How to Get Started Playing Bandy in Asia
Pick up a pair of skates and a bandy stick, then find ice time. The sport exists in pockets across Kazakhstan, parts of Russia, and a few spots in China and Japan, so start with whatever rink or club is nearest you.
Practical first steps
Most new players in Asia join an existing group rather than starting from scratch. In Almaty you can show up for weekend sessions at Medeu rink. In Khabarovsk, Russia, local clubs run open skates on weekday evenings. Contact them through simple messaging apps; they usually reply within a day or two.
- Get basic kit: bandy skates (different from hockey ones), a wooden or composite stick, shin guards, and a helmet. A full set runs 150 to 300 USD at most Asian sports shops or second-hand groups.
- Learn the surface. Bandy rinks are larger than hockey rinks, so practice long passes and skating endurance on any 100 by 60 meter sheet you can access.
- Join one session. Watch how the team warms up, then jump into the second half. Rules are explained on the fly.
- Track local schedules on Telegram channels or WeChat groups run by players in your city. Newcomers get added quickly once they show up once.
| Item | Where to get it in Asia | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skates | Almaty markets or online from Moscow | 80-120 USD |
| Stick | Sports stores in Astana or Harbin | 40-70 USD |
| Helmet + guards | Used gear chats | 30-50 USD |
After three or four sessions you will know if the local group practices enough for you or if you need to travel to the next city for better ice.