Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club
| Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports |
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| 8th May 2013 2.45pm |
Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club |
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DISCLAIMER: These reports are based on: phone calls, emails, trips to the ice, lakes and ponds. Please NOTE that YOU SKATE AT YOUR OWN RISK and these reports only give you an idea of what to expect when you arrive. Conditions can change very quickly in the mountains and though we make every effort to keep these reports current in season, please be careful when skating.
Remember: ICE SKATING on NATURAL ICE can be dangerous.
Having a tow rope on hand works well for this.
More
Safety Tips |
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HELP US TELL YOU WHAT ITS LIKE ON THE ICE
If you have been to the
Ice Recently, Please
send
me a report:
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Weather information |
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| Natural Ice Reports for 2013 | |
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Skate Hire: Clive 033238293: 0274504399 SGI Ice Skate Services |
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Wednesday 8th May 2.45pm:
Lake Lyndon From: Karl Barbet by Txt |
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| The puddles round Lake Lyndon were all frozen and had ice on them this morning, no ice on the main lake yet, but Ice this early has to be a good sign. | |
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Monday
22nd April 9.45pm:
Tekapo Springs From Facbook: Tekapo Springs |
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Tekapo Springs Ice Skating Rink opened on the
Monday 15th of April. Open 10.00am-9.00pm daily. Website: Tekapo Springs or follow them on Facebook |
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Monday
22nd April 9.45pm:
Queenstown Ice Arena From Nathan Kline by txt |
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Queenstown Ice Arena opened on the Friday 19th
of April Open 10.00am-9.00pm daily Website: Queenstown Ice Arena or follow them on Facebook |
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Monday
22nd April 9.45pm:
Alexandra Ice Arena From Nathan Kline by txt |
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Alexandra Ice Arena opens on Friday the 17th of
May Visit them at their Website: Alexandra Ice Rink or follow them on Facebook |
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Natural Ice Reports for 2012 |
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Tuesday
7thth August 5.09pm:
Lower Manorburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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One more skate: Lower Manorburn around 60mm in the shaded Rush Cutters area. Hard and dry and enough for a skate! Water everywhere else. |
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Sunday 5th August 9.35pm:
Lake Ida From Chris Ruske by email |
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As seen from the back of Porters Pass Ski field,
as we suspected there is no ice left at Lake Ida......:( No Ice ar Lake Ida.....Season over!!!!! Photo by Chris Ruske |
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Wednesday 1st August 9.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on Facebook |
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| Rinks on hold until further notice due to wet conditions. | |
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Monday
30th July 7.56pm:
Coalpit Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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Might not be more or these reports... Despite the rain there is still ice on Coalpit, it is about half covered - 80mm on the shady side thinning out to water.  |
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Monday
30th July 7.56pm:
Manorburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Lower Manorburn has ice in parts of the middle basin - skate-able in Rush Cutters but not sure how much further out. Good skate on smooth wet ice. | |
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Sunday 29th July
8.35pm:
Lake Ida From Andrea Rowe |
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| Still some Ice on the Main Lake at Ida, reasonably firm but softening, had some fun on the Hockey rink being towed on a homemade sledge | |
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Sunday 29th July 10.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on Facebook |
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| Great skating last night. Rinks open today with good ice in centre, but starting to soften a little around the edges. 75% of ice is in great condition. See you there! | |
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Saturday 28th July 7.56pm:
Poolburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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Poolburn - 80mm over whole lake although some
areas of thinner ice where thaw has re-frozen Locked in initially but wind
and temps up when I left and ice was softening and cracking. Track messy in
warmer temps. Great skate on hard dry ice. Won't last without frost. Dave Young using his Kitewing for the first time this season. Video by Dave Young |
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Thursday 26th July 8.33pm:
Poolburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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Ice pack - approx 80mm - edges (to about 2m out)
vary from 10mm -50mm (ish). Take something in case you need help to get onto
the ice (and safety gear). Keep clear of rocks and edges - the thaw spots.
Ice in the long arm goes off quickly. If you are heading that way go early
and skate with the frost but check the ice carefully first. No frost - no
skate..... Days are warmer and the ice is changing quickly as temps get up.
There are a few pressure cracks that can be crossed if you pick your spots.
