Ottawa Pacers Speed Skating Club Expectations for 5:00 pm Find a spot in the changeroom & suitup! Pacer Changerooms are listed on the T.V. screen in the Sensplex Lobby. Remember your safety gear: HELMET * SHATTERRESISTANT GLASSES WITH STRAP * BIB STYLE NECK GUARD * CUTRESISTANT GLOVES * KNEE PADS * SHIN PADS * KEVLAR SOCKS AND/OR KEVLAR CUFFS * SKATES * SKATE GUARDS Skaters are on the ice from 5:15pm 6:15pm
SKATERS, A typical practice looks like this: 5:15 pm: Put the mats on the ice. Meet at the centre circle for safety check and lesson instructions. Low & slow warmup close to the boards. Skills & Drills practice followed by lap skating, putting what you have learned during the skills portion into practice. Sometimes, the use of buckets, plungers, noodles and cones are used to help you keep basic position and assist with crossovers. We save time at the end for a group game. SKATERS: Wait at the rink door until a coach is on the ice
Help put up the mats against the boards
Keep skates quiet on the line for safety check
Attempt drills at a low and slow speed
Encourage your friends
Listen to your coaches
Arrive ontime for practice
Put a name tag (sticker) on the front of your helmet
MINI-MEETS Sometimes, your coach will time your skate to give you a “seed time”. This is for setting up a minimeet. During our minimeets (fun race days), you will be grouped with friends who are very close to your speed. You will have a warmup session then groups of 46 skaters will race at a time. Minimeets are fun! www.ottawapacers.ca
FIRST HOUR PARENTS: Mats: Please assist with putting the mats on the ice. The quicker the mats are on and setup the quicker the kids can begin their practice. Go-To-Parent Duty Days: GoToParents are the first point of contact with coaches and stay rinkside to offer office assistance to skaters throughout the practice. If you cannot make your duty day, arrange to trade shifts with another parent. Each skater’s family is responsible for 23 duty shifts throughout the season (September March). Signup on registration night or online. First hour parents are expected to stay at the rink during practice. (i.e. no dropoffs) On-Ice-Helpers: We are always looking for onice helpers! This is a great way to learn firsthand what speed skating is all about. No experience necessary, any type of skates are allowed. Help the coaches with group organization, setting up the track and repeating the practice instructions to the skaters. Oval supervision: Our club has a contractual obligation to provide supervision at the outdoor long track speed skating oval at Brewer Park. Each family is responsible for one 2hour oval supervision time slot between January March. You will have the opportunity to sign up for this time at registration night. Equipment: Sharpening kits are available to signout from Rocky’s room to use at home. There is a clinic on how to sharpen skates in September and a video tutorial on the Pacer’s website. Speed Skates can not be sharpened by a machine. You should sharpen the blades every 23 weeks. Check the blades after each practice for “burrs” or knicks as these will affect your child’s ability to hold an edge. If you require assistance, please ask for help. Coaches and parents in 2nd and 3rd hour are great resources. Rocky will sharpen skates for $5.
NEW FOR 2016/2017! A-Team Workshops are classroom sessions, mandatory for all competitive skaters
(any Ottawa Pacer skater entering a Regional or Provincial competitive meet in the 20162017 season). Optional but encouraged for recreational skaters. Parents are encouraged to attend to reinforce the topics outside of the rink environment. Topics will presented by coaches and guest speakers and will include sessions on equipment care, sportsmanship, race preparation, proper dryland training techniques, nutrition etc.
The Cutting Edge Pin Program was created by Speed Skating Canada
and is used by clubs throughout the country. The focus of the program tests, in a fun environment, the skill level of our future skating stars. Successful completion of the Cutting Edge Pin Program will help provide young athletes with the necessary skills for high performance development. Skaters will be tested throughout the year and given a report card with completed skills, earning a colour level and a pin. Pins will be awarded at the Ottawa Pacers end of year Awards Ceremony & Banquet in April. www.ottawapacers.ca
First Hour-Expectations-2.pdf
... tutorial on the Pacer's website. Speed Skates can. not be sharpened by a machine. You should sharpen the blades every 23 weeks. Check the blades after.