Frequently Asked Questions

Made in USA!

Global Synthetic Ice Clearwater, FL, U.S.A. Phone: 305-218-2966

Alicia McInerney Figure Skating on Super-Glide

Alicia McInerney is seen on stage performing a beautiful figure skating show on Super-Glide Ultra. The size is a 24' x 24' and you can see Alicia complete some excellent moves: a sit spin, lay back spin, loop jump and two great Axles. This can only be accomplished on a product made specifically for ice skating, Super-Glide Ultra. Real ice would be too difficult a task for this situation. Here at Global Synthetic Ice we are glad we could help make this skaters dreams come true. If you have... More >

1/7/2013 3:53:00 PM

New Rink in Quincy Il. has Great Grand Opening

We were recently in Quincy, IL, helping to open the new River Skate Super-Glide rink right on the Mississippi River.This is a beautiful setting, and over 200 skaters joined us opening day, all having a great time and planning to return.The size of the rink is 81 panels (36’ X 81’) which is plenty of room to hold 50 skaters at one time.Watch the video:Or read the newspaper article by clicking the link below:Quincy Herald Article... More >

11/16/2012 4:38:00 PM

Is it ice?

Is it Ice? That is what everyone is saying when they see our newest Super-Glide video. The kids are Mites and Squirts and now have to play against Pee Wee teams because of their training on Super-Glide. After only a few months, noticeable improvements were found in all skaters. Some, who were once among the slowest, improved so much they are now the fastest. We've seen this over the last twelve years, time and time again. Is it ice? No, it’s Super-Glide Synthetic Ice!! Check out the video bel... More >

10/22/2012 11:25:00 AM

NHL 13 video game by EA Sports

When big companies want the best, they call on Global Synthetic Ice. Here is Dean Richards, who played professional hockey in Europe, skating on Super-Glide Synthetic Ice to introduce NHL 13 ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada and to be published by EA Sports. Mr. Richards is skating on Super-Glide Heavy Duty and most in the audience thought it was real ice, this happens a lot when Super-Glide replaces ice in skating shows. ... More >

9/10/2012 4:06:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Super-Glide^®?

How does Super-Glide^® work?

What is the Size and Thickness of Super-Glide^®?

How does Super-Glide^® fit together?

How easily is a Super-Glide^® rink assembled?

Can Super-Glide^® be laid on grass?

How does a hockey puck react on a Super-Glide^® surface?

Can a Super-Glide^® skating rink be damaged by frost or extreme sun exposure?

Is a roof required over a Super-Glide^® skating rink?

Is drying an outdoor Super-Glide^® skating rink after rain necessary?

How do you maintain the surface?

How do you clean the Super-Glide^® surface?

What is the life expectancy of the Super-Glide^® surface?

What is Super-Glide^®?

It’s a high-tech plastic that you can skate on. Super-Glide^® is a synthetic ice skating surface composed of specially engineered polymers that permit a skate blade to glide as smoothly as on real ice.

How does Super-Glide^® work?

Skating on ice means gliding on a thin layer of water as the blade’s friction generates heat and melts the ice surface. Skating on Super-Glide® causes the same friction and heat, which releases lubricants chemically engineered into Super-Glide^®. This sets Super-Glide^® synthetic ice apart from all competitors. Older synthetic ice surfaces required silicone lubricants. When skate blades cut through the silicone and hit dry spots, skaters felt undesirable "chatter" that increased friction and made skating harder. Super-Glide^®’s unique formula eliminates "chatter" and allows the blade to glide smoothly at all times.

What is the Size and Thickness of Super-Glide^®?

Super-Glide^® panels are available in two standard sizes. Super-Glide^® Heavy-Duty panels measure 48" x 96" x 1/2" (122cm x 244cm x 1.27cm) and weigh approximately 80 lbs (36 kg) each. Super-Glide^® Ultra panels measure 48" x 48" x 3/8" (122 cm x 122 cm x 0.95 cm) and weigh approximately 33 lbs (14.96 kg) each. Heavy Duty panels are recommended for commercial installations. Ultra panels are lighter, reducing shipping costs and making installation easier. The smaller home panels can easily be installed by one person.

How does Super-Glide^® fit together?

Super-Glide^® uses special "seamless technology" to control expansion and eliminate cracks during contraction. Patent-pending cut outs are engineered to withstand forces above 200,000 pounds, allowing any size surface to be built inside or outside in extreme temperatures. The system also has patent-pending tabs on the sides that eliminate vertical movement. This is the most advanced system to date.

How easily is a Super-Glide^® rink assembled?

Two people can easily assemble a home rink in a matter of hours. Panels require just a few minutes each to install on a properly prepared sub-surface..

Can Super-Glide^® be laid on grass?

Not directly, we have developed a sub-floor system for grassy areas. The sub-floor is laid first, followed by the Super-Glide^® surface.

How does a hockey puck react on a Super-Glide^® surface?

A hockey puck will glide across the Super-Glide^® surface just as fast as on ice.

Can a Super-Glide^® skating rink be damaged by frost or extreme sun exposure?

No. Super-Glide^® is virtually unaffected by high and low temperatures and is UVA protected.

Is a roof required over a Super-Glide^® skating rink?

No roofing is needed over a Super-Glide^® rink, but a roof does prevent contaminants from falling on the skating surface. Excessive surface dirt slows the skate blade’s glide.

Is drying an outdoor Super-Glide^® skating rink after rain necessary?

Super-Glide^® is waterproof and can be skated on wet, if desired.

How do you maintain the surface?

Super-Glide^® is extremely durable. Other than keeping it clean, nothing really needs to be done.

How do you clean the Super-Glide^® surface?

Sweeping or vacuum-cleaning the surface after heavy use will suffice. Heavily polluted rinks can be cleaned with a non-bleach cleaners (Simple Green or Dawn) and then rinsed with water. Pressure washing restores the surface to new condition with slight scraches that do not affect the skater.

What is the life expectancy of the Super-Glide^® surface?

Each Super-Glide^® panel is reversible for skating on both sides. With proper care, they can last well beyond 10 - 20 years.

See the video that sold the Oprah Winfrey Show on
Super-Glide Ultra!

Canadian Full Size rink with Lines and Goal Creases

The Patented Difference, interlocking tabs with the unique side bump and groove system keep panels locked together for superior strength and smoothness over any other product.

Super-Glide synthetic ice skates like ice!

2009 NHL Draft, Montreal Canada, Super-Glide^® is there

Great for Hockey or Figure Skating!

Outdoor hockey in 80 degree weather