The Saint John Amateur Speed Skating Club (SJASSC) is a community-focused organization dedicated to promoting the sport of speed skating in New Brunswick. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with the region’s rich skating heritage, with Saint John being home to one of Canada’s first documented skating clubs, which was founded at Lily Lake back in 1833.
The SJASSC continues this legacy by providing a supportive environment for skaters of all ages and abilities, from beginners in the “Learn to Skate” program to advanced athletes competing at the national level. The club plays a key role in the provincial speed skating community, hosting annual events like the Charles Gorman Meet, which brings skaters from across the region to compete in a fun and competitive atmosphere.
The Charles Gorman Meet honors one of Saint John’s most celebrated athletes, Charles “The Human Dynamo” Gorman. Gorman was a speed skating legend who dominated the North American circuit in the 1920s. A true icon, he won the World Outdoor Speed Skating Championship in 1926, a remarkable achievement that saw him defeat five-time Olympic champion Clas Thunberg. This incredible victory, which took place in Saint John, on Lily Lake, will mark its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Charles Gorman
