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Programs and Equipment Our regular season begins in October at the Lions Arena with our indoor program. Short Track skating is done on an 111m oval track. We have padding around the boards for safety. Races indoors are mass start and it takes a great deal of agility, speed, and strategy to compete in a race. The races are exciting! A skater is not allowed to bump or push another skater and unfortunately there are disqualifications when this happens. Skaters are divided into four groups for practicing: Group 1 - Learn to Skate: consists of the youngest skaters and those just learning. These skaters are wearing hockey skates, figure skates, or speed skates. Their practices take place twice a week, on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Group 2 - Learn to Speed Skate: consists of skaters who have mastered skating backwards, crossovers, stopping and are ready to go full-time on speed skates. These practices are held twice a week, on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Group 3 - Learn to Compete: consists of skaters graduating from group 2 as well as skaters from other disciplines, competent on skates and wanting to give speed skating a try. Their practices take place Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an optional Saturday morning practice along with group 4. During the long track season (December - February) skaters practice at Clarence Downey Oval - generally three times per week. Group 4 - Advanced Competitive: consists of skaters competing at a higher level, with many competing on a national level. These skaters practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday mornings. During the long track season (December - February) skaters practice at Clarence Downey Oval generally 4-5 times per week. Adult Learn-to-Speed Skate: The SLSSC has implemented a new Masters Learn-to-Speed Skate program. Training takes place at Clarence Downey Oval. Short Learn-to-Skate Programs: During the months of September and January, the SLSSC operates two separate 8-session Short Learn-to-Skate programs. These are lessons for the beginner skater, ages 4 years and older. Skaters wear their own hockey or figure skates. See below for more information. September Learn-to-Skate Equipment Required: Along with the boards of the rink being padded for safety, skaters skating short track are required to wear a hard-shell helmet, neck protector, cut-resistant gloves, kneepads and shinpads. The youngest skaters will be most comfortable in wind pants with sweats or long underwear underneath (not snowpants) and a long sleeved shirt with a light close-fitting jacket over top. As skaters progress, they begin to wear skinsuits made of lycra to reduce air resistance. During practices they also wear a shirt over top for warmth. During long track season, for those skaters skating outdoors, it is important to keep an eye on the weather. A toque and neckwarmer become a necessity as well as long underwear and sometimes goggles. More experienced skaters change to long track skates. These skates are equipped with longer blades and have a significantly different boot. Clapskates are becoming popular with the older skaters as these allow the blade to be in contact with the ice longer, therefore increasing speed. The SLSSC has a large inventory of skates (short track and some long track) to rent to members. A damage deposit is taken and then a seasonal fee is applied (around $75). Speed skates are an expensive commodity and renting allows families to change skates according to their children's growing feet each year. As well, the SLSSC rents out skinsuits on a yearly basis ($10). Speed skates require some special treatment: skate guards must be worn when coming onto and off of the ice. Once skates are taken off, the guard is put on the blades. The blades rust extremely quickly, so it is imperative to remove all moisture. Philosophy
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