FAQs

What is speed skating?

Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating. (from Wikipedia)

Speed skating is always done counter-clockwise, with only left hand turns. Speed skating blades are specifically adapted for turning left, and will not easily navigate a right hand turn.

What is the difference between short track and long track speed skating?

Short track speed skating is done indoors on regular arena ice. The international competition track is 111.12 metres. Long track speed skating is done indoors or outdoors on an oval track that is usually 400 metres. Some types of long track events may be done on longer or shorter tracks.

Long track events can be either “mass start” with multiple skaters on a single track, or “Olympic style” with two skaters in separate lanes. Short track events are all mass start. In Olympic style competition, the races are “time trials”, meaning that the skater with the fastest time wins. In mass start events, there are usually heats and finals, and the skater who comes first in the final wins, even though they may not have the fastest recorded time.

Internationally, long track speed skating is referred to only as speed skating, while short track is referred to as short track speed skating.

Who can speed skate?

Anyone can speed skate. Recreational speed skaters skate for fun and fitness, but competitive opportunities are available to skaters of all ages if they are interested.

Speed skating can be a lifelong pursuit. There is an active Masters skating community in Canada and around the world.

How can I learn to speed skate?

Speed skating clubs across Canada provide training in speed skating. Speed Skating Canada has a club finder on its web site.

The local club in the Halifax Regional Municipality area is the Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club:

In addition, there will be Learn to Speed Skate sessions on the Emera Ovall this winter.

What types of skates are used for speed skating?

Competitive speed skaters generally use either a short track boot with a detachable fixed short track blade, or a long track boot with either a detachable fixed long track blade or a detachable klap blade. The boots are often fully or partially moulded from materials such as Kevlar or fibreglass. Long track boots are lower than short track boots, and provide greater ankle flexibility, while short track boots provide greater ankle support for the tighter short track turns.

Both long track and short track blades are rockered. They are also usually adapted for left hand turns by bending the blade, and setting it on the boot with an offset. The blades vary in length depending on the size of the skater. The most common lengths would be between 15 and 17 inches. The long blade creates the typical long gliding stride of the speed skater, but also necessitates the use of crossover strides for turning.

Recreational speed skaters sometime use skates with permanently attached blades. Recreational and marathon skaters also sometimes use Nordic skates, which consist of a cross country ski boot with a clip on blade. These are generally designed for use on rougher natural ice surfaces.

Where can I buy equipment? Can I rent skates?

There is a limited selection of speed skates available locally. One local supplier of recreational speed skates is Sportwheels in Sackville.

Most competitive speed skaters purchase their equipment online. A few suppliers that are used by local speed skaters:

www.redriverspeed.com
www.ztsports.com
www.devaultspeedskating.com/fr/home.asp

The Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club has a small rental inventory of skates that will be available for the Learn to Speed Skate sessions. Sizes are limited.

What kind of facility is the Emera Oval?

The Emera oval is a long track speed skating facility. When it is used for Olympic style competitions, the track will be divided into three separate lanes, an inner warm up lane that is not used for racing, and two racing lanes. While referred to as a 400 metre oval, the inner racing lane is less than 400 metres, and the outer lane is more than 400 metres. Skaters must complete one inner corner and one outer corner in each lap in order to skate the regulation 400 metres per lap. The lane change is always done on the back straightaway.

When it is used for mass start competitions, there will be a warm up lane, and one 400 metre racing lane.

What competitions took place for the Canada Games?

Three major competitions took place on the oval – one mass start marathon competition, and two Olympic Style long track competitions:

• Skate the Common Marathon on January 8-9, 2011
• Canadian Masters Championships and Halifax 2011 Canada Games Invitational Test Event on January 15-16, 2011 and
• Canada Games Long Track competition February 12-16.

Is it necessary to wear speed skates during the dedicated speed skating times on the oval?

Yes, except for skating monitors and people participating in Learn to Speed Skate sessions, the dedicated speed skating times will be for skaters on speed skates.

I have a pair of speed skates, but I’m not a member of a speed skating club. Will I be able to skate during the dedicated speed skating times on the oval?

Yes, but for insurance reasons you will need a recreational speed skating membership from Speed Skate Nova Scotia. Membership forms will be available from the coaches and skating monitors at the oval during the speed skating sessions. 

The Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club will be responsible for overseeing the dedicated speed skating times on the oval, however, all competitive or recreational speed skaters are welcome to participate in these sessions. As regular speed skating practices will be taking place during these ice times, it will be important for safety reasons for skaters to be aware of areas of the ice that are designated for different activities. Generally, faster skaters will skate on the inner track, and slower skaters on the outer track, but changes may be made depending on the number of skaters on the track, and the specific activities that are going on. Skaters who attend these sessions agree to follow the direction of the coaches or skating monitors from the Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club with respect to the areas of the track that will be used for different purposes, in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable skating experience for everyone.

Are there any other equipment requirements?

Members of the Halifax Regional Skating Club are expected to wear their helmets for speed skating practices.

Helmets are mandatory for other participants 12 years old and under, and are recommended for all skaters. Knee pads are also recommended.