Stephen Swensen, Utah YardRink Owner Since 2023
As an avid hockey watcher and someone who decided to take up the sport in high school, I’ve always dreamed of having a rink in my backyard. Over the last few years, it’s been a goal of mine to share my love of skating with my wife and four kids. Despite our busy schedules, I was thrilled to see my wish slowly coming true – my wife started skating and watching hockey with me, and soon my kids followed suit. So, with everyone catching the passion for the sport, we knew it was finally time to set up a backyard rink.
A Backyard Rink That Plays Like a Real Rink
I was immediately drawn to YardRink, not just because of its design but also because the tarp was positioned on the outside of the rink. Setting it up was a breeze, thanks to the easy-to-read instructions that laid everything out for us. We thought the slight slope in our yard would pose a challenge, but fitting the boards together and flooding them was surprisingly easy, and the rink felt sturdy and playable. Once the rink froze in December, we couldn't wait to hit the ice.
From a performance standpoint, we love that our YardRink plays and feels like a real rink, all thanks to the rounded corners and the tarp on the outside. The nets worked seamlessly as we practiced our shooting with the goal set up on the ice. While it might be common knowledge in the ODR community, the tarp on the outside of the rink was a total game-changer for us – I couldn't believe more people weren’t doing this already. Though we’re only a few months into the season, we’re loving it so much that I’m already thinking about making the rink bigger next year.
Family Fun for All Ages
Playing on our YardRink has been a fun way for our family to connect and get together after school and on the weekends. My kids come home every day and ask if we can get out on the rink and will spend hours out there until dusk, simply having fun. Sometimes I join them to work on my puck handling or skating skills, but mostly, we love inventing new games to play on the ice.
It’s become a conversation starter with our family, friends, and neighbors, and it’s not just my family enjoying the rink. One specific time that comes to mind is when my four-year-old niece learned about our backyard setup and begged her parents to bring her over to go ice skating. My family skates, but her’s doesn't, so it was a no-brainer to have them over and let her try skating with all of us in a safe and fun environment. Needless to say, she had a blast and we all had fun as we skated, enjoyed a fire, ate some delicious smores, and made lasting memories.
I also appreciate the convenience of being able to walk right outside versus having to pack up and drive to a rink. It’s been great for my wife and me to do something with our kids that they are really interested in – and all within the comfort of our own backyard!
