Articles by Claire

Want to say thank you to your mother? Great! Below are over 50 hockey mom gift ideas (to personalize or not) for you to show you appreciation for all that she does: gear for the rink, outfits, decorations... Make the next occasion special!

Best hockey mom gift ideas

She takes you to practice.
She stresses when the pucks fly towards you.
She takes care of almost everything so that you can focus.
She encourages you...

Now it is time to say thank you!
Mother's days, Christmas, Birthdays, End of season... any occasion is good to remind her how much you love your hockey mom and appreciate all that she is doing.

My favorite personalized hockey mom gift ideas

Let's start with some of my absolute favorite gift ideas for hockey moms. Many can be personalized so that it is even more thoughtful.
This is a snapshot of what you can discover below, ideas to make unique gifts!

Hockey mom planner

Everyone knows that hockey moms are very busy. They have a lot to juggle.
Check out my hockey mom planner, to keep her calendar for the season 2021 - 2022!

And many more presents for hockey mothers

But I have plenty of other ideas that you can discover below:

• Practical hockey mom gear for the rink - to face anything while at the rink - cushions, travel mugs, blankets, tote bag...
• Small budget gifts that make moms smile - keychain, bumper stickers, mugs cards... 
• Hockey mom outfit pieces - to proudly wear at the rink - sweatshirts, shirts, hats, scarves, leggings...
• Hockey mom jewelry,
• Or write a Poem for your hockey mom...

Hockey mom gear - best gifts for hockey moms

Hockey mothers can spend quite a lot of time at the rink. And it is cold and not comfortable.
Below are some gift ideas that should make her time there more enjoyable.

Rink seat cushions

Benches or seats in ice skating rinks are so uncomfortable! Plus, they are cold.
You mom deserves a throne to sit on. But, since you can't do that, why not buy her a seat cushion to make her wait a little bit more comfortable.

See all my hockey mom seat cushion designs.

Travel Mug 

With all the driving around and millions of things to do, she probably needs a lot of coffee.
Plus, as written before, the rink is cold, and she needs something to keep warm.
The following hockey mom travel mugs are great to enjoy her favorite drink still warm while watching you play. A very useful gift!

See all my designs on hockey mom travel mugs.

Notebooks

A mother (hockey mom or not) always has a million things to think about. 
It is very useful for her to keep a notebook in her bag and take notes whenever she thinks of something.
See my collection of Hockey Mom Notebooks / Journals.
Personalize one of these notebooks with a hockey theme for her to carry around:

Blankets

As said and repeated, ice rinks are cold. Some are even freezing.
When sitting on the benches, you can get very cold.
A blanket is a very useful gift.
See my collection of Hockey Mom Blankets.

Tote bags

And she needs to carry her blanket and seat cushion to the rink (plus maybe other things)... These tote bags will make a great impression as she takes you to practice or to a game!
See my collection of Hockey Mom Bags.

Limited budget gift for hockey moms

Bumper stickers

Nothing is more saying for a proud mom than a bumper sticker...
See all my bumper stickers for hockey moms.

Keychains

To always keep your gift close to her, choose a keychain. She can attach it to her car keys, home keys or her bag!
See my collection of hockey mom keychains.

Mugs

The mug is a classic gift for mother, but it is always appreciated.
Sipping coffee in something offered by your kid is a great way to start your day.

See all my classic mug designs for hockey mothers.

Candy tins

For your mom to transport her favorite candies or breath mint in her bag.

Magnets

Your mom can show how proud she is by displaying one of these magnets on her fridge
See the collection of magnets for hockey moms.

Air fresheners

What is best that seeing her gift every day that she drives you to the rink.
You can choose the scent that will please your mom the best!
See all air fresheners

And many other homemade ideas

You can also create a DIY gift for your hockey mom:

• a personalized card with a picture of you and her
• a frame for that same picture that you decorate yourself
• a box that you decorate for her to keep memories inside
• a gift card for 1000 hugs with you (even when kids are 40, mothers love hugs...)
• ...

