In an unbelievable turn of events, children all over Australia are begging their parents for ice skating lessons. The huge rise in demand for ice skating tuition follows the major increase in exposure to competitive ice hockey. The United States of America, along with Canada, Russia and all major ice hockey destinations started a mass export of the sport in 2010. Australian television sets have been beaming ice hockey games to viewers at a rapidly increasing rate over the last six years, with figures peaking earlier this year. Children across the nation are begging their parents for ice skating lessons, Melbourne in particular, has been hit hard.
Industry insiders have called the ongoing obsession with ice skating an epidemic. One family in North Melbourne have reported their children are so fixated by all things ice that they have constructed an igloo in their garden and refuse to leave. Mrs. Jones spoke to us directly and said “I thought the igloo would melt when the sun came out and they would have to return inside but they were one step ahead, re-freezable ice blocks”. Sports stores across Melbourne have experienced record breaking sales of ice skates and ice hockey jerseys. Ice skating lessons are at an all time high with waiting times reaching over two months for a one on one session.
As well as the unprecedented increase in demand for ice skating lessons, ice rinks have also proved to be an extremely popular choice for kids birthday party venues. From toddlers right up to teens, parents are being hounded by their offspring to book ice skating parties. The parties are such a success that ice rinks have had to take on extra support staff to help remove children from the ice rinks at the end of the allocated session.
There has been a mass shutdown of alternative birthday party venues as there is no demand for anything other than ice skating. Multiple venues have released plans to transition into ice rinks and plans for current ice rinks to expand are being considered by city planners. For in depth coverage of the ice epidemic, please stay tuned.