Cyprus-Forum.com

[Cap]

PAPHOS will finally be able to enjoy the experience of ice skating as a temporary rink will be set up in the town ahead of the Christmas holiday season.

The rink measuring 200m2 will be constructed in by the Paphos Municipality and set up in the town hall gardens.

According to Vasilis Spirou, the president of the Paphos figure skating club, the rink will be opened to the public on December 2, and should remain open until around January 10.

“Skating is such fun and I hope that many people will try it in Paphos,” he told the Cyprus Mail.

Spirou recently formed the Paphos figure skating club at about the same time that the Cyprus skating federation was formed.

“My wife Petra is currently the coach of six young Cyprus athletes and has been training them at the ice rink in My Mall in Limassol for the last year,” he said.

The youngsters range in age from 8-12-years-old.

“One of the children is naturally talented. She is nine years old and we are hoping to send her to International competitions from January next year,” he said.

The athletes coach is from the Czech Republic and was previously a professional skater competing in numerous international figure skating championships.

She will be on hand at specified times at the Paphos rink to teach groups and individuals how to skate.

Spirou said that entrance to the ice rink would be free, but group lessons would be charged at €10, and individual lessons at €20.

“We really need a proper full sized ring in Cyprus to be able to expand the sport,” Spirou pointed out.

“There has been a considerable ammount of interest in creating a rink from the private sector and discussions with the Cyprus sports association have taken place,” he added. According to Spirou, the interest is to build a rink in Limassol.

In the meantime, Paphos residents will soon be able to enjoy the novelty of taking to the ice, many of them for the first time in their lives.Skates will be available for hire at the rink.

“I recommend that everyone should have a go at ice skating, no matter what their age,” said Spirou, “It’s a diferent experience and tremendously enjoyable.”

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/ice-s ... s/20101128

[Gasman]

The small one they erected on Finicoudes earlier this year was very popular. But only there until the end of spring.

[Cap]

Yeah, with such limited skating opportunities I'm not surprised.
I hope this proves popular too.

[SSBubbles]

I am a rubbish skater
Love watching the little ones glide over the ice in the Mall - 'tis just a pity it is not a bigger rink.