Hockey mom clothes

Most women love clothes. They want it to mean something and show their personality.
They want to show how proud they are of you and of being a hockey mom.
Check out these hockey mom outfit pieces that would make her look great at the rink and outside!

Hockey mom sweatshirts / hoodies

To keep warm while showing support to her kid. They can be personalized with the player's number or her name.
See the collection of hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts... for hockey moms. For each design you can choose the clothe type you want!

Shirts / Tank tops

Not only at the rink, but also outside, she is always proud to be a hockey mom!
To wear at home, at the gym, at the park...
Same collection as above, but you can choose the format t-shirt or tank top in the options!

Hats

Once again, the ice rink is a cold environment. Covering your head helps you keep warm.
Therefore, a hat is a very useful gift: warm wool hat or personalized cap:

Leggings

Leggings are so comfortable. They can be worn for many activities.
Below are some hockey themed leggings. See my complete collection of hockey mom leggings here.

Scarves

Once again, you want your mom to keep warm while she is waiting for you.
A scarf or neck warmer is a very useful gift!

Hockey mom jewelry & decor gifts

And you course, there is jewelry.

Charms

Charms can be attached to many objects to decorate her life... on bracelet, bag, purse, zipper pull, wallet...
No way to forget that she is a hockey mom. LOL.

Necklaces

To carry her love for you around her neck all the time.
She can show how proud she is to be a hockey mom!

Hockey mom decors: Posters, Pillows, wall art

Like a card, having a wall art / poster / pillows to see every day in the house or at work is a great reminder of her love for you.
See my collection of hockey mom posters.
Check out these options:

Picture frames

Make your gift even more special with a picture of the 2 of you. These special frames make this gift particularly special:

Non hockey-themed gifts for your mother

And hockey grandma gift ideas...

And if you are looking for gift ideas for your grandma too, check out these - or see more gift options for Grandmas here.

You might also be interested in:

Time at the rink is limited. It always feels too short! Especially when you want to repeat movements to reach mastery.
So why not have your own rink in your basement, garage or backyard.
Below is all you need to know about the best synthetic ice for hockey practice and the tips to help you choose the best option for you. 

This article only covers the skatable synthetic ice - Don't mix up with shooting tiles and pads - see this article for those products.

Note - if you are looking for the best synthetic ice for figure skating, head to this other article.

This article may contain affiliate links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best synthetic ice for hockey practice - summary

Essential to know

First of all, let's be honest.
There are a few things I want you to consider before buying synthetic ice. 

• This article only includes tiles you can skate on (no stickhandling pads) - don't make the mistake when buying a product (a lot of tiles cannot be skated on)
• It is not exactly like ice. It takes a little bit to get used to it. But synthetic ice is as close as you can get to ice skating anywhere (85 to 90% there). And it is great to practice specific points when you don't have access to an ice rink. 
• Don't be thrown off by the first few minutes. It gets better as you skate on them.
• You MUST be aware that blades will need sharpening more often!

• Many companies state they are the #1 or the leader, it is quite funny - the truth is that most of them are pretty much equivalent. Some say this one glides better; others say this other one. I saw one influencer say in 2 videos that a different brand was the best synthetic ice; it depends on who was paying that week. The truth is that it is extremely difficult to compare as it depends on the surface under it, the environment, the skates, the players, what is being done...
• To keep up with the truth, I have not tested all of them myself. Not possible. But I have done many many days of research, to compile the information in this this article. I hope it will help.
• Yes, these tiles are quite an investment but that they can last for years

Criteria to consider

I am entering into more details further in the article, but here are the main factors to consider when looking at the "fake ice" tiles for hockey practice:

• Friction coefficient (how does it glide)
• How much shaving is created by skating on them (although the only downside, is that you have to clean more)
• Thickness 
• Interlocking system between tiles
• Double-sided or single-sided
• Warranty
• Price 

#1 - Best synthetic ice for hockey - Lower price range: Skate Anytime

• Product: Skate Anytime synthetic ice
• Pros: Good price for quality, easy to set up and remove, 5)-year warranty, easy to add tiles later on
• Full review after the FAQs and criteria

See various size packages and their prices

(and you can also read customer reviews on Amazon)

#1 bis - Alternatives in the lower price range 

And in the in-between price range, you can find Xtraice synthetic ice.

