Red Deer Lions Speed Skating Club
Skater Development: Speed Skating Canada
Skater Development: Speed Skating Canada
The Red Deer Lions Speed Skating Club follows the Speed Skating Canada Long Term Participant and Athlete Development Model.
We are committed to the holistic development of skaters and to helping each individual participant achieve his or her own level of excellence. Science, research and decades of experience all tell us that kids and adults will get active, stay active, and even reach the greatest heights of their sport if they are exposed to the right thing, in the right way, at the right time in their development. (https://speedskating.ca/community/athletes/#tab2)
Skater Age Classes
All ages are calculated based on a skater's age as of June 30th prior to the Meet. As Speed Skating seasons normally run from September to April, this means that a skater's age is calculated based on the past June (e.g. Speed Skating Season is September 2022-April 2023, Skater's Age is calculated based on June 30, 2022. A Skater born June 29th who is 15, will skate as a 15-year-old. A Skater born July 3rd who is also 15, will actually skate as a 14-year-old.
Category | Skater's Age | Track & Race Format | Group in Club |
|---|---|---|---|
Active Start (Cradle) |
0-5 Years | 100m Track ST (Mass Start Ability) 400m Track LT (Mass Start Ability) | Group 1 |
Club Skater/Child | 6-8 | 100m Track ST (Mass Start Ability) 400m Track LT (Mass Start Ability) | Group 1 |
Child/Club Skater | 9-10 | 100m Track ST (Mass Start Ability) 400m Track LT (Mass Start Ability) | Group 1 (normally) |
Youth | 11-13 | 100m Track ST (Mass Start Ability & Age Class) 400m Track LT (Mass Start Ability, Olympic Style, and Age Class) | Group 1 / Group 2 (depending on ability and development) |
Neo Junior | C2: 14 B1: 15 | 111m Track ST (Mass Start; Age Class) 400m Track LT (Mass Start & OS Age Class) | Group 2 / Group 3 |
Junior and Neo Senior | Junior B2: 16 Junior A1: 17 Junior A2: 18 Neo Senior B1: 19 Neo Senior B2: 20 Neo Senior A1: 21 Neo Senior A2: 22 Seniors: 23+ | 111m Track ST (Mass Start; Age Class) 400m Track LT (Mass Start & OS Age Class) | Group 2 / Group 3 |
Skating Programs
In our Club, we organize skaters into Groups based on age and ability. Please register based on whether you wish to skate 1 Night/Week or 2 Nights/Week and Coaches will place skaters based on their ability last year. New Skaters will start with Group 1 and will be evaluated and placed by the Coaches. Group 3 (3 Nights/Week) will be created as needed.
Group and Location | Days and Times | Date Range (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 Short Track at the Kinex Arena |
Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5:45pm to 6:45pm | October 1st to mid-December |
Group 1 Long Track at Setters Place | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5:45pm to 6:30pm | Mid-December to mid-Febrauary |
Group 1 Short Track at the Kinex Arena | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5:45pm to 6:45pm | Mid-February to late March |
Group 2 Short Track at the Kinex Arena | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:55pm to 8:15pm | October 1st to mid-December |
Group 2 Long Track at Setters Place | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:30pm to 8:00pm | Mid-December to mid-Febrauary |
Group 2 Short Track at the Kinex Arena | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:55pm to 8:15pm | Mid-February to late March |
Group 3 Short Track at the Kinex Arena | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:55 to 8:15pm Wednesdays; 6:45pm to 8:00pm | October 1st to mid-December |
Group 3 Long Track at Setters Place | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:30 to 8:00pm Wednesdays; 6:30pm to 8:00pm | Mid-December to mid-Febrauary |
Group 3 Short Track at the Kinex Arena | Tuesdays and Thursdays; 6:55 to 8:15pm Wednesdays; 6:45pm to 8:00pm | Mid-February to late March |