Beijing is Hot and Smoggy. I could never imagine how bad it was during the Olympics when they always made such a big deal about it. Well it’s unimaginable. Everyday is like Edmonton down wind from the worst northern forest fires, then just add +35 and 90 plus % humidity.

Camp got underway 12 hours after landing here in Beijing. We are treated incredibly well by our hosts, I would call it spoiled actually, I feel like a Canadian dignitary. We are shuttled around, we are taken out for meals and tours and the coolest part was our arrival on day 1 to the rink where we were driven in and escorted like rock stars through a private entrance by lots of people with suits and walkie talkies.  

Day 1 of camp was such a blast, we were pumped up, and the kids and parents were excited to have us out there. To add to the fun there was also an opening ceremony done for the rink in the middle of camp, they do everything big here that’s for sure.  The rink we are in is actually in a mall, West Edmonton Mall style.  

No time was wasted either in getting out and taking in many of the incredible sights. We squeezed in tours of the Forbidden City and Tienamin (sp?) Square following our day of camp.

In addition to the on ice sessions, the kids are put through some Canadian style dryland training and the parents take in seminars by the coaches on things such as the minor hockey system, Collegiate hockey, player development and physical and nutritional education.