturday night skates, tho-too many kids). Days are fairly empty sessions. $5 skates. Sundays are deserted. Freestyles are $$ at $12 for 45 minutes; I'd suggest arriving when you can get a 2-hour public session and cram it all in.

or
University of Delaware
http://www.udel.edu/icearena/

Wilmington (skate club of Wilmington)
http://www.wilmicesk8.com/

good luck!

ps-some of our skaters still skate at the Carousel (they live down that way) and have told me that the ice has "sand" and minerals in it-your blades will dull a bit more. The ice is a bit softer as well, because it's a warmer rink. The rinks get progressively colder the further north you go. Harrington is a bit colder but still soft, UofDE is hard & very cold. Skate Club of Wilmington is hard & cold as well. All the ice at these three rinks is very nice. The Carousel-it's not as nice but it's a novel experience.

Thanks, my kids don't get out of school until June 19, so we will be down from then until the 4th of July. I cannot believe there is nothing closer. UGH. So I guess Harrington is out. Thanks for the other links, we may have to make just one trip in the middle of the vacation. My husband will think I am nuts.

[Skate@Delaware]

Thanks, my kids don't get out of school until June 19, so we will be down from then until the 4th of July. I cannot believe there is nothing closer. UGH. So I guess Harrington is out. Thanks for the other links, we may have to make just one trip in the middle of the vacation. My husband will think I am nuts.

No more nuts than everyone else. Keep it up at the Carousel....hey, it's ice after all! Plus, it's a nice break from the beach!

It's too long a drive for me-I don't even make it to the beach as much and that's only 20 minutes away--beach traffic, you know ;).

If we are open with the plastic surface down, I'll post it (but don't hold your breath, Jerry hates that stuff!!!!).

[momof3chicks]

No more nuts than everyone else. Keep it up at the Carousel....hey, it's ice after all! Plus, it's a nice break from the beach!

It's too long a drive for me-I don't even make it to the beach as much and that's only 20 minutes away--beach traffic, you know ;).

If we are open with the plastic surface down, I'll post it (but don't hold your breath, Jerry hates that stuff!!!!).

Yes, maybe I can just figure out a time that isn't overly crowded and they can work on spins or something smallish so the ice surface isn't so much an issue.

[Skate@Delaware]

Not sure if they changed (I'm going on old info here) but you used to be able to skate all day for one fee....might want to call them and ask about it. I think they stamp your hand or do the wrist band thing.

There was an artificial surface planned for Fruitland/Salisbury, MD area, but I havent heard any more about it (Crown Sports Complex).

[momof3chicks]

Not sure if they changed (I'm going on old info here) but you used to be able to skate all day for one fee....might want to call them and ask about it. I think they stamp your hand or do the wrist band thing.

There was an artificial surface planned for Fruitland/Salisbury, MD area, but I havent heard any more about it (Crown Sports Complex).


An artificial surface?? Like faux ice?

[Isk8NYC]

Yes, maybe I can just figure out a time that isn't overly crowded and they can work on spins or something smallish so the ice surface isn't so much an issue.
Call and ask. They can probably tell you the least crowded times or if they have unadvertised ice time for this situation .

[Skate@Delaware]

An artificial surface?? Like faux ice?

Yes. the plastic stuff. That was the word a year or two ago, but I haven't heard any more about it. It was a thought for us...not that far away (50 minutes) and altho it dulls blades a bit more it's great for building up the legs.

Not sure if they followed through with it-haven't heard and if so, it wasn't listed on their website so I dropped the link.

[Schmeck]

The plastic stuff might have the oil prep on it (especially if it is new?) so don't skate on it wearing anything nice, in case of a fall.

[Skate@Delaware]

The plastic stuff might have the oil prep on it (especially if it is new?) so don't skate on it wearing anything nice, in case of a fall.

It is supposed to get sprayed daily with a water-based silicone....but the most common maintenance is a light sweeping and periodic vacuuming (i'm NOT kidding about that!). I did the maintenance on our surface about two years ago during our summer "ice" show.

You tend to get the little white "burrs" over everything. Don't rub your face. Keep Lysol antibacterial kitchen wipes for wiping down everything (it gets it off your blades better but still wash your hands). Everything came out in the wash though.

It wasn't cold, so you can wear lighter layers, but still keep pants on because if you fall you will get abraded. And yes, we still wore gloves for that same reason.

[momof3chicks]

no call back. I decided to just do as someone suggested and contact the Carousel Hotel to see if dd could get some ice time outside of public skate hours. I cannot get a live person who has a clue to call me back. I am TRYING to give them money - :giveup:

[Debbie S]

FYI, I am almost positive the rink in Easton (Talbot County Community Center) is a seasonal rink and is closed for the summer (they use the space for other activities).

You're only going to be gone for 2 weeks. Why not just give your daughter a break? Everyone needs a break once in a while. She's not going to forget skills after only 2 weeks.

[CanadianAdult]

A yearly training plan can take into account vacation periods, light and active rest. Why not ask your coaches for some off ice activities to work on instead, like stretching or plyometrics. Even the elite skaters take long breaks from their skates. What exactly would they want your child to do in that once a week ice session that you're searching for?

[Clarice]

I agree with taking a break. I used to stress over finding ice on vacation when my daughter was little, but the summer I couldn't get any because of a hockey camp, she didn't skate for over a week and was just fine when we got back. I never bothered after that. Just like it doesn't hurt a good student to miss a day of school here and there for a competition, it doesn't hurt a skater to take a little time off during the year. The suggestion of off-ice activities instead is a good one, but keep it fun. Go swimming, take a hike, play tennis, and call it cross-training. It's your vacation - have fun!

[jskater49]

We took a 3 week vacation to Italy. No skating. Coach gave my daughter off ice exercises...she came home stronger and better.

[momof3chicks]

I agree with taking a break. I used to stress over finding ice on vacation when my daughter was little, but the summer I couldn't get any because of a hockey camp, she didn't skate for over a week and was just fine when we got back. I never bothered after that. Just like it doesn't hurt a good student to miss a day of school here and there for a competition, it doesn't hurt a skater to take a little time off during the year. The suggestion of off-ice activities instead is a good one, but keep it fun. Go swimming, take a hike, play tennis, and call it cross-training. It's your vacation - have fun!

It is a thought of course, she just started landing her axel, moving even- so I hate to see backward progress. Maybe we will just take the skates and see- if it is foul weather maybe we'll go, if not, maybe we'll skip it.

[Clarice]

If she's just starting to land her axel, it's going to come and go for awhile anyway, whatever you do. If you can get some ice time, great! But I wouldn't stress over it.

[kayskate]

Buy her a pair of rockered inlines, Picskates or Snow White.They are great for building power and she can skate on any flat surface. Get some crash gear too. Asphalt tears up the knees. Even a regular pair of inlines or quads for xtraining would be fun.

Kay