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