SKATES
We can teach a child to skate on any type of skate, hockey, figure or speed skates. As the child becomes proficient and wants to race, there are distinct advantages to speed skates. It is easier to balance on speed skates because of the longer blade and more gradual rocker, which give skaters a longer glide from each push.
SKATE RENTALS
Our Director of Resources, has speed skates to rent. Talk to our Director at the rink or email him for more information.
CLOTHING
Younger skaters usually wear snow suits or splash suits to keep them warm and dry when they fall.
HELMETS
Skaters must wear a helmet on the ice. The fastener must be closed. Hockey or speed skating helmets are suitable. For first time skaters, hockey helmets with a face guard may be more suitable.
GLOVES
Waterproof gloves or mittens are required to keep hands warm and to prevent skate cuts. Knit gloves or mittens are not permitted due to safety regulations.
GUARDS
All skaters should wear knee-pads. Neck guards of kevlar or equivalent material are also required. These should cover the collarbone. Competitive skaters must wear the above plus shin guards. SKATE GUARDS SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN WHEN OFF THE ICE. This is for the protection of other skaters as well as blades.
SKATE SHARPENING
In order to skate well at any level, sharp skates are a necessity. Speed skaters should get their own sharpening jig and sharpening stone to maintain their blades. Skate Sharpening is usually available from some of the members in Group I Competitive for a nominal fee. If you are new at sharpening skates, talk to one of the coaches. They will be happy to show you. Also, the club offers a skate sharpening clinic during the season. Watch your newsletters for the date and time.
Protective Equipment Guidelines
The following equipment is required (MANDATORY) for short track speed skating.
See Speed Skate Canada “Redbook” section D3-100 for more details:
Helmet , Gloves or mitts (cut and water resistant), Shin guards(hard, cut resistant), Knee pads, long sleeved clothing (no bare skin at wrists or ankles), Neck protection, Eye protection (shatter resistant clear or yellow glasses with strap). Skaters in SSC championships must wear cut resistant clothing. Also note that D3-100 states skate blade tips should be rounded to a 1 cm radius.
The sport of speed skating has risks associated with it, including cuts from skate blades. Cut resistant clothing may help reduce the severity of these injuries. Therefore,in addition to the SSC minimum standards for protective equipment, SJASSC STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the use of cut resistant ankle guards and protective undersuits. Ankle guards made of kevlar or Dyneema fabric are worn over the skaters boot and ankle. (These may also be used to protect the wrist if undersuit coverage doesn’t meet up with glove coverage) SJASSC also STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the use of protective undersuits made of cut resistant material. It should be understood that there are now different levels of cut resistance in Dyneema and that all Dyneena has superior properties of cut resistance, fit and comfort over Kevlar. Also note that suits made entirely of protective material (full-coverage) are preferable to those made with cut-resistant fabric panels that offer partial coverage.
SJASSC Undersuit Recommendations:
Skaters with times less than 60 seconds in a 500m race on the 111 m track, or less than 50 seconds in a 400m race on the 100 m track, should wear full coverage undersuits of Dyneema or similar high cut resistant material.
All skaters in group 2 and 3 who have not yet reached these speeds should also wear cut resistant undersuits, preferably of Dyneema, with partial protection being the minimum standard, and full coverage optimal