CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Moncton is requiring residents to wear helmets at all rinks. It has been updated to reflect the fact that Moncton is only requiring the use of helmets at city-owned indoor rinks.
MONCTON – Moncton ice skaters are giving the city’s new mandatory helmet rule the cold shoulder.
The city is requiring all residents to wear helmets on the ice at city-owned indoor rinks and staff say Moncton is the first city in the province to do so. The policy was put in place for the safety of all users and to help prevent injuries, namely head injuries.
Alex Vye and his daughter Willow skate on a rink near Moncton City Hall. Willow is wearing a helmet but her father is not.
Vye says people should be able to chose for themselves.
“It takes the joy out of it. I like the feel of the wind through my hair and the wind through my ears and it’s just awkward,” he said. “I’ve been skating for 30 years. If I hurt myself, it’s my responsibility.”
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However, he says beginners like Willow should wear helmets.
“She’s 11 and she’s just learning how to skate,” he said.
Willow agreed with her father.
“If I fall, I don’t get a concussion,” she said.
Others at the rink also agree with the rule.
Herald Hebert says it could keep people safe.
“There are too many accidents … people falling, busting their heads open, so I think it’s a very good bylaw coming into place,” he said.
There are some exceptions to the rule.
Properly trained figure skaters aren’t required to wear protection.
Hebert said that makes sense depending on the sport.
“There’s no contact and it’s a sport that’s evolved and those people that do figure skating are pretty good skaters,” he said.
But not far away on a rink at Centennial Park, a group of hockey players say the game isn’t always rough.
“This is gentlemanly. Nobody’s out here creaming anybody,” said Toby Holden. “I think it’s a good idea for kids but I think it’s pretty hard for adults who haven’t worn one all their life to start putting one on now.”
Fellow player Allison Glass says a mandatory helmet rule is overkill.
“Either way, a concussion can still happen if you hit the ice with a helmet on, so I think it protects a little bit but not enough that I think you should have to wear one,” he said.
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