How a 25 year old entrepreneur made $16 million last year selling backyard ice rinks?
Dylan Gastel
Dylan Gastel, the 25-year-old founder of EZ ICE in Newton, MA, saw stratospheric sales last year, despite the challenges the pandemic presented to many business owners. Gastel originally started his business building backyard ice rinks the traditional way — with plywood and stakes — while he was still in high school.
What is a good size backyard ice rink?
CHOOSING YOUR RINK SIZE
| Size | Availability |
|---|---|
| Less than 800sq.ft. 20′ x 40′ or smaller | Portable installed Do-It-Yourself Kit Pool Rinks Indoors or Outdoors |
| 1400sq.ft. to 3200sq.ft. 28′ x 50′ to 40′ x 80′ | Portable installed or Do-It-Yourself Kit Permanent Sport Pad Indoors or Outdoors |
How do you build an ice hockey rink in your backyard?
It just means that you need a lot more lumber. Basically you just need about four to six inches of water above wherever that level line is so if you don’t call a guy you’re going to need more lumber.
How do I turn my backyard into a skating rink?
There are 5 steps to completing this project:
- Step 1: Find Level Ground and Lay Out the Frame.
- Step 2: Frame your Backyard Ice Rink.
- Step 3: Line your Backyard Skating Rink with a Tarp.
- Step 4: Fill your Ice Rink with Water and Let it Freeze.
- Step 5: Hang Up Lights to Finish Off your Backyard Ice Rink.
Who owns EZ ice?
Dylan Gastel –
Dylan Gastel – Inventor & CEO – EZ ICE Rinks, Inc.
How cheap can you build a backyard ice rink?
DIY How To Build a Backyard Ice Rink Cheap & Easy! – YouTube
Can I use a tarp for ice rink?
Use a tarp or similar material to cover the area before filling the space with water. Fill it all up at once so the water can level out – freezing in layers can create an uneven surface. The following floods should be with hot water if available. Once you have two to three inches of ice your rink will be ready!
How do you keep an outdoor ice rink frozen?
Before you get any cracks, or when you fix any holes or cracks you have in the ice, and it’s cold enough and going to stay cold enough to keep your ice frozen, you should put many “thin” layers of water/ice on the rink, letting each layer freeze before adding another layer.
Can you use a tarp for an ice rink?
Can you make an ice rink without a liner?
You do not need a plastic liner or tarp if you are making an old fashioned backyard ice rink (traditional). In order to make ice, you simply pack snow, flood the snow surface with water and allow it to freeze. You can make this traditional backyard ice rink with or without boards.
Can you flood a rink when it’s snowing?
Shariff says you should never flood during a cold snap because it produces brittle ice that easily cracks. If that does happen, Shariff says you just need to wait until the temperature rises. Then fill the cracks immediately with a mixture of of water and snow and give your rink a warm water bath to smooth things out.
Should I fill my rink all at once?
Fill it all up at once so the water can level out – freezing in layers can create an uneven surface. The following floods should be with hot water if available. Once you have two to three inches of ice your rink will be ready!
How long does it take for 4 inches of ice to freeze?
Ice may form quickly when temperatures tumble, but it takes more time than you might think for ice to reach the four-inch thickness that experts recommend. On average, it takes four days of below freezing temperatures to form ice that is safe. Also, this guideline is for ponds and lakes.
How do you make a cheap ice skating rink?
How To Build a Backyard Ice Rink | Ask This Old House – YouTube
How do you smooth a bumpy ice rink?
Keep your ice smooth to avoid any injuries that can come with a bad fall. Regularly flood your rink with a layer of water—an ice resurfacer and a thin layer of hot water will help you create a smooth surface. The ideal temperature to flood your ice is between -7 and -20 degrees Celsius.
Can I flood my rink with snow on it?
What is the best temperature to flood an ice rink?
1. Wait until the frost is into the ground at least 2 inches and be sure the weather will remain below -4º (24ºF) for several days before attempting to flood. 2. If snow is available, create a wall on perimeter of rink.
Is ice thicker in the middle of a lake?
Re: Is lake ice thicker in the middle or close to shore? Ice on the edge is limited to the depth of the water at the edge. So it is always thicker towards the middle.
How much weight will 8 inches of ice hold?
Loads on Ice
| Required Minimum Ice Thickness in inches | Description of Safe Moving Load |
|---|---|
| 3 | A group of people walking single file |
| 7 | A single passenger automobile |
| 8 | A 2-1/2 ton truck |
| 9 | A 3-1/2 ton truck |
How do you build a backyard ice rink without a liner?
How to build an outdoor rink without a liner !! – YouTube
Should I flood my rink with hot water?
Yes, using cold water is just fine to make your backyard rink. If the temperature is in the -10 to -20 celsius range your water can be cold or warm. When the temperature is colder than -20 it’s best to flood your rink with warmer water for best results.
How much weight can 10 inches of ice?
Loads on Ice
| Required Minimum Ice Thickness in inches | Description of Safe Moving Load |
|---|---|
| 7 | A single passenger automobile |
| 8 | A 2-1/2 ton truck |
| 9 | A 3-1/2 ton truck |
| 10 | A 7 to 8 ton truck |
Is 3 inches of ice safe to walk on?
As a general rule of thumb, ice is safe to walk on when there is 4 inches or more of clear ice. It is important to understand that different types of ice varying in their strength. Clear blue or black ice is the strongest. This ice is formed from the lake water freezing.
What color ice is the safest to walk on?
Blue ice
Blue ice must be at least 15 cm thick to be safe to walk on. If a group of people are venturing out onto it, 20 cm thick is safe. At least 25 cm thick is best for snowmobiling, and it should be even thicker for bigger vehicles — 30 cm or more for cars and light trucks, and 40-50 cm thick for anything larger.
How thick does ice have to be to drive a truck?
According to the Department of Natural Resources, 12-15 inches of solid ice is needed to safely drive a truck onto a lake or pond. 8-12 inches is needed for normal passenger vehicles. For snowmobiling, a minimum of 5 inches is recommended.