Last year was my first year with a backyard rink. It went well for the most part, but the one issue I had was some bowing in the deep end. I used 1/2" OSB sheathing. It was pretty flimsy, especially combined with the 1x2x24" stakes I originally used.

What type of plywood is strong enough to help resist bowing? I also want to use a product durable enough to withstand pucks and bodies slamming into it. The deep end boards will be framed in 4x4' sections. I'll be reinforcing the deep end with angle braces every couple of feet.

Can't speak from personal experience, because I'm building my first rink right now. I chose 1/2" plywood, but I'm also building frames of 2x4 to match the plywood outline/shape which will give it much more strength than if it was just braced from stakes in the ground.

But I have read from others on the site that OSB in particular is very flimsy stuff and will wear down much quicker than similar dimension plywood as it can't handle moisture as well. You might have better luck with just 1/2" plywood, but you'll pay for the difference.

3/4" plywood is thick but still usable, but my local hardware store stocks 23/32" plywood for about $10/sheet cheaper. If you have the time/resources/desire, I've seen folks frame out the back of their boards with inexpensive 2x3 lumber to make it really strong.

My endboards are 3/4" (prefer the thicker plywood for the pucks) and the side and corner boards are 1/2" plywood. Everything is framed in 2x4s. I brace every 8' with 2x4 stakes in the ground. I have never had a problem with the boards bowing.

When installing my kick plates, I only screw at the top of the wood. I try to tuck the bottom part between the ice and the boards. If you can do this or keep the screws about the water line, you shouldn't have to worry about any leaks.

And I always advise folks to wait until your rink is completely frozen before installing kickplates (which it sounds like you're going to do). I know some folks who try to do it right after filling, and that can be risky if you drop a screw or the kickplate itself.

Belated thanks for the responses. I wound up going with 3/4" boards. I think I'd stick to 1/2" if I could do it over again, just to make them a little lighter to move around. I got my first skate in tonight. 11/29 was the first skate last year.

The 3/4" plywood definitely makes for heavy boards, but I haven't put a puck through 3/4", I have put one through 1/2". Hence 1/2" goes on my side boards and the curved corners (hard to bend 3/4" plywood), 3/4" goes on the end boards.