#2 - Best synthetic ice for hockey players and goalies- Higher price range: Can-Ice

• Product: Can-Ice synthetic ice
• Pros: larger tiles (less connections), less shavings, double-sided for twice the lifespan
• Full review after the FAQs and criteria

See various size packages and their prices

Can-Ice Demo Video

#2 bis - Alternatives in the higher price range

• Smart Rink 
• Glice Rink
• Hockeyshot extreme glide synthetic ice
• Kwikrink synthetic ice

Still think ice would be better?

If you live in a cold part of the country, and think you still would like real ice but don't want a complicated solution, check out the EZ backyard rink.

Answers to your Synthetic Ice FAQs

What is synthetic ice? What is it made of?

Synthetic ice is made of polymers. Innovation is the past year has made the material better and better at mimicking natural ice (Plastic was first used for ice skating in the 1960s). It is now made mostly from high density polyethylene plastic with a slip agent, but also from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
All brands have been developing and improving with new material and slip agent to always improve the gliding capability.

This material is shaped into panels that interlock smoothly to create a large even surface.

How do you skate on synthetic ice? Does it feel the same as ice?

How it works on the ice:
When your blade applies pressure on the ice, it melts, creating a thin film of water. This water lubricates and allows the blade to glide.

How it works on plastics:
The plastic imitates the hard part of the ice and the lubricant additive (chosen for its reaction with the polymer) plays the role of the water.

Reported feeling:
It is not ice. So, it cannot be the same.
It is said that the plastic is able to imitate up to 90% the feeling of gliding on the ice.
Skaters report that they are able to do as on the ice, but that it adds resistance. 
However, I would not see that as a bad thing. The added friction can be a benefice to the skater’s power and endurance.

Can you use regular skates on synthetic ice? Does it ruin blades?

Yes, you skate on the synthetic ice with your regular skates (hockey or figure skates).
Quality synthetic ice that is well maintained does not damage blades.
However, bad quality synthetic ice or poorly maintained rink can.

The main impact is that they will need sharpening more often (but a lot less with the last generations of plastic ice) - some say roughly twice as often.

What about goalie pads?

Low quality tiles can damage goalie pads quickly.
However high-quality ones that are well maintained should not. But, honestly, they still do a little.
You get rollerfly sets to attach to your pads. For example, Skate Anytime has a synthetic ice package for goalies.

However, remember that you are adding friction to your movements, it will increase impact on your hips when doing butterflies. So be reasonable with your training.

Can I practice hockey manoeuvres on synthetic ice?

Yes, with quality tiles, you can practicethem all:

• Brakes
• Turns
• Pivots
• Goalie drills
• Puck control
• ...

Muscles are used the same way. They may just work a little harder.

Lower quality tiles would slightly modify the moves. For example, they can require a longer trajectory to stop.

Is synthetic ice good? Is it worth the price?

Buying your own synthetic ice rink to practice at home or to create a business is a big investment. It is important to be sure it is useful.
Those plastic ice sheets have really improved in the past decades, and they are now really close to the feeling of gliding on the ice. Plus, they have also improved in terms of durability.
Of course, you have to make sure to purchase good quality panels. And quality means more expensive. A solution could be to gather with other skaters to purchase the rink and share the time on it.

If you are building it as a business, it is more cost efficient than a traditional ice rink that requires compressors.

How long do synthetic ice panels last?

In theory, under normal use (which means with good maintenance and not doing stupid things on it), the use can be indefinite.
The tiles are quite strong and difficult to destroy. The glide-ability can be brought back with lubricant.

Check out the warranties offered by manufacturers. They can be from a couple of years to 10 years for some.

And most tiles can be turned to use the other surface and make your rink last even longer!

What are the advantages of a synthetic ice rink?

You can set it up at home: in your garage, basement or backyard
You can skate all year round!
You can skate in any weather. It can be left outside.

