#RARAWARRIOR took a crash course at the MIHF Hockey Academy, with the Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey team, taking her first stride on ice, April 13 at Malaysia National Ice Skating Stadium (MYNISS). But how does it feel for a normal person (someone who has never played ice hockey in their entire life before) to play ice hockey?
If you don't already know or perhaps haven't been watching SuriaTV or listening to Suria FM because Hitz FM and Fly FM is, well, fly-er, dope-er because they're in English, you may want to check out #RARAWARRIOR at SuriaTV now.
So, #RARAWARRIOR is none other than our beloved Malaysian comedian, Sharifah Shahira who at Suria FM, every morning will take on challenges her friends at Suria Pagi (Fizi Ali and Zulin Aziz) throw at her. One morning they had an epic idea. — Enroll Rara for an ice hockey crash course. It wasn't just your ordinary ice hockey crash course, it's an ice hockey Goalkeeper crash course.
Can a normal person become an ice hockey goalkeeper overnight? Of course, without a doubt! — But not without being able to at least balance on ice in goalie skates, using a stick to even out the body balance and getting other people to help you gear up.
Unless if you're a solid ice skater, skier, or just naturally good at any sports, chances are you're going to look a lot like Rara. But even Rara was an awesome sport as a first-timer.
She wasn't actually too bad when team Malaysia took a couple of shots at her. If she continued coming for classes every week without fail, she could actually be a solid contender to other seasoned goalkeepers in Malaysia.
Check out her Promo Episode 3 on #RARAWARRIOR at SuriaTV YouTube channel. The full episode will be out in the coming weeks.
But what are the steps that you can take to get as far as Rara did?
1. Test the ice!
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
While helping RARA lace up her skates, she told me she needed to test the ice and get her legs and nerves comfortable so when she has the full gear on, she won't be so shaky. Not too bad on the balancing bit, Rara. I say it was a good start.
2. Find a coach to show you the ropes
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
Since Rara was trying out as a goalie, getting Azuma, Malaysia's starting goalkeeper from the women's team, is a no-brainer. Her extensive goalie experience and her knowledge of keeping the house (the net) in check, coupled with her awesome personality, and goalie skills, make her the perfect coach for Rara.
3. Get the right gear
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
Coach; check. Time to gear up! We'd like to think that at this point Rara is feeling less stressed out than when she had just her skates on. Typically, when a person gets into full gear for the first time, feeling invincible is quite natural. (Note: I didn't say they would be invincible, they would just feel they are.)
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
For someone who has never played hockey before, gearing up can make a person go what did I get myself into? kind of moment. Be warned, gearing up tend to suck out all your energy even before you step on the ice. But don't fret, it won't last long and because there are people around you to help, your first ice hockey experience doesn't have to be a tiring one.
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
It wouldn't be a crash course if you don't start crashing into boards or other players
4. Learn basic skating
In Rara's context (or any beginner really), basic skating means learning how to balance on the ice first and then move towards learning how to stride, one foot after the other. All she needed to learn in her very first ice hockey lesson was to bend her knees, use her hands to balance herself, look forward instead of looking down and begin to stride.
5. Don't think, just go for it
Image: Malaysia Women's Ice Hockey
Once Rara is ready and has accepted that the ice from now on, not always will be the most slippery surface she has ever step foot on, it was time to take it to the net. Time to really embrace being a goalie. We're proud to report that she took the crash course like a champ. She didn't overthink and just went for it.
Curious about what it would be like if you were to take ice hockey lessons today? Well, good news for you. If you want to try out like Rara, join the MIHF Hockey Academy. More details below:
Date: Fridays
Venue: Malaysia National Ice Skating Stadium (MYNISS), Empire City Damansara
Time: 8 p.m to 9 p.m
Fees:
Ice Hockey Player (5 classes): RM 250
Ice Hockey Player (Walk-in): RM 60
Ice Hockey Goalie (5 classes) RM 150
Ice Hockey Goalie (Walk-in) RM 40
And guess what, gear rentals are FREE! If eventually you decide to play hockey for a long time, you can borrow gears from the federation until you are able to get your own set of gears. How neat is that eyh?
If you need more clarification, email to enquiry@mihf.my or head to Malaysia Ice Hockey Federation (MIHF) Facebook Page to get hockey updates.