Road is dry it with the frost but getting quite rutted at the top. Will it
last to the weekend? Will the Ice last to the weekend???? Photo by Dave Young |
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Tuesday 24th July 8.33pm:
Lower Manorburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Lower Manorburn - early morning (Tuesday) - ice reset over night. 90mm+ thinning out to water in the main basin. Still creaky - skating area shrinking fast as more water appears. Good skate on smooth hard ice. | |
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Wednesday 25th July
1.12am:
Lake Ida From Clive Murphie |
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Those of you who didn't go to Lake Ida on
Tuesday evening made a wise choice, while the weather lived up to
expectations, unfortunately the ice on the main lake had softened during the
day and made it unsafe to gain access to the good ice in the middle. My wet
ankles attest to this...lol We spent a couple of hours skating on the Hockey rink which was also softening....rain and snow due for the rest of the week......that could be Ida skating for another year....  Possibly the Last Skate at Lake Ida for the 2012 Season Photo by Ron James |
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Tuesday 24th July 12.12am:
Lake Ida From Ron James by phone |
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| Lake Ida is half frozen with a third black ice, 50-100mm thick, good skating conditions on the Northern side. | |
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Monday 23rd July 8.00pm:
Manorburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Lower Manorburn - 90mm in Rush Cutters. Water in various places out in main basin. Thick enough but feels weak. Had a good skate on wet firm ice. | |
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Monday 23rd July 8.00pm:
Idaburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Idaburn - creaky 60mm+ in main area. Water in gorge entrance - not for the feint hearted and ice full of air bubbles. Feels unstable. A good frost would be good. | |
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Monday 23rd July 8.00pm:
Coalpit Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Coalpit - 80mm on shady side out to 60mm then water from about half way. Good skate on dry hard ice - bit bumpy on places. | |
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Sunday 22nd July 7.31pm:
Lake Ida/Ida Hockey Rink From Ron James by email |
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The Hockey Rink at Lake Ida has 100mm firm snow
ice, good for skating Snow Ice on the Rink at Ida, Photo Ron James Lake Ida Main Lake: About a third of the Lake has 50 to 70mm black ice. The edges are thin, take care when getting on, but skateable. Recommended skating for well experienced Lake Skaters only!!!!!!!  Complete with Safety Gear Ron Skating at Lake Ida, Photo by Ron James |
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Sunday 22nd July 7.31pm: Lake
Evelyn From Ron James by email |
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Water water everywhere: A very aqueous Lake Evelyn NO ice, Photo by Ron James |
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Sunday 22nd July 1.40am:
Poolburn Dam Saturday the 7th July From Joe Morgan on YouTube |
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Skating Poolburn on a perfect day, on perfect ice, with great company. Video by Joe Morgan |
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Sunday 22nd July 9.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on Facebook |
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| Hi all. No skating today sorry due to warm temps. Skating and the rinks are now on hold until we get another round of good frosts. We will post here if and when the ice is ready again. Cheers. | |
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Saturday 21st July 10.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on Facebook |
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Ice is in fantastic condition. Car park pretty dry also. Come and make the
most of these fantastic conditions. Rink open today Saturday 21st 1-5pm and 7-10pm. Sunday 1-5pm |
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Thursday 19th July 10.26am:
Lake Clearwater/Camp From Alan Knowles by email |
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| No Ice. No Wind. 4deg. Last night's low of +1.4deg. | |
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Wednesday 18th July 8.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on Facebook |
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| Open tonight 7-10pm. A couple of good frosts in last few days and the ice is Tip Top again! Carpark a bit mushy, so bring your gumboots!!! C u there! | |
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Tuesday 17th July 9.23pm:
Idaburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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Lower Manorburn Ice - 100mm+ in Rush Cutters out
to 60mm on the other side. Water at both ends of the main basin. Dry and hard - good skate. There is a line of weed under the ice out from the big viewing rock - need to watch. Windy by the time I left. Needs frost! (was 13 deg this evening in Alex on the way through - won't last if this keeps up!!) |
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Monday 16th July 8.16pm:
Idaburn Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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| Idaburn still had good coverage all over - up to 100mm. Was starting to creak in the main basin but solid in the first half of the gorge and ok to the dam. Had a good skate in the gorge on hard ice. Will break up fast if we don't get a frost or two. | |
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Monday 16th July 8.16pm:
Coalpit Dam/Hoffman's Dam From Dave Young at http://chipofftheiceblock.blogspot.co.nz/ |
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Was surprised to see so
much ice still around after the last few days of rain and warmer wind.
