Come see what Canada’s most successful Winter Olympic sport is all about!
Ontario’s top youth speedskaters will be competing in fast-paced races throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, just like the ones you see at the Olympics. Many of these athletes are from your local Hamilton Speedskating Club, where skaters can start as young as 4 years old.
This is a free, family-friendly event and great opportunity to:
discover an exciting Olympic sport
enjoy a unique weekend outing
learn more if you or your child are thinking about trying speed skating next fall
Three skaters from the Hamilton Speedskating Club just represented Ontario in the Neo Junior Championships in Quebec, a national long track competition for Canada’s top 14 and 15 year-old speedskaters. Grayson, Clara and Isla competed from January 8th to 10th against a field of 40 of the country’s top male and female athletes.
The highlight of the weekend came in the women’s team pursuit, where Isla captured the gold medal. All three skaters along with a fourth skater Enzo, also competed earlier this season in the short track Neo-Juniors where Isla was the second highest Ontario skater.
“There are not a lot of long track competition opportunities for Ontario skaters. Unlike Alberta and Quebec, Ontario does not have a long track facility for Ontario athletes. This competition is a great opportunity to compete at a high level, with some of the best long track skaters of my age, in the country.” says Isla.
Grayson posted a top 10 performance, finishing 9th place in the mass start. Unlike traditional long track distances of 500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m, where skaters compete two at a time in their own lanes, the mass start puts all skaters on the ice at once, (24 in Grayson’s case). His short track experience helped him navigate the pack.
“It was an honour to represent Ontario and to compete with the top skaters in Canada.” says Grayson.
On the women’s side, Clara also has a strong weekend. “I am really happy with how I did at Neo juniors. I finished higher than the rank that I came in with and improved in a few of my races. This experience was very fun and I really enjoyed going to race in Quebec. It was overall a great competition and experience.”
The athletes have already returned to training with the Hamilton Speedskating Club as they prepare for upcoming competitions, including an elite meet hosted in Hamilton on February 7 and 8. Several skaters are also aiming to qualify for the Canada Youth Winter Games later this winter.
The skaters train three or more days per week on the ice, complemented by dryland and cross-training sessions. They train alongside approximately 40 other athletes in the club, ranging in age from young children just learning to skate to masters-level skaters.
“The speedskating environment is very welcoming,” said Smits-Talving. “It’s a fun sport and a great one to try.”
The Hamilton-hosted meet will be open to the public and free to attend, providing an opportunity to watch many of Ontario’s top youth speedskaters compete. Races are scheduled throughout the weekend, typically beginning at 9 a.m., and will take place at the Chedoke Twin Pad Arena on February 7 and 8.
At the Hamilton Speedskating Club, athletes experience success in many different ways, from personal best performances in competition to steady improvements in technique or simply trying something new on the ice. Over the coming months, the club will share a series of athlete stories highlighting those moments, offering a glimpse into the experiences of skaters across different ages and levels.
The first story features Jaden, who spoke with us following a recent meet in Brampton about his racing experience and development in the sport.
Q: How long have you been speedskating, and what first got you interested in joining the Hamilton Speedskating Club?
Jaden: I have been speed skating for 2 years now. I got into speed skating because when I was doing power skating, I was more interested in being the fastest than actually doing the drills. So my coach suggested speed skating to my parents.
Q: You recently competed at a meet in Brampton. For readers who may be new to the sport, can you explain what a speedskating meet is like?
Jaden: A meet is a competition where you race against other skaters from different clubs but your main goal is to get a better time or personal best. And if you have the fastest time of your heat/ or category, you get a medal.
Q: We noticed a loud cheering section during one of your races! Who was in your fan zone, and can you tell us about the race that got everyone so excited?
Jaden: My aunties, uncles, cousins, parents, and my sister were in my fan zone. Everyone got excited because I jumped from third place to first place in the last lap on my 400 meter. They also loved seeing the strategy in my 1500m, especially when I chose the right moments to move up.
Q: Coach Mike was busy in the coaches’ box watching races and taking notes. What kinds of things did he talk with you about between races?
Jaden: Coach Mike talked to me about my technique and what I had to fix to get faster, like more cross overs in the corners.
Q: Finally, what would you say to kids who have seen speedskating on TV but might feel nervous about trying it, or don’t realize there’s a local club they could join?
Jaden: I’d tell them that if speedskating feels right for you, it’s worth giving it a try. Talk to your parents and look online to see if there’s a club near you. You won’t know until you try.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, Jaden. We’re looking forward to following your progress as the season continues.
As you buy equipment for the upcoming season, its always a pain to find out who to contact, what’s in stock, etc. In an effort to make it easier for everyone, we’ve launched the webstore. It doesn’t allow you to make payments, it just puts the right people together and you can coordinate over email.
Try it out! Go to Skater Info -> Equipment Webstore
We finally were able to finalize the contract with Dofasco and Tuesday skating will start next week October 7th from 6:15-7:15. As always, arrive early to get ready, we might even be able to setup mats before then.
We are starting learn to skate next Wednesday, October 8th from 5:15-5:45. A reminder for new skaters that you need to bring your own skates and safety gear. Please read through New Skaters and ask us questions if you have any.
Registration for Learn to Skate will open on Friday Sept 12 @ 7am. Please register through the Registration page on the website, it will send you over to our portal.
We will be prioritizing family members of existing skaters and returning learn to skaters. Initially, everyone will be put on a wait-list.
We will contact you afterwards to confirm if you are accepted and will then send you waivers and payment details.
Summer is just wrapping up, so that means back to the ice! Skaters at Chedoke will be starting sometime between September 3rd and September 11th depending on their day of the week and experience level. There will be several other events of interest that will be detailed below.
Sept 2: Mandatory testing for 2nd hour skaters. Bring appropriate clothing/foot wear and water. Meet at the bottom of Chedoke stairs by 6pm.
Sept 3: Start of Wednesday sessions for returning skaters only. Make sure you arrive early in order to get changed and get on the ice at the start of your time. If you are starting new this year, you will start on or after Sept 10th.
Sept 4: Start of Thursday sessions for returning skaters only
Skate fitting will be held Thursday August 28th if you are renting skates.
Second hour (older) skaters will be getting fit first from 5:30-6:30pm. First hour (younger) and newer skaters will be getting fit afterwards from 6:30pm-8pm.
If you still have skates that you rented over the summer, make sure to bring them back. Also, make sure that you wear appropriate socks.
Mark your calendars: We are planning to have a year end holiday party on Sunday December 15, 2024 for all skating families. We will be hosting fun activities for ALL skaters during our 1pm to 3pm ice time at Chedoke Arena followed by activities in the events room.
We will share more details as the date approaches.
