With the daily temperature hitting the 30-degree mark, most people don't really want to head outdoors. Instead, the city's ice rinks offer a cooler place to spend your summer and learn a new skill. The annual Vision On Ice Camp Cityplaza, organised by Swire Properties, has been a popular summer event since its launch in 1987. 'Ice-skating is beneficial to a person's physical and mental fitness. It can enhance a person's body control, balance, self-confidence and responsiveness,' said Marlo Gonzalez, skating services manager at Cityplaza Ice Palace. The programme is designed for those aged between three and 16, and teaches basic ice-skating techniques under the guidance of professional coaches. What's more, the courses can be customised to help keep participants interested in ice skating, while enhancing their physique in a fun-filled, safe environment. 'We provide a flexible six-lesson programme to students in which they can choose between a two-week and three-week course with different start dates and time slots,' Mr Gonzalez said. 'Students are grouped according to age, skill level and preferred language of tuition, which includes Cantonese, English and Mandarin.' Students who complete the course will receive certificates in line with their ice-skating standards. As well as the well-known Cityplaza Ice Palace in Taikoo Shing, there are several ice rinks in Kowloon. The rinks at Festival Walk, Dragon Centre, Elements and MegaBox all offer beginner courses for skating enthusiasts. Mega Ice at Megabox also offers five-day figure-skating camps. Participants are taught by overseas coaches. Classes teaching skating for ice hockey are also available. So, if you are tired of the hot weather, but want to keep fit, make new friends and try something new, check out the links below. Get your skates on! Cityplaza Ice Palace www.icepalace.com.hk Festival Walk Glacier www.glacier.com.hk Sky Rink in Dragon Centre www.skyrinkhk.com The Rink www.rink.com.hk Mega Ice www.megaice.com.hk
