Do you have a child that knows how to skate and is interested in trying Speed Skating? Or maybe you want to try yourself! On October 14, the Yellowknife Speed Skate Club (YKSSC) is hosting an Open House Skate and Bring-a-Friend to Class.
There is no cost to join YKSSC opportunity!
• Come out and learn what speed skating is all about.
• Play games and learn drills.
• Try out a fun and positive on-ice sport.
What skaters will need to bring:
• CSA-approved helmet and gloves.
• Hockey skates. Figure skates are not permitted as the tips make holes in the ice. There will be a limited supply of speed skates available for guests to try at no cost (only available for Multiplex classes).
• A signed waiver, which you can do before you get on the ice. Anyone under the age of 18 needs to come with a parent or guardian to sign for them. We will have waivers on hand for you to sign.
We have two upcoming bagging opportunities giving our skaters (10+) who travel to out-of-town meets a chance to earn some money back. Follow this link to sign up for the October 13 and December 22 dates. We need parents help too please! If you can’t access this link, please email Heather at hmnystrom@hotmail.com with your requested times.
The camp is aimed at competitive youth skaters (L2T, T2T and Juniors) who wish to improve their technique. It will run Oct 12 – Oct 14.
The Head Coach for the camp is Sue Ellis from Rothesay, New Brunswick. Sue is a Level 4 NCCP coach, and 2002 US Olympic Short Track Team Head Coach.
This will be a technical camp, the focus is working on skill development. The camp participants will watch video of Elite World Cup and Olympic skaters, and analyze the technique and motions that the skaters perform as they skate. The camp participants will then attempt to recreate the motions in dry land exercises and then transfer those skills to the ice. One of the main differences of this camp, is that the skaters will develop an understanding of the technique that they are trying to develop and why; they can then use this knowledge when they analyze their own skating in the future.
The camp will run from approximately 8:30am – 5:00pm each day, with two ice times, dry land, video analysis, and one hour for lunch. Cost for the three days is $270 and we have a limit of 25 skaters. More information can be directed to ianmellors@shaw.ca. They welcome skaters on a first come basis up to the 25 maximum.
We are very happy to announce that Greg Skauge is our new our Skate Coordinator. Skaters who need to rent speed skates (usually for levels SSII and up) can try on and pick up rental skates before the season starts during the following times:
Thursday, September 6 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Monday, September 10 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Skates are rented from our locker room at the Multiplex (back room of the Ed Jeske ice surface). Please contact ykspeedskating@gmail.com if neither of these scheduled times work and you need to make other arrangements.
As noted in our Skate Rental Policy, renters take responsibility for the proper care, maintenance and safe handling of the skates and blades during the rental season. It is recommended skates are sharpened monthly or every 5 -10 practices depending on skater’s size, ability and care of the blades. Your skates can be sharpened by one of our older skaters. If you need contact information for a sharpener, please look on our Facebook page or contact us for more information.
We are back with a great season planned for our skaters!
Step 1 – Register
The easiest way to register is with the online registration form. All skaters must be registered before getting on the ice. Registration closes October 31 for the season.
If you want to register in person or ask us questions about our programs, please visit our table at the Yellowknife Community Showcase, Wednesday, September 12 (from 6:00 – 8:00) at the Yellowknife Community Arena.
Step 2 – Payment
After registering, you will need to forward payment. You can do this one of two ways:
E-transfer the funds to ykspeedskating.regs@gmail.com. Please use the password “Yellowknife” in your transfer and please include the skaters name and program you registered for in the message.
Cheque, payable to Yellowknife Speed Skating Club.
You can drop a cheque off to us at the Yellowknife Community Showcase, Wednesday, September 12 (from 6:00 – 8:00) at the Yellowknife Community Arena.
You can mail the cheque: Box 2664, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P9
A variety of safety equipment is required for each skater depending of their program level. A full equipment list for each program is listed on the individual program pages on our website. For more information about appropriate safety equipment, visit Speed Skate Canada.
New this year, tinted safety glasses are NOT allowed during competition. As well, you must have a strap for your glasses.
There are various places online you can purchase certified safety equipment. Visit our Equipment page for links and more information.
Closer to home, Overlander Sports in Yellowknife typically brings in a selection of certified helmets, safety glasses, cut-proof gloves and more at the start of the season for our skaters!
We also have a Used Equipment Swap Shop where you can find deals on various types of speedskating equipment from skates to skinsuits! If you have something to sell, let us know!
Will you need a Club suit this season?
The Club has one YKSSC suit left for sale (small adult size). The Club is also considering ordering more suits before the upcoming season. It would be useful to know ahead of time how many will be needed. If you are interested in buying a YKSSC suit this year, please contact Alexandre Larouche at alexandre.larouche@live.ca
NWTSSA is holding their 2018 Speed Skate Camp on August 22 – 26 in Yellowknife. There is something for everyone this year including a new session for those who have never speedskated before but want to try it out. This is also the least expensive camp by far in Yellowknife! Register here!
Volunteer opportunities are a way for our skaters to raise funds for end-of-the-year reimbursement for out-of-town meets they attended that year. The following opportunities will go toward the 2018/19 race fund.
Co-op grocery bagging is Saturday, May 5. Heather will be looking for volunteers for the following shifts: 10-12, 12-2, 2-4. Email Heather to sign up please.
Spring Clean-up planned for the third week of May (date TBC). We will email more information when we have it!
Cleaning the shed this spring and need to get rid of those bottles? Consider donating your bottle refund to the YKSSC! Here’s how it works: bring in a maximum of 10 bags to the depot. Look on the side board for the YKSSC code (#4469334). Use their machine to print out labels with this code on it – one for each bag you have. Stick a label on each of the bags. Leave the rest to the Depot. Less work for you and we appreciate your donation!
Our annual year-end BBQ and Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 29, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Ski Club. We will provide the hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, as well as your own plates, cups and cutlery.
Vacant Position for 2018/19 Season
At the AGM we will have elections for our 2018/19 Board. Karin has resigned as President/Chair of YKSSC (insert sad face here) so we are seeking a new leader. If anyone is interested in joining this amazing Board of volunteers (for any role), please let us know!