If you fancy something different, why not give ice hockey a go!
An Overview of Ice Hockey
Blind ice hockey is a non-contact sport and players play by listening for a scaled-up puck that rattles across the ice. The level of sight of players ranges from blind to partially sighted, with goalies typically having the least vision on the team.
While relatively new to the UK, blind ice hockey currently has national teams in Canada and the USA.
Benefits
- Meet new people
- Build stamina
- Improve communication and teamwork skills
Involvement
To get involved with this exciting, fast, developing ice sport, contact Blind Ice Hockey UK, or use the BBS Activity Finder.
Sight classifications are important to ensure fair and equal competition. Success at competitions should be defined by an athlete's skill and ability, not their impairment. The sight classifications should give all athletes the confidence that they are competing against others equally.
Useful Links
Adaptations and Equipment
Equipment includes gloves, shin pads, skates, a helmet, shoulder pads, a hockey jock, mouthguard, elbow pads, and hockey clothes.
For players with a visual impairment, a scaled-up audible puck is used that rattles across the ice. The racket echoes throughout the rink, bouncing around the confined space between boards and ice. Players will bang their sticks on the ice to signal a pass, and the referee's electric whistle lets the goalie know when the first pass has been made in their half of the rink. Instead of a regular 4-foot net, blind ice hockey uses 3-foot-high nets. The puck must be kept low and close to the ice to make the noise required for it to be tracked aurally
"Children under 5 skate for free"
Fun sessions throughout week including family skate, club sessions and foam parties. A lively and fun activity to enjoy with family or friends, ice skating “guaranteed to get your body moving”.
