Bottom basin | Channel | Middle basin | Rushcutters bay | The neck | Top basin

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The channel flows from the middle basin to the lower basin. It is often possible to skate on the two basins, but not be able to skate between them due to the ice not being sufficiently strong. The reason for the reduction in ice strength in the channel is due to the increased water flow in this area. Special care must be taken when skating through the channel as the combination of both reduced ice strength and increased water flow can be very dangerous. It pays to constantly monitor to the ice thickness and strength when skating through it.

The safest section to skate on is usually the left hand side when skating from the middle to bottom basins as the waterflow is strongest on the other side and this is also the most sheltered side as it sits directly underneath a large hill.

Dave Young drilling to test the ice thickness in the channel. The middle basin can be seen in the background. 10th July 2010. Photo courtesy of Ryan Hellyer.

Hockey in the channel. From left: Nick Patchett, Ben Roth and Stephanie Patchett. July 2007. Photo courtesy of Ryan Hellyer.