Criteria to choose your best synthetic ice sheets

Your Objective / Use

The first criteria to consider when choosing your plastic ice is what you will do with it. Is it: 

• Just for fun recreatinnal skating?
• To practice drills?
• To play hockey with friends?
• To practice at high level off-season?
• To create a commercial rink?
• ....

From that you can choose the quality, thickness, size... depending on your budget.

Coefficient of friction / glide-ability

This is the most important criteria of all. The lower the coefficient, the better. However, they do not always share it.
The coefficient of friction will impact:

• The gliding ability - how close to conventional ice does it feel
• The dulling of your blades - the more friction, the faster your blades become dull and need resharpening
• The durability - the higher the friction, the more important the creation of shavings, abrasions and tiny worn-off particles that will reduce the quality and look of your synthetic ice

The slip agent is what makes the synthetic ice glide, what reduces the friction. The current synthetic ice tiles are self-lubricating. Do not buy one that is not.
The biggest difference between brands will be what agent is used and how much.

Hardness

The hardness criterion has 2 main impacts on your "plastic rink":

• The durability
• The natural feel - how close is it to ice?

A surface that is too soft (with cheaper resin for example) will feel like when the ice is too soft. You dig into it, and it adds friction and slows down the glide.
A surface that is too hard (not enough slip agent for example, or like older surfaces) will dull the blades very fast.

The perfect balance must be found.

Interlocking system

The main difference between an ice backyard rink and a synthetic ice backyard rink is that one is made of panels interlocking while the other is just one surface.
But you want that feel of continuity, otherwise it will create a horrible experience.

The interlocking system is absolutely ESSENTIAL. It must:

• be tight and seamless, so that the transition is not felt at all when gliding from one panel to another.
• be strong and not allow panel to get loose

Different systems are used by manufacturers: puzzle, dovetail, tongue and groove... All can be good if they have a good fit.

The tongue and groove system requires more work to install and will make it difficult to take it apart. Which also means on the positive side, that it really won't move or slide.
The puzzle and dovetail systems are easier to set up and tear apart. Thus, you need to regularly check that there has been no slip before skating.

Thickness

A thick product will be more durable.
It can set up on flat surface without a subfloor and will not be bending over time.

Single vs Double-sided

A single-sided ice panel can have a special set up on the bottom part that makes it more stable and less sensitive to small ground variation.
A double-sided ice panel can be skated on both sides (if the bottom side has been protected) which doubles the life-span of your product.

Toxicity / Environment-friendliness

Another criteria you can look for is how environmentally friendly the materials are.
What is the level of toxicity (especially for the gliding agent)?
Does the manufacturing process use renewable energy?...

Service 

What are their service conditions?
Do they help with the install? Can you easily get someone on the phone to give advice and explanations?

Warranty

Considering the investment, I recommend checking out the details of the warranty.
Is there a warranty on the tiles?
How long is it?
What are the conditions?

Storage / movement

Depending on what you want to do with them, check how easy they are to move or store when not in use.

Colors

What do you want on your rink? Do you need lines, or colors?
Some brands only have white tiles while other can provide colored one to create lines on the rink.

Price

And of course, there is the price and your budget.
I recommend less tiles but of good quality. And adding progressively.

What to check in reviews of synthetic ice online:

• gliding feel from skaters (to be taken with a grain of salt, since it depends on how people are taking care of the material),
• production of shavings - they will all make some, but are reviews reporting a lot,
• is anyone reporting change in color when exposed to sun, rain or snow,
• how responsive the company is to potential issues.

Below is my analysis of some of the top brands so that it is easier for you to compare.

Best synthetic ice tiles for hockey - Reviews - Lower price range

Best synthetic ice for pro practice - Higher price range

All the following brands are specialized in commercial synthetic ice rinks, but also offer home installations.
Prices are on quotes.

Specifics:

• Double-sided tiles - 4’x5’ or 4’x10’
• Gliding - it has a slip agent inside the product, so no additional product is necessary (self-lubricating)
• Less shavings
• Interlocking system - puzzle
• Warranty - no indication
• Color - several colors to create an ice rink with lines
• Endorsed by Hockey Canada

The following alternatives are in no particular order.
I have tried gathering facts as much as possible to help you compare and make a decision.

