Oxford Ice Rink has got some new arrivals on the ice in the form of 15 penguins.
The new skating aids have all been given their own names after a competition was launched for schools in the city.
The ‘name the penguins’ competition was won by the Year 5/6 class at New Hinksey Primary School. The names they chose for the penguins are: Snow Angel, Snowflake, Snowy, Fish Fingers, Ice Pole, Lollipop, Icicle, Igloo, Freezerpop, Shooting Star, Ice Slider, Lola, Flip Flop, Flipper and Waddles. The class has also won a skating session at the rink.
The penguins are available for hire during public skating sessions and help children learn to skate. They encourage a correct skating stance and have been approved by skating teachers.
Councillor Mark Lygo, board member for sport and play, said: “Penguins are an ideal way to help children develop their ice skating skills. They hold onto them as they skate, which can help build their confidence on the rink.
“These are a new tool for the ice rink, and I hope that children will put them to good use.
“We wanted to get children involved in naming the penguins and we’ve had some great names. I hope the class enjoy their session at the rink.”
Loraine Christensen, teacher and PE co-ordinator at New Hinksey Primary School, said: “We were thrilled to hear we had won. The winning entries were from our Year 5/ 6 class. We are a small inner-city school and are really looking forward to visiting the rink. In addition to the winning class we are also taking our year 3 /4 class to skate.”