Coalpit had 80mm plus on the shady side and out to the middle. Ice was hard
but wet and in some places beginning to creak in the warmth. Wind blown
debris on the surface with some wind thaw holes starting to appear. Hoffman - gone off around the edge.  Wet Ice at Coalpit Dam, Photo by Dave Young |
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Sunday 15th July 9.00am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on facebook |
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| Rink open this afternoon. 1-5pm. Please note there is surface water on the ice after last nights rain and the car park is boggy so please take it easy where you park. See you there. | |
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Saturday 14th July 7.21pm:
Lake Ida From Ben Bussel by email |
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We had a great day out at Lake Ida the weather
was a little cloudy but mostly fine, even some blue sky, it did rain a
little. The condition of the ice is ok. In most places the top ice is
pretty soft but we did manage to find some hard ice. There also was some
water ponding on top of the Ice. The ice is about 120 to150 mm roughly.  Lake Ida: Saturday, Soft on top with some hard spots Photo by Ben Bussel |
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Saturday 14th July 3.30pm:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on facebook |
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| RINK OPEN TONIGHT 7-10pm | |
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Saturday 14th July 9.57am:
Lake Camp From Alan Knowles by email |
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Conditions at 10am Saturday: Still with light
high overcast and blue sky to east, 5deg, all ice sheets intact but weak. Overnight, low 2.5deg, no wind and minimal rain. It will take only one frost to bring it all back into condition. I reckon Lake Ida will be skateable. |
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Friday 13th
July 8.00pm: Lake Clearwater From Alan Knowles by email |
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Light NW wind all day, 3.6degC at 8pm and
dropping. (Up to 11degC during day.) Lake Clearwater: 100mm+ ice weakening
at crystal boundaries, softening. I skated to the island this morning and
west of the village, now hazardously weak for skating. Open water appearing
well west of village, but wind so slight its having little effect on the ice
sheet. Occasional spits of rain. Lake Camp: Similar but stronger ice than Clearwater, and I skated the full length of the lake for 3 hours until after midday. Prognosis: The ice sheets are still thick and holding edge to edge. The minimal wind forecast is likely to see some ice survive the coming westerly blast. With a big high due in 8 days there should be more skating this season. There is just might be ice strong enough to skate tomorrow, but the best chance would be Camp just east of the boat ramp. |
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Friday 13th July 9.30am:
Idaburn Dam From Dave Young by txt |
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| Over 100mm of ice right to the dam, no frost, hard and smooth, but wet ice, still locked in. Great skate: watch as wind and rain are due. | |
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Friday 13th July 9.30am:
Stavely Ice Rink From Staveley Ice Rink on facebook |
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| Hi guys. Rink open today Friday 13th. Water on surface of ice after warming. Weather for tomorrow Saturday doesn't look great at this stage, rinks likely to be close. Cold again next week so keep an eye here for updates. | |
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Thursday 12th July 11.00pm:
Fairly Ice Rink From Sandra Lambert via Facebook |
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| Had a night skate on it tonight, brilliant hockey!, someone rigged up generators for lighting, far end still thin, most rocks removed now. | |
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Thursday 12th July 8.30pm:
Lake Evelyn From Paul Scott |
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| Lake Evelyn was softening in the N/W today about a third of the Lake on the western end was safe with about a cm of soft on top. | |
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Thursday 12th July 12.00pm:
Fairly Ice Rink From Sandra Lambert via Facebook |
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| The ice rink in Fairlie opened today, all good just a bit thin down far end | |
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Wednesday 11th July 8.00pm:
Lake Camp From Clive Murphie |
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In a brisk -3 degrees a few more people had
their first skate on Natural Ice last night, good 100mm coverage over 99
percent of the lake with one area of open water about a third of the way
down the southern side. Lots of rocks and frozen bits of ice to navigate and
awesome stars...... Keep an eye on the weather N/W forecast for the next 4
days.  A cool -3 degrees at Lake Camp Wednesday Night Photo by Ron James |
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Tuesday 10th July 5.52pm:
Lake Camp and Clearwater From Alan Knowles via email |
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| 110mm ice on Camp and Clearwater and nice surface. | |
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Sunday 1st July 9.54pm: Lake
Evelyn (Last weeks video) From Joe Morgan via YouTube |
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Hot from the production board, video of our trip to Lake Evelyn 1st July 2012, Video by Joe Morgan |
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Monday 9th July 11.30pm: Lake
Evelyn From Clive Murphie |
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To finish our long weekend off, we met up with a
crew from Christchurch for a skate at Lake Evelyn, conditions were chilly
and the ice chippy, Evelyn still has 80-90mm of good ice over most of the
lake however caution on the Ida road end is advised as the ice becomes quite
vocal.  And yes it is as cold as it looks!!!!! Photo by Ron James |
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Monday 9th July 11.30pm:
Tasman Glacier Lake From Clive Murphie |
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As the icing on the cake for our weekend we
managed to get a skate with the icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Lake at Mt
Cook, in the majestic surrounding of the snow capped mounts and the glacier
clearly visible in the distance we skated on about a 50th of the Lake, at
the southern end, about a third of the lake was frozen however only the
southern end was stable. With 120-150mm of clear milky ice, skating among
the icebergs that are 1000's of years old, gives you a great sense of
serenity,  Stunning surrounds. Photo by Clive Murphie  Knocked this one off!!!!!!!.....Nathan. Photo by Clive Murphie. |
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Sunday 8th July 11.48pm:
Conway Dam From Clive Murphie |
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After talking to the locals at Fraser's Dam they
recommended a skate at Conway Dam a smaller dam closer to Alex, this great
little spot was easy access and was a safe skate in good conditions, so good
that we accepted the locals invite to return in the evening for a night
skate, good company and perfect conditions created an evening to remember.