How to set up and take care of your garage / backyard rink

The requirements to set up your synthetic ice rink

For most synthetic ice modern products, you need a flat, sturdy and hard surface to set up the tiles on: concrete, asphalt, and decks are great
However, the thinner one would be better on plywood or rubber (to fix any small flaw in the flooring).
It can be indoor or outdoor: in basements, parking areas, driveways, garage...
Always make sure to follow the instructions provided with your product for maximal use.

Do You Have to Resurface Synthetic Ice?

No Zamboni required

All products listed in this article are self-lubricating. Which means they will keep gliding without any intervention (except for cleaning).
It actually normally gets better as it is being used.

How often should you clean the surface?

It depends on the amount of shavings created and the environment.  Dirt comes from a variety of sources.
Outside: leaves and other natural elements can end up on the tiles.
Inside, dust can build up on it.

I think a quick vacuuming before any session is best, but it depends on how often you practice.

Once in a while you can also consider pressure washing.

Complete your rink for hockey training

But even without synthetic ice, you can train at home. Check out my best-of off-ice hockey training equipment list.

And don't forget to hydrate as you train!

Share it on your favorite social media!

Time on the ice is limited, but this is not reason for not training.
To strengthen your full body, build your skating muscles and improve your balance, consider the following best slide boards for hockey training off-ice.
Plus, I list some examples of exercises.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best slide boards for hockey training - Summary

Want to improve your ice hockey game, even if you have limited time on the ice.
One of the best off-ice training equipment for hockey players is the slide board. 
Put the slick surface (with rebounders on both sides) on a flat ground and it allows you to work on:

• Balance
• Core strength
• Skating muscles

Plus, you can use it in combination with a shooting pad to imitate the moves of ice hockey
Below is a summary of my section of slides boards for hockey players. Detailed specifications and reviews are further in the article (plus exercises suggestions).

Best slide boards for hockey players

• Criteria - slide-ability, length, durability (learn more further in this article)
• Pros of a sliding board kit - easy to move around (practice anywhere!)
• Note - brands specific to hockey have created their own versions. They don't have extra features special to hockey, it is basically the same concept. However, they are often found more stable and can adapt in length.

With hockey branding - adjustable length:

Best hockey training tiles to slide

• Instead of a single product board, you can opt for hockey tiles to create your sliding board
• Pros: the size you want (adapt to your size and stride) and can be adapted to different shapes for a variety of exercises, can also be used for shooting and stickhandling practice
• Cons: more expensive, more difficult to transport

At the end of this article, you can also see instructions to build your own DIY slide board.

And if you really want to feel like skating at home (and you have the space), consider installing synthetic ice tiles (learn more here).

Criteria to choose your hockey training slide board

Why hockey players should use a sliding board?

A slide board is a flat and slick surface with rebounders on each side that allows you to slide from one end to the other (with specialized footwear).
It mimics the skating motions as much as possible, focusing on posture (bending ankles, knees, back, arms...)
They can make you work out almost every muscle in the body. A great tool for off-ice hockey training!
The overall benefits of exercising on one are:

• Lateral changes of direction and high-speed acceleration (agility) with minimal joint impact
• Improvement of endurance
• Strengthening of the plantar and dorsal muscles of the foot, and the ankle ligaments
• Improvements in lower body strength, especially the abductor and adductor which is good for the knees
• Improvements in hip functionality
• Burning over 700 calories in one hour if doing challenging exercises.

So, what does it mean for hockey players? How does that help?

• Work muscles used for skating - especially the extensor muscles for a strong stride
• Improve speed
• Improve reactivity in lateral changes of direction, essential to hockey player
• Strengthen hip abductors and adductors to prevent injury
• Help to “cut” or “turn on the dime” on the ice
• Strengthen muscles to maintain the bent posture position

To be able to practice, you need a good quality slide board. Below are the criteria to look for when choosing yours.

