Kaipara school kids get chance to skate on ice

Among those ice Skating at Maungaturoto Primary School yesterday was Milan Wearmouth 6.

It's not often you get the chance to ice skate in rural Northland.

But Kaipara school children have been doing just that.

An ice skating rink has popped up at Maungaturoto School much to the delight of teachers and students.

Victoria Kurupo, one of the organisers from the school, said they were approached by Ice Skate Tour- which provide mobile ice rinks for schools, clubs, and events - which asked if the school wanted to host the rink this week.

"Because of where we are, kids in our area wouldn't normally be able to do this stuff as much as places closer to Auckland so I think they saw it as a target market.

"We were excited to give the kids a fun, exciting thing and every opportunity is a learning opportunity."

She said it's a mobile rink which uses a type of plastic which looks like ice, feels like ice and glides like ice.

Ms Kurupo said if you didn't know it wasn't ice, you would think it was the real thing.

"We thought it was awesome. The kids are all loving it. We've been using it during our class times and we invited schools in the area to come and give it a turn.

"I was expecting more injuries but because of the excitement level they haven't felt it so much. There's been a lot of epic falling overs including one teacher. The kids are so excited."

Paparoa Primary and Tinopai schools put their ice skates on yesterday and Matakohe School will be heading along today.

But members of the public will also be able to skate today from 3pm to 6pm and tomorrow between 10am to 4pm.

"There's music playing and on Friday and Saturday we'll have a bubble machine going."

Entry is $7 for under 16s, $13 for adults and the family pass for two adults and two under 16s is $35.