We have had such great response to our March 14 and March 21 “Learn to Speedskate” clinics and the March 14 clinic is now completely full. In order to provide sufficient coaching and have skates for everyone to try, we must limit the number of skaters.

As a reminder, here is the basic information about the March 14 clinic (if you have sent us an email and are confirmed on the list):

The clinic will take place on Sunday, March 14 from, 9:30-11:30am at the Mountain View Ice Arena at 14313 SE Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MARCH 14 IS THE FIRST DAY OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME - SO MOVE YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH.

Cost for each clinic is $10 per person including speedskate rental (we have a lmiited inventory).
Rental skates are available from the rink (hockey and figure skates) for an additional small fee.

NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE RINK’S PARKING LOT - WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTED BY THE RINK TO PARK IN THE STRIP MALL PARKING LOT on the east side of the rink in the center rows of parking in front of the
Rib City Grill. (The parking in front of the rink is reserved for Church parking on Sundays and
they occasionally tow cars.)

Plan to wear long pants or tights, long sleeves (fleece is good) and gloves, and a helmet (bike
helmets are fine) and kneepads if you have them. We do have a few extra helmets if you need to borrow one.

The dates have been changed to March 14th and March 21st. Clinic times will be from 9:30-11:30am on March 14 and 12:30-2:30 PM on March 21st. If you’ve already sent an email to get your name on the list, please confirm which date (or both) you plan to attend.

Cost of the clinic is $10 - please arrive early to try on skates. PARKING NOTE: Mountain View Ice Arena has requested that we park in the strip mall parking lot on the east side of the rink in the center rows of parking in front of the Rib City Grill. (The parking in front of the rink is reserved for Church parking on Sundays and they occasionally tow cars.)

What an amazing 1500meter race! Congrats to Apolo & JR for their silver & bronze medals!

Here is an article in the Seattle Times that sums up what appeals to people new to Short Track Speedskating:

“Don’t we already have enough poker and MMA, bull riding, bowling and talking heads on the cable sports networks? Couldn’t we use something new? Imagine a tour stop in Key Arena. You don’t think they would sell that out? The Rose Garden? The Comcast Center? The crowd at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the Vancouver Canucks, was loud and involved on Saturday night. Are you telling me they wouldn’t support a yearly event?”

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games begin with the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 12! I can’t believe it’s already here.

To celebrate, treat yourself to this great video on how the U.S. short track speedskaters train. It will give you a huge amount of appreciation for all the hard work that they do. Check out the stair workouts - ouch!

Go Team USA!

If you’re curious about the difference between short track and long track speedskates, check out this video on Youtube - thanks to Tucker Fredricks and Travis Jayner!

Check out this article in the Saturday, January 16th Oregonian about our club!

Our upcoming practice session dates are:

February 7
February 21
March 7
March 14

Following the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, we will be holding special “Learn to Speedskate” clinics to introduce people to the exciting sport of short track speedskating.

Details are still being finalized, but we are planning on March 7 and 14 from 9:30-11:00am at Mountain View Ice Arena. The clinics, coached by former Olympic speedskaters who live in Vancouver, will provide the basics to introduce you to the sport. Cost of the clinic will be $10 per person and includes speedskate rental (we have a limited inventory available, but figure & hockey skates can be rented from the rink for a small fee).

Check back here for updates and more information as it becomes available. Feel free to email me to request more information.

It’s a win-win since it benefits both the US Olympic team AND Mountain View Speedskating! Purchase a wristband for $5.95 each - let me know if you’d like to buy one! Hoping that our members can sell enough of these to help us pay for more ice time - and it’s also a GREAT thing that the proceeds benefit the US Olympic team, and I’ve specified that those funds go DIRECTLY to US Speedskating athletes! Here is the link for more information.

Let me know how many you want to order! Go Team USA!

Thanks to the hard work of many of us at both the Bridge Pedal and Portland Marathon, we have raised enough funds to schedule some ice time at the rink. Here are the sessions we have scheduled for the remainder of 2009 - all are on Sundays, from 9:30am-10:30am.

November 15
November 22
December 6
December 20

Hope to see you all there. The rink manager has requested that we please park in the strip mall to the EAST of the rink.

Get ready!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the 2009 Providence Bridge Pedal! We put in some very hard work and long hours to raise funds for our skating sessions.

The funds have been received, and we will be scheduling those sessions soon with the rink. Start those dryland workouts now so you’ll be ready. We plan to begin skating in October. In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine!

See you soon!
Linda

Unfortunately due to lack of funds, we have no scheduled ice time this summer.

Hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather. Here is some news:

1. Please let me know if you are willing/able to volunteer at the Portland Bridge Pedal August 9. We need at least 12 volunteers - this is a major fundraising activity so we can afford ice time in the Fall. We also may be putting together a crew for the Seattle to Portland ride on July 11.

2. Here is some information from Sue Ellis on her Summer Camp:ELLIS EDGE SUMMER CAMP

Richmond, BC, August 12 - 16
Ultimate Acceleration – Ultimate Power!
Discover the newest secrets to maximum speed!

As skating technique has continued to evolve so have we! We are continually
working with new concepts and new drills to help reinforce the feeling of
powerful, easy skating. Discover some of the newest secrets to speed!

There is a limit of 25 skaters per camp so register early!

Short Track Camp
Age 10 and up 500m time under 1.10
The camp will be geared towards novice to advanced intermediate level skaters

Cost: $325 + GST

Richmond Ice Center
14140 Triangle Road
Richmond, BC V6W1B1

For more info visit:
http://www.ellismethod.net/Camps/BC/BCinfo09.html

or visit our web site at www.ellisedge.com