SIGN UP FOR THE 2010-2011 SEASON

The schedule and registration forms for the 2010-2011 season are now available. Check out the Fees and Schedule pages.

ADVANCED EARLY SEASON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Toronto Speed Skating Club has put together a 4-week program for an advanced group of GTA and surrounding area skaters to train together in the early season. The program will run every Saturday from September 11th to October 2nd. The cost is $100, which includes 6 hours of ice time, 5 hours of dryland training, plus 3 hours of technical discussions and video review. Please click here for more information.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please note that the contact address for the Toronto Speed Skating Club has changed. Please click here for the new address.

LTSS SESSION 1 AT SCARBOROUGH GARDENS - SOLD OUT

Session 1 (October 17th to December 12th, 2010) of our popular Learn to Speed Skate program at Scarborough Gardens Arena is sold out. We are accepting registrations for Session 2 (January 9th to February 27th, 2011) at the same location.

(Note: you may sign up for only one ITSS or LTSS program.)

DRYLAND TRAINING FINISHED FOR THE SUMMER

The last dryland training session of this summer was held last Tuesday, July 27th. Many thanks to Coach Will, Coach Graham, and Tama for helping us improve our agility, endurance, flexibility, and strength.

AUGUST IS GREAT FOR BUILDING BASIC FITNESS

By Coach Will

Skaters, we have had great dryland sessions through May, June and July. August is important to build on that base, even if many of us are on holiday. Here are a few ideas to keep you motivated:

• keep a fitness journal - print off a calendar for the month of August and keep track of your activity.
• aim for activity five times a week.
• plan for a mix of activity that build stamina, strength and power.

Here is a possible week you might try - you can change the order if that works better for you:

• Monday: One of In-line, run, cycle, swim, dance
• Tuesday: Hill or stair climb, and one foot balancing exercises
• Wednesday: strength and power work: squats, v sits, push ups, crunches and dips, then power jumps
• Thursday: One of In-line, run, cycle, swim, dance
• Friday: repeat Wednesday.
• Saturday/Sunday: go for a hike with family or friends

Each day include at least fifteen minutes of stretching.

Many of us are involved in other sports, such as soccer; keep it up!

See you in September.

A VERY HAPPY CANADA DAY

What's the coolest way to celebrate Canada's 143rd birthday? How about with several Olympic medalists? Just ask Hannah K and Sarah K!

INLINE SKATING BEGINS ON MONDAY, MAY 3RD

Inline skating will begin on Monday, May 3rd at the 400-metre track at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. It is located on the south side of Lawrence Ave. W., east of Avenue Rd. (between Elm Rd. and Rosewell Ave).

The sessions will run from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Please check 647-831-6364 for cancellations. (Many thanks to the Toronto Inline Skating Club, TISC, for allowing us to use their hotline and providing certain essential supplies. For more information about inline speed skating, please visit the TISC web site.)

Programs to be used at these practices will be provided by Peter Doucet (coach of both TSSC and TISC). (Thanks, Peter!)

All are welcome (skaters, parents, friends). Helmet and wrist guards are highly recommended.

Note: These practices are not official events of the TSSC or TISC. Skate at your own risk. Also, we do not have a permit for the venue so expect to share the track with other users.

RESULTS FROM THE CANADIAN AGE CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

For the second year in a row the club sent skaters to the Canadian Age Class Championships, this year hosted by the Restigouche Comets Speed Skating Club in Campbellton, New Brunswick March 26th – 28th.

Both Toronto skaters representing Ontario did themselves and the province proud, consistently reaching semi-finals and within reach of medals. When all was said and done William P placed 8th overall Junior (best single distance placing was 5th in the 500) and Henry T placed 9th overall Intermediate (best single distance placing was 7th in the 500). William P also skated PBs in both the 500 and 777 distances.

RESULTS FROM THE MASTERS AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ten Toronto skaters attended the Masters and Regional Championships hosted by the Newmarket Club on March 20th and 21st. Three skated their 1st meet – Eric L, Conrad G and Wesley S.