Slide-ability

The first criteria to look at is the material used for the sliding surface.
How good is it for sliding? (noting that it will never be as good as ice!)
Most products are made of PVC. Let's be honest, it is a product that you can roll and transport, so of course there is a compromise. Reviews can be harsh because people expect the impossible (price, transport, strength, perfect slide...).
However, check out reviews to see what most people think of the slide-ability. 

Length

There are several lengths of slide boards.
The small ones are really only for little kids.
Teens and adults should always take the longer ones to get the full benefits of the board. Otherwise, you are very limited in the types of exercises that can be done.

Around 6 foot - 71 inches - 1.80 m is a good size for full practice.

Note: the width is often quite standard, it does not have a major impact on your use of the product.

Transportability

How easy is it to transport?
Make sure the options fit with your training plan and lifestyle.
If it always stays at the same spot for your training, you will have more choices than if you want to take it outside in a park or at the gym to set it up.

Reviews of best hockey sliding boards

Review - SPRI Slide Board

• Length - 71in
• Width - 20in
• Color - Black
• PVC surface with excellent slide-ability reviews
• Transport bag - yes
• Booties - yes (one size fits most)
• Sold with an exercise guide

This is one of the best reviewed sliding boards on the market. The quality/cost ratio is excellent.
Plus it comes with an exercise guide to get your started.

Buy it / Read reviews

Review - Balance 1 slide board

• Length - 6ft or 7.5ft 
• Color - Black, Blue, Red - for different height recommendations
• Has anti-slip surfaces at each end
• Cheaper - slide-ability reviews are not as good as the SPRI but still correct
• Transport bag - yes
• Booties - yes (one size fits most)

A more affordable option but not for intensive use. 

Buy it / Read reviews

Review - Better hockey Extreme slide board

Review - Hockeyshot Slide Board Pro

• Length - 2 sizes: 8 in or 10in - adjustable
• Width - 22in
• Angled rubber bumper for better push-offs
• Booties - yes (large size: 8 to 12)
• Transport bag - yes

Well known hockey tool brand.
The 10in is great for taller players.  And it is adjustable, so everyone can use it at its perfect size.

Buy it / Read reviews

Reviews of best hockey sliding tiles

Review - Hockey Revolution training tiles - Lit or Pro

• 20 orange tiles (13in x13in) and 4 stoppers - adjustable to any length (for the adult size) - or 12 slides and 2 stoppers (for kids)
• high quality
• Booties - yes
• Plus 2 antislip rubber mats

The main advantage is that you can create the length and shape you want for a variety of exercises.
Plus, it locks with the traditional My Puzzle tiles to create a whole area for training.

Buy it / Read reviews

6 Slide board exercises for hockey players

Before sharing any exercises with you:

• Make sure that you can perform such workouts with a doctor or physiotherapist
• Understand proper technique

Proper technique on the slide board

• Warm up (10 to 30 minutes) before using it - to avoid muscle pulls and sprains
• Make sure your laces are tied properly, and your booties are correctly placed all around your shoes
• Always keep your knees bent
• Always keep your head up and arms up (unless specific exercises)
• Start the movement very slow to feel the positioning of your body (and ensure a safe exercise) and then speed up

Now you can start exercising. Your workout should be a mix of exercises. I know it is fun to feel like skating, but you should not do only that during your workout.

#1. Lateral slides

• Stand on one end of the slide board with your foot closest to the bumper up against it.
• Bend your knees and hips - stay low
• Push off the bumper and slide across the board. Swing your arms as if skating.
• Glide until your other foot meets the opposite bumper. Cushion the impact by slightly bending your leg before immediately pushing off 
• Repeat in the opposite direction

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a medicine ball
• Wearing weighing elements
• Holding your stick in front of you and controlling the puck on a shooting pad (check out my article for the best shooting pads). 

#2. Lateral lunges

• Stand with the right foot off the end slide board (without the bootie) and the left foot on the board (with the bootie)
• Slide the left foot on the board (keep feet parallel) while bending the right leg (keep the knee above the toe) 
• At the same time lunge forward with a straight back
• Slide until your reach 90°Angle
• Slide back up
• Repeat and then switch leg
• Maintain proper form!

