It would be great to see club members at speed skating events over the winter season! These events take place in sports halls and indoor skate rinks. The timetable has now been published – see below.
New skaters can enter the Novice category, which is cheaper than the main categories, but is not timed. Distances will be shorter, and it is aimed at people who want to get a feel for it without fast people whizzing past. You often do not get quite as many races.
If you want to do a full entry, you can enter Category 7, which is the slowest. Depending on your times, you might get moved to a different category the next time you race.
Adults can enter category 2A, which is for adults who are not fast enough for the main adult categories (1 and 2). Adults can also enter the Novice category, just to try an event out.
Unfortunately we are the most northern club, so all of these events will need a fair bit of travelling. The closest ones are Derby (1hr 10mins) and Hinckley, north of Leicester (1hr 50mins) but these are not until February and March. These are both on Sundays, but I will plan skating lessons around these so we are all free to go.
Registration is open for the first two events:
Wisbech Club Race
There is more information and a booking form for the Wisbech club race here: WISS INDOOR CLUB RACE 2024. I am going to this event and it would be great if other people came to, but it’s a 2hr 20min drive – so it’s an early morning or an overnight stay – not so bad if you have family or friends in that direction. Also note that the starting time is 9am which will mean arriving at least 1/2hr before.
Everyone gets 3 races, which will be laps round the skating rink. You can see the rink here, it looks to be about twice the size of Stocksbridge – but hard to tell. There is also a mixed relay, with teams of two skaters of the same age – one male, one female.
Birmingham Wheels Club Race
There is more information on the Birmingham Club Race here: BWRSC Indoor Club Race. I cannot go to this event, as skating lessons are booked on this Sunday and I could not get back in time. However, if other people want to go, I’m happy to try to move your lesson to another date. This is 2hrs 15mins away, but the event doesn’t start until 12:30, with the venue opening from 11:30, so it wouldn’t be such an early start.
As with the Wisbech race, there are 3 races for each category and a mixed relay.
And finally – our training
Next session is on 9th November – book Speed Skating here. We’ll be doing some practice of pairs relays as well as general speed and techniques training.