Toronto skaters came home with tons of hardware – 4 medals specifically. Dave F – 1st Masters 30-35, Will W – 2nd Masters 45-50, Phoebe H – 3rd Peewee and Aidan P – 3rd Juvenile. All our athletes had a great meet with other noteable results including Conor W – 7th Open Men and Nils E – 8th Juvenile.

PBs were skated by Phoebe H (111, 222, 333 & 500), Eric L (222, 333 & 500), Conrad G (500, 777 & 1000), Aidan P (777 & 1000), Nils E (777 & 1000), Dave F (500, 777, 1000 & 1500), John W (500 & 777), Conor W (500, 1000 & 1500) and Wesley S (500, 1000 & 1500).

At this meet quite a few skaters joined the sub club including Conrad G (sub 60 sec 500), Aidan P (sub 110 sec 1000), Nils E (sub 120 sec 1000), Dave F (sub 120 sec 1000), Conor W (sub 110 sec 1000) and Wesley S (sub 55 sec 500 & sub 120 sec 1000).

This meet highlighted the progress our skaters have made throughout the season and represented our season well.

TSSC IN THE NEWS

Check out this L'Express article about the Toronto Speed Skating Club.

DONATIONS FOR THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE - THANK YOU!

A big thank you to all who took part in the 50/50 Draw at the Toronto meet back in January. With your help, we raised $160 for the relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti. That amount was matched by Coach Bruce's employer. Check out Bruce's fundraising page for more information.

RESULTS FROM THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Seven Toronto skaters qualified and skated in the Provincial Championships hosted by the Gloucester Club in Ottawa on March 13th and 14th.

Yet again we saw strong performances from Toronto skaters, often skating beyond their ranking and showing exceptional growth over the past year.

Results included: Henry T – 3rd Open Men, William P – 4th Junior Men, Alex H – 5th Midget Boys. Both William P (gold) and Sarah K (silver) also picked up medals in the relay.

PBs were skated by: Hannah K (222, 500 & 666), Annika E (333), Alex H (500 & 777), Eden S (500, 666 & 777), Sarah K (777) and William P (777).

We saw exceptional performances from two very new skaters – Hannah K made it to the Provincials in her 3rd ever meet! And Alex H came 5th in only his second major competition and 1st year of competing!

RESULTS FROM ONTARIO WINTER GAMES

The Ontario Winter Games, a meet that runs every two years for the top athletes in Ontario, was hosted by the Sudbury club on March 5th and 6th. Three Toronto skaters qualified to go and yet again we saw podium finishes from our club including: Henry T – 3rd Men's (bronze medals in the 500, 1000 and 1500), William P – 5th Men's and Sarah K – 15th Women's. William P also picked up a bronze medal in the relay!

RESULTS FROM WESTERN REGIONAL #6

Six Toronto skaters attended the 6th Western Regional meet hosted by the Barrie Club on February 27th.

Although a small group, three of our six skaters came home with hardware including: Annika E – 2nd India, Nils E – 3rd Delta, John W – 3rd Kilo. Our other athletes also had a great meet including Aidan P – 6th Bravo, Conor W – 8th Bravo and Maxwell E – 13th Foxtrot.

PBs were skated by John W (222 & 333), Maxwell E (777), Nils E (500 & 777), Aidan P (500 & 777) and Conor W (500 & 777).

CROSS-TRAINING IDEA

Midweek Cycling Club runs Toronto area weekly programming to assist youth and adults to enter competitive cycling. This year is their twelfth year of running developmental cycling programming. Programs include 9 years of age in the kid's and youth program, 11+ in the youth and adult learn-to-race and the club rides and 14+ in the weekly race program. About half the participants of the youth and adult learn-to-race are females and half of them are multi-sporters. Student-to-instructor ratio is about 6:1. Any and all are welcome. Club is OCA affiliated. Note program fees heavily favour club membership and even more so for youth under 23 (anyone can join); all weekly programming is free with club membership. For more information, please visit their web site.

RESULTS FROM ONTARIO CUP #4

A Toronto record nine skaters competed in the 4th Ontario Cup hosted by the Kitchener Waterloo Club on February 13th and 14th.