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a weight but only with the arm on the slide board side and keeping it centered

#3. Reversed lunges

• Stand with one foot off the board and one foot on the board facing a bumper
• Arms up at your chest
• Slide one foot backward with a slight bend
• Extend as far as you can while keeping your balance (best until front leg is bent at 90° Bend)
• Stand back up
• Alternate legs

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Carrying a weight but still at chest level

#4. Mountain climber

• Knees down on the board
• Hold one of the bumpers with your hands
• Go up on your toes, keep spine aligned
• Slide each foot to full extension alternatively, like climbing a mountain

#5. Back push

• Lay down on your slide board
• Arms slightly away from our body on each side
• Slide your feet back under your bottom
• Beware! Push is with the leg, not a pull from the back

Once mastered, you can increase the exercise by:

• Having your arms further away from your body
• Doing it on one leg (the other one being straight up, aligned with the bent one)

#6. Sliding plank

• Move into plank position on the slide board 
• Keeping your arms in the same spot, slide backwards while not falling on the ground
• Slide back up to original position

3 steps to take care of your sliding board

1. Store it properly

The material must keep its integrity.
Always keep you slide board in a clean, dry and temperate room.
Protect it from any moisture and dust.

2. Set up

When setting up your slide board for practice, try the following:

• avoid direct sunlight for too long (to prevent warping of the surface)
• always set up on a flat surface without any rocks or uneven elements below
• set it up on a clean and dry surface
• never use it without the proper slippers - do not walk on it with normal shoes, you may create scratches on the surface
• And do not wear your slide booties outside of the slide board!

3. Clean it frequently

And, of course, you should clean it regularly to remove dust and maintain the sliding surface

• Clean it regularly with a clean towel and warm water - allow it to dry before use
• Once in a while treat the surface with a silicone spray or a slide polish - But always check recommendations on the manual first!

DIY sliding board

If you have a limited budget or just like doing things yourself, you can create a DIY slide board.
However, there are good chances that it won't slide as well.

Here are some instructions (improved from here):

Materials (around 25 USD)

• 4'x8' sheet plywood - Quantity 1
• 4'x8' board of melamine (white board) - Quantity 1
• 2x4x8 piece of wood - Quantity 1
• Liquid nails 
• 3/8" x 3" machine bolt - Quantity 8
• 3/8" wingnuts - Quantity 8
• Piece of foam (at least 2' long)
• Strong glue
• Silicon lubricant or furniture polish
• Antislip material (optional)

Tools

• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Caulk gun
• Drill
• Clean cloth

Instructions

1. Cut both boards to the length you need - it depends on your height (most boards are around 8 feet, but you can find between 6 and 12) - if you are not sure, know that you can place the bumper where you want at the end 
2. Cut both boards to half width - 2 ft is enough for the width of the slide board
3. Set your plywood flat on the ground - remove any dust or pieces of wood above
4. Run liquid nail all around the board at about 3/4 inch of the edge
5. Run liquid nail on the whole board drawing waves
6. Place the melamine board on top of the plywood (white surface facing the top) - apply pressure evenly to stick both boards together (you can walk over it wearing booties or socks)
7. Let the liquid nail dry out
8. ---
9. Cut the 2x4 to fit the width of your board
10. Drill 3/8" holes at both ends (not too close to the edge - 1" to 2" from the edge)
11. Line up the 2x4 with the edges of the board and drill all the way through
12. Bolt from below and fix with the wingnuts above
13. Try to slide and find the right position to do the same on the other side - or drill several holes at various distances to make it adjustable (to be used by different people)
14. Glue a piece of foam inside each bumper (to cushion the bump)
15. Clean up the melamine
16. Apply silicon lubricant or furniture polish onto the surface
17. Rub it in every little corner
18. Wipe away the excess product
19. Let it dry out completely
20. Reapply silicon lubricant or furniture polish to the surface - as needed after multiple uses.
21. Optional - attach or place anti-slip material under the board

Get slide board booties

Medical shoe covers without anti-slip material - or booties from fitness store

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