Xtraice rink at Praia Vitória, on Island of Terceira
By George Da Silva – National Teams of ice Hockey
The archipelago of the Azores is located in the middle of the northern hemisphere of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Islands are about 1,360 km (850 mi) west of continental Portugal, about 1,500 km (930 mi) west of Lisbon, in continental Portugal, about 1,500 km (930 mi) northwest of Morocco, and about 2,500 km (1,600 mi) southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.
There are nine major Azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. These are Flores and Corvo, to the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial in the centre; and São Miguel, Santa Maria,
and the Formigas Reef to the east and the Population of the islands are about 250,000.
In 2018 Xtraice opened it ts first ecological ice rink in the Azores (Portugal).
The 100m2 rink was purchased by a Portuguese company that is betting strong on Xtraice synthetic rinks.
Thanks to this initiative the Azorean people and tourists on the island enjoy a typical Christmas activity such as ice skating without being affected by the warm climate on the island.
The rink was installed at Praia Vitória, on Island Terceira. Praia Vitória is one of the most modern cities of The Azores, with a beautiful beach and high class port.
Also In 2019 Xtraice opened a 20x10m rectangular skating rink at Lagoa on the Island of São Miguel. The island is the crown jewel of the Azores not only is it the biggest island, but it the most beautiful island of them all.
Ice Rink in Lagoa, Azores
Local Children skating in Lagoa, Azores
The rinks will ran from the end of November to January 6th of 2019 and from end of November to January 7th of 2020. The rink is ecological and recyclable, avoiding the use of water and electricity. Xtraice rinks are environment friendly which results in large savings both energetically and financially.
No Ice hockey was played but the Azorean people can dream of one day ice hockey being played in the archipelago of the Azores.