We will be back.  Conway Dam Central Otago, Photo by Jeff peacock  Some keen Ice Hockey players. Photo by Gordon Raynor  Nothing like socializing round a brazier after a skate. Photo by Gordon Raynor |
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Sunday 8th July 11.48pm:
Fraser's Dam From Clive Murphie |
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After our morning skate at Butchers 7 of us took
off in search of Fraser's Dam, this is an irrigation dam located above
Alexandra, when we arrived out of the mist to glorious sunshine, there were
already skaters on the ice. Fraser's Dam had 120-140mm of hard windblown
ice, the Dam has dropped about 1.5mts from the original level when it froze,
giving some entertaining skating round the edges as skateboard bowel type
surfaces were found around the Lake.  New Friends at Fraser's Dam, Photo by Gordon Raynor  Clive looking out at the expanse of ice at Fraser's Dam Photo by Jeff Peacock |
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Sunday 8th July 11.48pm:
Butchers Dam From Clive Murphie |
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Just south of Alexandra is the Butchers Dam,
this expanse of water rarely freezes and we were lucky enough to catch it on
one of those rare occasions it did. 10 of us enjoyed 70-80mm of good ice,
this meant we could skate the whole area with caution, it was a shame to see
the locals had spent a lot of time throwing debris out on to the ice
including beer bottles, In misty hoar frost conditions of -3 degrees
it was an eerie skate with some great photo opportunities. Right Click and open in a new tab to get the full picture.......see the skaters in the far left of the picture..:) Photo by Ange Boyes  Gearing up for Butchers Dam. Photo by Ange Boyes |
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| Sunday 8th July 9.48pm: Lake Camp and Lake Clearwater, Emma and Roundabout. From Fred van Slooten by email | |
Terrific day at the Ashburton lakes today. Full
circumnavigation of Lakes Clearwater and Camp on smooth 70 to 100mm ice.
Lakes Emma and Roundabout soft for the afternoon skate on marginal ice. Some Hockey on the Ice at Lake Roundabout Photo Fred van Slooten |
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Saturday 7th July 11.3pm:
Poolburn and the Upper Manorburn Reservoirs From Clive Murphie |
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10 of us lucky Christchurch skaters spent today
skating the Poolburn Dam, a huge expanse of ice with lots of bays, islands
and interesting batch's, the whole dam is frozen with good black skateable
ice over the entire Reservoir. The Road was good access in the morning and
softening mud later in the afternoon.  The Actual Poolburn Dam. Photo by Ange Boyes  One of the many bays at Poolburn. Photo by Ange Boyes  The Crew at Poolburn. Photo by Dave Young. |
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Archives: 2012 (2) Sunday 30th June to Tuesday 17th July |
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| Other Places to visit for Skating Videos and Photos | |
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Aardwolfs You Tube site:
here Joe's You Tube site: here Glens You Tube site: here David Young's Blog: here iceblock.org.nz Ryan Hellyer's Homepages: here |
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| Archives | |
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2012
(2)
Sunday 30th June to Tuesday 17th July 2012 Sunday 28th April to Sunday 24th June 2011 (2) Monday 1st August to Tuesday 23rd August 2011 Saturday 4th June to Sunday 31st July 2010(3)Wednesday 14th July to Wednesday 11th August 2010(2)Wednesday 8th July to Tuesday 13th July 2010Saturday 29th May to Wednesday 7th July 2009(3)Thursday 9th July to Saturday 15th August 2009(2)Tuesday 30th June to Tuesday 8th July 2009 Sunday 6th June to Saturday 28th June 2008 Saturday 31st May to Sunday 27th July See older Photos on the Photos Pages for the individual locations for Ice Skating. |
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Some of the events above may have no association with the Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club |