Paradice Ice Skating Area - Botany Downs product reviews

Being a very short trip from my home, this seems an ideal place to escape the weather. It doesn't matter if it is cold or hot outside; either way you will appreciate the difference. Skating around will soon warm you up making it an ideal place to escape the cold weather - if that doesn't sound too 'double dutch'.

The little zimmer-frames-on-ice were a useful and dare I say 'unique' addition to the rink. I've been to many rinks and have never seen these gadgets around before. Very useful to help the kids who have never skated before to find their feet. I did wonder if they made an adult size - to help those adults get over their fear of falling on their bum.

For the entry price and the time allowed to skate, this venue offers good value for money. It is somewhere where you can visit every week if need be and not break the bank. Damned fine exercise too. I do wonder if I went skating every week whether I would begin to lose the walrus like lard accumulating in my abdomen - or whether I would accumulate a thicker layer? Who knows; but it is worth finding out.

Being total tourists to the Botany Downs area, it took us a little bit to find our way, but once we were oriented, it was simplicity itself to locate Paradice... the big glowing signage was a subtle hint that we had arrived. Ample parking onsite, with lots more at the nearby shopping malls.

The staff were very warm, in obvious opposite to the venue. They kindly offered us free use of their newest acquisition, the Executive Skates. These purported to offer more comfort and support then standard boots... but alas, they are proving so popular that by the time we arrived a mere half hour after opening, they were already out of stock of any boots larger than a size 7. However, with a new shipment due by early July '07, it should be soon be more likely to get some if you are prompt.

Something that really impressed me was the steel A-frames for kids 6 and under. Taking a 6 year old along thus proved a smart choice, as we got to see him go from falling on his butt every 30 seconds, to being so confident after an hour and a half that he voluntarily handed it off to another youngster and started pottering around on his own, managing to do a full circuit of the rink with only one fall, which he laughed off.

The big screen TV at one end of the rink was stunning, and the occasional music video gave us something else to look at other than the ice I kept face-planting into... I forgot all I had learned from my childhood visits to the Avondale rink, and at one point fell quite badly, pulling a muscle in my leg... made driving a bit rough the next day. I suspect the 'Executive Skates' would have offered my ankles enough extra support I wouldn't have fallen at that angle. Worth the extra $3 per session, I would say.

Overall, nothing too spectacular in and of itself, however if you are in the mood to get on the ice, this is certainly the place to go! With a lot of options for individuals and groups alike, there will be something for everyone, young and old.