TGHA Update

Jan. 12, 2009

 

Monday Skates Available

Tuesday TGHA Board Meeting

Wednesday IHS Game at Cass

Thursday Cold Forecast for Cass

 

Monday Skates Available

 

Tonight TGHA's supply of used skates will be in Rick's Room from 5:30-7:00 ish for anyone who would like to "shop" for skates for this season or even for the future.  Stop by and see what is in our supply, and consider donating used ones you have or will have next time your daughters get new one!

 

Tuesday TGHA Board Meeting

 

6:30 p.m. in the Harkness Room of Lynah Rink

 

PS This week's 14U and 19U practice is 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday IHS Game at Cass

 

Cheer on the IHS Girls Varsity team as they take on Oswego at Cass Park at 7:15 p.m.  The two teams skated to a 1-1 tie last week!

 

Thursday Cold Forecast for Cass Park Practices

 

Playing in Frigid Cold


A few years ago in January "Professor" John Uber, former TGHA Coaching Coordinator and 19U Head Coach wrote the following for his team and for the TGHA Coaches, and each year there is at least one Cass Park TGHA practice when we all need to be reminded of this information:

"It's January, it's Ithaca, and we have practice tonight at Cass. Who'da seen this coming?

We have one or two of these bitter cold nights each season.

The wind chill is something we have all experienced out there - even when it's reasonable weather - just by skating around on a cold surface. The effect is exacerbated by a colder ambient temperature, and high surface winds. You lose heat principally through two heat transfer mechanisms in this type of weather - conduction and convection (the 19Us will be quizzed on the third mechanism!). The convection is the most dangerous tonight.

A couple of points of caution:

1. Coaches - especially those of younger players - please be mindful of the body temperatures of your players. Some of us coaches have built-in layers of insulation when we go on the ice, but some of your players don't have these natural protectors.  Try to warmup a little before you go on. Another technique is to go out on the ice for a hard 5-10 minute skate, then take the players into the warming area for a few minutes. This will allow the body heat to go through the layers of clothing, and once the body is generating excess heat, the outer layer of clothing will be cold at the
surface, but the body will remain warm. Key terms are thermal gradient, steady state-steady flow, and boundary layer.

If a player complains about the cold, get her off the ice, and allow her to warm up.

2. The extremities (e.g., fingers, toes, ear lobes), and exposed surfaces (face) are the most vulnerable, and the first ones to check. A couple of tricks for protection of these parts -
    - thin layers, long johns, union suits, polypropylene suits.
    - wear thin socks and gloves inside to act as liners. Heavy socks
with tight skates will restrict circulation and increase cooling
    - use a little baby oil on your hands, feet, face, and ears.

The baby oil thing prevents evaporation from those surfaces (and makes your skin oh so smooth and baby fresh)."

 

Mary
Mary M. Grainger
421 Highland Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

Phone 607-257-3268
Fax 607-257-0483
Cell 607-280-4380