Toronto athletes had an outstanding meet and had many at the meet talking about huge improvements from multiple skaters (it is the water, we promise!)

Highlights of the meet included: Stephanie B – 3rd Open A Women, Henry T – 6th Open A Men, William P – 7th Open A Men, Alexander H – 6th Midget Boys, Sarah K – 8th Open A Women and Annika E – 9th Midget Girls.

PBs were skated by: Annika E (500, 666 & 777), Alexander H (333, 500, 666 & 777), William P (500, 1000 & 1500), Eden S (666), Hannah K (333, 500 & 666), Sarah K (500, 1000 & 1500) and Aidan P (500, 666 & 1000).

Three skaters went to their first ever OCup – Hannah K, Aidan P and Alexander H (Alexander came 6th Midget and had many asking who this kid was!).

Alexander H joins our sub-55-second 500 club, Sarah K joins the sub-1:50 1000 club and Annika E cut three seconds off her 500 time, knocking on the door of the sub-55 club!

Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM THE MILTON LADDER MEET

Five Toronto skaters attended the Milton ladder meet on February 7th. Skaters had the opportunity to skate six races plus a relay at the meet so were tired by the end of the day!

PBs were skated by Erich E (111, 222, 333 & 500), Maxwell E (500, 666 & 777), Benn M (500) and Peter D (500, 777 & 1000).

Peter D joins our sub-55-second 500 club and Maxwell E is very close to breaking the 60-second 500 barrier!

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RESULTS FROM WESTERN REGIONAL #5

Nineteen Toronto skaters attended the 5th Western Regional meet hosted by your own Toronto club on January 30th.

Highlights of the meet included Cameron B – 1st Charlie, Dave F – 2nd Charlie, William P – 2nd Alpha, Annika E – 3rd Juliet, Eden S – 5th Echo, Hannah K – 5th Lima, Erich E – 6th November, Aidan P – 7th Delta, Tabatha W – 7th Oscar and Phoebe H – 7th November. Yet again there were three skaters competing in their first ever meet – Hannah K, Samantha K and Tabatha W!

Many of our skaters achieved PBs including: Erich E (111 & 222), Maxwell E (333 & 500), Annika E (333), Nils E (500), Dave F (500 & 777), Phoebe H (111), Hannah K (222 & 333), Samantha K (222 & 333), Aidan P (500), Eden S (777), Conor W (1000), Tabatha W (111 & 222) and John W (333 & 500).

Dave F broke 55 seconds for the 500!

RESULTS FROM WESTERN REGIONAL #4

Ten Toronto skaters attended the 4th Western Regional meet hosted by the Oakville club on January 17th.

Highlights of the meet included Alexander H – 4th India, Kate K – 4th Foxtrot, Aidan P – 5th Delta, Ian W – 5th Lima and Erich E – 6th November. Three skaters attended their 1st ever meet – Phoebe H, Ian W & Sarah W!

All skaters completed at least one personal best time as follows: Aidan P (777), Erich E (222 & 333), Maxwell E (333 & 500), Phoebe H (222 & 333), Alexander H (333 & 500), John W (333), Kate K (500 & 777), Sarah K (500), Ian W (222, 333 & 500) and Sarah W (222, 333 & 500)

Kate K broke a minute for the 500 and Sarah K broke 55 seconds!

SPEED SKATING DEMO AT MASTERCARD CENTRE

The Toronto Speed Skating Club held a speed skating demo on Family Day at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence. Thank you to all the skaters who participated (including our friends from Brampton, Clarington, and Durham) in the event and all the volunteers who helped out.

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FEROCIOUS BUT SWEET?

Find out who that is in this Toronto Star article!

OLYMPIC CELEBRATION AT NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE

Throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, five cities across Canada will be hosting a spectacular festival-style event with FREE food and entertainment. Watch CTV's Olympic Games coverage LIVE on a big screen and cheer on Team Canada with thousands of other proud Canadians in your community! Click here to find out more about the party right here in Toronto.

