Fast times on the arena oval
Niagara Speed Skating Club producing aspirations
It’s about a love of the speed, precision and technique as members of the Niagara Speed Skating Club make the turns on the oval at Burgoyne Arena.
Skaters such as nine-year-old Ella Paquin make it look effortless. They turn skate over skate, gaining speed on the rink.
“We were at a public skate, and she was skating around like a speed skater in her hockey skates, so we thought we’d try it out,” says her mom, Yolanda.
Dreams of perhaps being the next Catriona Le May Doan may be a ways off yet, but it’s clear Ella is in it to win it.
She was at a regional meet two weekends ago. She won all her heats and her finals to earn a gold medal.
“She’s very competitive that way,” says her mom. “She wants to continue on, it’s hard because her hockey competes with her speed skating every other week. But she loves the speed.
“My dad used to speed skate. My parents don’t come to watch the hockey games, but they come and see all her speed skating.”
The Niagara club boasts a national level long track speed skater — Max Brant, who is training at the Calgary Olympic oval for long track, preparing for time trials for the Canada Winter Games.
But the club is not only for ak ters with Olympic dreams. Some adults
are out just for the recreational aspect.
Holly Patterson joined the club about five years ago. In her mid-40s, she says she finds it an outlet from a busy week.
“You can go super-fast, it’s very technical, and I like that because I feel that the rest of the day fades away, I can only concentrate on skating, and I really like that part,” says Patterson.
“And it’s way more of a workout than recreational skate. I’m always sweating by the end.”
Patterson shows off the skates which are significantly different from hockey skates, with a low boot and long blades.
“The skates are super low, so you’ve got lots of ankle movement, and the blades are long and flat, very sharp and very narrow,” she explains.
“They’re sharpened, so you only have the edges, so in the centre of the blade it doesn’t grip the ice at all.”
She recommends that anyone who wants to try it have some skating ability before transitioning to speed skates.
“It’s very different the way you have to balance yourself, and with the long blades it’s a lot more difficult,” says Patterson.
The club, which has about 25 skaters from across the region, rents skates so kids can get a pair that fit them. It has a special trial membership for skaters who want to feel the speed.
“It’s so much fun, it’s like the best thing ever,” says Patterson. “I discovered it four or five years ago. My son likes to skate fast — we discovered this club, and it’s been amazing.”
Taking a break from zipping around the rink, 11-year-old Levi Patterson shyly admits there is a thought of winter competition.
“I think it would be really fun to be in the Olympics, but I have a long way to go,” he says.
“My technique has gotten a lot better, but maybe three (Olympics) from now.”