SKATE FAST
Membership
association membership
All speed skaters in British Columbia are registered to both Speed Skating Canada and Speed Skating BC. Membership is required to participate, compete, volunteer, or try speed skating. Membership categories are listed below.
NATIONAL
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
PROVINCIAL
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
CLUB
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
INTRODUCTORY
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
TRY SPEED SKATING
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
COACH
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
Official
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
Volunteer
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Speed Skating Canada
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BC Speed Skating
Speed Skating Pathway
The Regional Stream objective is to provide an introduction to speed skating within a safe and welcoming sport environment. This stream focuses on:
- Social interaction and fun
- Personal achievement
- Overall development of fundamental physical skills and competency
- Base for lifelong participation in sport and physical activity
- Individualization for each participant to reflect their unique abilities and development
- Volunteerism and knowledge development.
Eligible Skaters
Regional Stream skaters include all Active Start, FUNdamentals, Special Olympics and Active for Life skaters. The Regional Stream also encompasses novice Learn to Train, Train to Train and Competitive for Life skaters.
Competitions
Regional Stream skaters compete in regional events, for example: club Minimeets, BC Interclubs, Short Track FUNales and the Long Track FUNale.
The Provincial Stream objective is to provide an integrated athletic development speed skating program, which allows skaters to progress towards excellence or to enjoy lifelong participation in meaningful sport and physical activity. This stream focuses on:
- Appropriate/individualized planning, training and competitive environments
- Personal achievement leading towards excellence
- Volunteerism and knowledge development
- Social interaction/fun
Eligible Skaters
Provincial Stream skaters include Learn to Train, Train to Train and Competitive for Life skaters who have achieved defined time standards.
Competitions
Provincial Stream skaters compete in provincial and inter-provincial events, for example: BC Interclubs, BC Winter Games, BC Provincial Championships, Canada West Short Track Championship and the Canadian Age Class Long Track Championship.
Racing Events
Provincial Stream skaters compete on the 100m or 111.12m track (short track) and the 400m oval (long track), skating in the counter-clockwise direction. Races are a combination of traditional and skills-based races (e.g. team relays, pursuits, points races, partner events etc.).
Skater Recognition
Provincial Stream skaters are recognized for personal achievement and on a results-based system. The Cutting Edge Pin Program (run by Speed Skating Canada) rewards skaters for personal achievements, and relies on the local club to administer the program and distribute awards to skaters. Club coaches may also keep track of a skater’s PB (personal best) time. Skaters in the Provincial Stream may be provided awards at competitions based on overall placing, and may be ranked provincially or inter-provincially, for the purpose of naming onto teams or into programs.
Team BCSSA
Provincial Stream skaters may be selected to represent Team BCSSA at an age-class national championship
The Performance Stream objective is to provide resources to support BC skaters towards excellence at the national and international level. This stream focuses on:
- Provincial meaningful competitive experiences
- Enhanced training environments, with appropriate/individualized planning and periodization
- Financial/material support
- Skater representation at provincial Multi-Sport Organizations and National Sport Organization levels
- Mastery/excellence in sport.
Eligible Skaters
Performance Stream skaters include select Train to Train, and all Learn to Compete, Train to Compete, Learn to Win and Train to Win skaters.
Competitions
Performance Stream skaters compete in inter-provincial, national and international competitions, for example: the Western Elite Circuit, Canada Winter Games, Canadian Open Championship and the Canadian Junior Championships.
Racing Events
Performance Stream skaters compete on the 111.12m track (short track) and the 400m oval (long track), skating in the counter-clockwise direction. Races include traditional speed skating events and team events (e.g. short track relays and long track pursuits).
Skater Recognition
Performance Stream skaters are recognized for personal achievements and on a results-based system. Coaches or skaters may track the skater’s PB (personal best) time. Skaters in the Performance Stream may be provided awards at competitions based on overall placing, and will be ranked provincially, nationally and internationally for the purpose of naming onto teams or into programs. See GenBC Performance Program.
Team BCSSA
Performance Stream skaters may be selected to represent Team BCSSA at an age-class national championship
Skater Support Programs
Performance Stream skaters have two options for Stage 2 (on the Elite Athlete Pathway) training locations in Western Canada. Both programs are an extension of BCSSA programs, but are not directly run nor funded by BCSSA:
- Richmond Olympic Oval – Oval HP Speed Skating Performance Program
- Calgary Olympic Oval – Oval Program
Speed Skating Pathway
Disciplines
Short Track
Long Track
Short track speed skating takes place on a 111.12m (or 100m) oval track on a rink (Olympic size or NHL size). Because the corners are tight and it can be difficult for skaters to maintain control, the boards must be covered by protective mats of polyurethane foam at least 20 cm thick with a minimum height of 1 m. The mats are covered with a water-resistant and cut-resistant material and they must be attached to the boards as well as to each other. Skaters race pack-style where the first competitor to cross the line wins.
Racing in pairs, counterclockwise, on two lanes of a 400m oval track, the skaters change lanes every lap in order to equalize the distance covered. The skater in the outside lane has the right-of-way at the crossover if the skaters arrive at the same time. Racing includes Olympic Style, mass start (pack-style), and team pursuit.
Equipment
head protection
A helmet. Ski/snowboard, hockey or roller sport helmets are all acceptable. Bike helmets cannot be used because the large vents allow skate blades to pass through. Many clubs will have spare helmets for use.
Neck protection
A neck guard- bib style. Many clubs will have spare neck guards for use.
hand protection
Cut-proof gloves or mittens. Ski mitts or leather gloves are best. Hockey gloves are also acceptable.
Ankle Protection
Well-fitting, tall socks. Socks that are too short can cause skin irritation and blisters due to friction against the inside of the skates. A cut and puncture resistant anklet must be worn on both legs, covering the legs from the tops of the boots to 10 cm above the tops of the boots.
Skate blades
The rear and front tips of all skate blades must be rounded to a minimum radius of 1cm.
eye protection
Shatter-resistant clear glasses or a complete visor are required for all skaters. All glasses must be held in place by a strap.
rest of body protection
Comfortable, athletic-style long sleeve top and pants. A skin suit is not required at the introductory level. As a skater progresses in the sport and begins to compete at national-level competitions, they will require a skin suit with cut-proof material meeting or exceeding ISU standards.
knee protection
Knee pads. Soft, volleyball style pads are preferred, although plastic roller sport pads are also acceptable. If possible, plastic pads should be worn underneath the skater’s pants. Hockey knee/shin pads are acceptable, but may limit the skater’s movement. Knee pads that are built-in to a skin suit are also acceptable.
Shin Protection
Shin guards. Hard soccer shin guards are best, but hockey knee/shin pads are also acceptable.