ON THE EDGE

With the games coming soon, the world is about to see the results of years of atheletic training. Some say there's a price to pay for trying to fly higher than everyone else. This documentary from CBC Radio's The Current features a brief interview with a TSSC skater.

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY

The Toronto Speed Skating Club took part in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay event at the Scarborough Civic Centre on December 17th, 2009. Despite the cold weather, the event was a great success thanks to all the skaters who participated in the on-ice demonstration and the volunteers who helped to ensure the smooth execution of the program. Click here to see pictures from that day (provided by Desmond Preudhomme and Trish and Mark Elendt).

SHARPENING TIPS AND TRICKS

Check out this recent article by Susan Ellis on skate sharpening. It contains plenty of excellent tips and valuable information.

RESULTS FROM ONTARIO CUP #3

Six Toronto skaters attended the 3rd Ontario Cup of the season hosted by the Clarington Speed Skating Club.

Toronto skaters had a really good meet as they demonstrated huge improvements in both skating techniques and strategies. Highlights of the meet included Jesse LW (in from Montreal and guest skating for Toronto!) placing 5th in Men’s Open A, and Henry T placing 6th in Men’s Open A.

PBs were skated by Eden S in every distance she skated (500, 666, 777, 1000), Annika E (333, 666, 777), Sarah K (500, 1500) and William P (1000, 1500). Eden also joined our sub-2-minute-club for 1000 m!

Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM THE MARKHAM OLYMPIC CELEBRATION MEET

Five Toronto skaters competed at the Markham Olympic Celebration meet on December 5th.

Great results from our skaters yet again including a gold and silver medal haul. Results included Alex H – 1st in Golf, Sarah K – 2nd in Bravo, Maxwell E – 5th in Echo and Alex S – 5th in Golf (in his 1st ever meet!)

Every skater skated multiple PBs – Sarah K (777 & 1000), Jordan O (777 & 1000), Maxwell E (500, 777 & 1000), Alex H (222, 333 & 500) and Alex S (222 & 333).

RESULTS FROM WESTERN REGIONAL #3

Nine Toronto skaters competed at the 3rd Western Regional meet hosted by the Brampton Club on November 28th.

Fantastic results at this meet with a medal haul of four including Yunus D – 1st in Echo, Conor W – 2nd in Bravo, Benn M – 3rd in Kilo and Dave F – 3rd in Charlie (in Dave’s 1st ever meet!). Other placed skaters included Kate K – 4th in Foxtrot, John W – 5th in Kilo and Rachel LW – 5th in Echo.

PBs were skated by Benn M (222, 333 & 500), John W (222, 333 & 500), Dave F (500, 777 & 1000), Kate K (500, 777 & 1000), Yunus D (500, 777 & 1000), Nils E (500 & 777), Conor W (500, 777 & 1000) and Aidan P (777 & 1000).

Conor W joined our sub-55-second 500 club!

RESULTS FROM THE KINGSTON LADDER MEET

Eight Toronto skaters competed at the Kingston ladder meet on November 14th. At this meet there are no medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd but instead skaters move up and down a “ladder” based on their performance the prior race. Skaters continually skate only one distance. Toronto skaters had a very strong meet with PBs posted by: John W (333), Aidan P (500), Alex H (500), Annika E (500), Jordan O (500), Nils E (500) and Sarah K (500).

Three Toronto skaters – Annika E, Alex H and Jordan O joined our sub-club by breaking a minute in the 500 at this meet!

Sarah K was recognized at the meet and awarded a special “spirit” award for her approach and attitude despite falling in her first 3 of 4 races. Sarah skated a PB 500 in her last race!

