JANUARY 20TH, 2008 - OPEN HOUSE

Have you been wanting to try the long blades? The Toronto Speed Skating Club is hosting an Open House on Sunday, January 20th, 2008, at Scarborough Gardens Arena (Birchmount and Kingston Road). All are welcome, but we are particularly interested in hockey players who are looking for cross-training, or are thinking they want to try a new winter sport; and youth whose families remember speed skating in their country of origin (for example, Korea, China, Japan, Holland, Russia), and would like to give speed skating a try. We provide the skates. Space is limited, so call early. Contact Tama Soble for details at 416 696-7711. This event is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

FEBRUARY, 2008 - INTRODUCTION TO SPEED SKATING

We are hosting a four week program on Sunday evenings in February to introduce people to speed skating. We provide the skates. Space is limited, so call early. Contact Tama Soble for details at 416 696-7711.

TORONTO SPEED SKATING CLUB'S FIRST MEET A SUCCESS!

We did it! We hosted our first regional meet successfully on Saturday, November 17th at Malvern Arena.

Over two hundred skaters from Cradle to Masters from southwestern and central Ontario joined us to celebrate this club first.

Congratulations to all our skaters, many of whom were racing for the first time. Personal bests were set everywhere you turned. Congratulations to our highest finisher, Julian, who finished fourth in his group, and to Rachel for reaching her qualifying times for O Cups. Congratulations go out too to Colin, Aleksander, Eden, William, Shaka, George and Beau for representing our club so well. A special congratulations go out to Bayli, our Learn to Speed Skate sensation, who competed after just a few weeks on the long blades.

This meet could not have happened without the help of many club volunteers who stepped up big time to make the day a success. Thanks to all who gave of their time, energy and smarts on the ice, around the boards, in the office or in the kitchen.

In the new year we look forward to having many more skaters trying out racing for their first time.

Great effort everyone.

Check out the results!

Toronto Speed Skating Club hosts the Second Western Regional Ability Meet

We are hosting our first regional meet for developing skaters on Saturday, November 17th, at Malvern Arena (30 Sewells Rd - Neilson, north of the 401) in Northeast Scarborough. Stay tuned for our registration information. Toronto skaters are strongly encouraged to participate!

The meet will feature racing for Masters and Youth. Skaters will complete their races in a compressed format so that no one has to spend a whole day at the rink. The plan is that everyone will get four races at at least two distances and a relay. The focus will be on providing opportunities for skaters who have not qualified for O-Cups.

In addition, we will be hosting an Officials Clinic. Participants will be certified in one day.

Further, we will be running a workshop about understanding and maintaining skates with Paul Shoebridge, an ideal opportunity for interested parents and equipment managers, new and experienced, to learn from one of the best.

For further information, and an application, please click this link.

TORONTO SPEED SKATING CLUB’s 2007-2008 SEASON BEGINS EARLY OCTOBER

The TORONTO SPEED SKATING CLUB’s 2007-2008 season has started. The Club is a non-profit volunteer organization with excellent speed skating coaches and a fantastic program. New members are really, really, welcome. This is a fun, exciting sport and a great way to get in, or stay in, shape, meet great people and have fun.

We offer a Learn to Speed Skate Program if you are new to the sport. We provide coaching, drills, games and personal instruction. If you like speed skating after this Program ends you can join the Club for the rest of the season at a reduced rate.

ICE TIMES: Thursdays and Sunday

Sunday Ice begins on Sunday, October 14, 2007.

6:00 pm - 7:00pm fast skaters (i.e., newer and beginning skaters) and the learn to speed skater which begins Sunday, October 28)

7:00pm - 8:00pm (faster - intermediate skaters)

8:00pm - 9:00pm (fastest - advanced skaters)

Thursday Ice begins on October 11, 2006. Intermediate and advanced skaters are strongly encouraged to skate on Thursday evenings as well. Please note the following hourly breakdown for ice time on Thursdays:

5:00pm - 6:00pm (faster skaters)

6:00pm - 7:00pm (fastest skaters)

We also have Outdoor Ice in January and February on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, weather permitting, at the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre in the Yonge/Eglinton area (precise dates and times to follow).

LEARN TO SPEED SKATE PROGRAM - BEGINS SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2007 AND RUNS TO DECEMBER 16, 2007.

The program consists of 7 weeks of lessons and one week in which you can participate in a friendly Speed Skating Ontario sanctioned meet (November 17, 2006).

There will also be a second Learn to Speed Skate program in February, 2008.

For more information on the Learn to Speed Skate Program, fees, how to register, and a copy of the application form, please click here.

LOCATION: Scarborough Gardens Arena

This is our second year in our new rink at Scarborough Gardens, 75 Birchmount Road, Kingston Road and Birchmount Road, which is easily accessible by car or by TTC. The rink is located just south of the Danforth, and just north of Kingston Road, on the east side of Birchmount. TTC access is from the Victoria Park (Bus 12 Kingston Road West) or Warden Stations (Bus 69 Warden South).

FEES

Single Night Members (Sunday or Thursday)

• Youth (under 18) — $400
• Adult — $475
• Competitive Skaters (If you intend to compete in 3 or more meets) — Add $100

Competitive Skaters are normally permitted to skate for more than one hour, at the discretion of the head coach.

Two or Three skaters in a family - please contact the Registrar, Tama Soble, at 416 696-7711, as we have discount rates for families.

Two Night Members

Just add another $200 to the Single Night Membership

Out Door Ice:

Free for all members

Learn to Speed Skate Program (Oct. to Dec. 2007)

Youth $205, Adult $245.

2nd Learn to Speed Skate Program (Feb. 4, 11, 17 and 25, 2008)

Youth $150, Adults $185

Skate Rental

Free for Learn to Speed Skate Program. $75 for members for the year. In both cases a $200 post-dated cheque is required as a damage deposit. The cheque will be returned when the skates are returned at the end.

MEMBERSHIP and WAIVER FORM

Please find attached the membership Form and Volunteer/Waiver Form. You are welcome to download it, fill it out, and forward a cheque if you would like to register in advance. The form and cheque should be mailed to Tama Soble, Registrar, Toronto Speed Skating Club, 606 Milverton Blvd., Toronto, ON M4C 1X7. You should arrive at least 45 minutes in advance on the first day in order to be fitted for skates.

volunteer form and waiver form.doc

membership Form 2007.doc

Equipment

All skaters should have a helmet, a neck guard (hockey neck guards sell for about $12 at Canadian Tire) and soccer style shin pads. You also need thick leather cut proof gloves (you can wear very sturdy leather garbage man gloves). Volleyball style knee pads are also recommended.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information about the Club, if you would like answers to any questions of queries not covered here, of if you need some help or would like to inquire about the club, please call or email our Club Registrar, Tama Soble our Registrar at 416 696-7711 or tamasoble@gmail.com or you can contact the Club President, William Wallace at 416 466-6551 or londwall@sympatico.ca