RESULTS FROM ONTARIO CUP #2

Four Toronto skaters attended the 2nd Ontario Cup of the season hosted by the Cambridge Speed Skating Club. All our skaters had a strong meet with multiple personal bests, even though the ice was very slow! One of our highlights was Henry T placing 5th in Open A Men’s. PBs were skated by Annika E (500, 666 & 777), Eden S (1000) and William P (500 & 1000). William P also joined the sub-100-second club for the 1000! Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM WESTERN REGIONAL #2

Four Toronto skaters competed in the 2nd Western Regional meet hosted by the Clarington Club. PBs were skated by Aidan P (500, 777), Nils E (500, 777) and William P (500, 1000). Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM ONTARIO CUP #1

Six Toronto skaters attended the 1st Ontario Cup of the season hosted by the Gloucester Club in Ottawa. William P placed 1st in Junior Men’s, Steph B placed 2nd in Open A Women’s and Henry T placed 5th in Open A Men’s. Skaters who had PBs included: Eden S (500 & 1000) and William P (500). Annika E missed racing the 1st day due to a fall in her 1st race where she slightly injured herself. Annika was able to skate on the 2nd day and raced with tons of heart. Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM THE 1ST WESTERN REGIONAL MEET

Four Toronto skaters competed in the 1st Western Regional meet hosted by the London club and held in Strathroy. Highlights included Aidan P placing 3rd in the Echo grouping and Annika E finishing 6th in Hotel. Both Aidan and Annika skated PBs in every distance that they skated (Aidan – 500, 666, 777, 1000, Annika – 222, 333, 500, 777). William P came close to PBs in multiple distances – setting himself up for success through the season. Nils E skated well but had an unfortunate fall on the 2nd day where he sprained his ankle. Click here for the complete results.

RESULTS FROM THE 1ST EASTERN REGIONAL MEET

Toronto was represented by one skater at the 1st Eastern Regional meet in Belleville. Sarah K skated aggressively and posted a PB in the 500 m distance, setting herself up to go even faster through the season. Click here for the complete results.

SPEED SKATING TAKES OFF AT NEW HOCKEY CENTRE

Check out this excellent InsideToronto.com article.

SKATE GUARDS

Just a friendly reminder that when you have your speed skates on and you are not on the ice, please remember to put on your skate guards to prevent damages to the blades. If you do not have a pair of skate guards, please see Desmond.

After you have taken off your skates, dry them with a towel or rag. Then cover the blades with a pair of soft cloth skate covers or old hockey socks.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING AT THE CNE!

A message from Prez Desmond:

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who participated in the speed skating exhibit at the CNE. We undertook a mammoth task of running an 18-day event that was appealing and interactive to the general public, yet profiled our sport as accessible and fun. With your help I think we overachieved our objectives.

As a group we engaged thousands of people, whether it was on the slideboards, the Techni-Cords or through the "show and tell" of equipment. We were also able to engage the public in skating demonstrations (albeit using in-line skates on a very slippery, uneven surface) and we got quite a few brave souls to join us in dryland training sessions!

I personally took many, many nuggets away from this experience, and thought I would highlight some for you:

• Speed skating is an awesome community – we had 9 clubs participate and share the experience
• Interacting with the public is fun – I saw many "shy" individuals thrive when given the opportunity and the responsibility
• We do not always need ice to demo the sport – a slideboard or two, some Techni-Cords and a table with speed skating equipment will allow you to engage the public in common areas like malls, schools or community centres
• The general public is unaware that speed skating exists in our communities, yet they love watching the sport (mainly on TV). We have an opportunity and a responsibility to make the public more aware!
• We have an awesome community (oh yes, I already said that!)

But all of this would not be possible without you!

Our sport is destined for a fantastic year as it is an Olympic year and I really appreciate your help in getting it started!

For those high school students who earned community hours, please either send me an e-mail (Desmond_Preudhomme@dell.com) or catch me at the arena and I will sign off.

Thanks again!

CITY OF TORONTO OFFERS SPEED SKATING CLASSES

The Toronto Speed Skating Club has teamed up with the City of Toronto to offer introductory speed skating classes in Fall 2009 and Winter 2010. Please refer to the Toronto Fun Guide for more information.

CYCLONES T-SHIRTS FOR SALE

The cost is $10 each. Various sizes are available. Please see Desmond if you wish to purchase one.

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CYCLONES JACKETS FOR SALE

These stylish jackets are perfect for speed skating practices. They can also be used for cycling and running. The cost is $65 each. Different sizes are available. Please see Desmond if you wish to purchase one.

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