Practice times over the holidays

UPDATE: Some notes have been added:

McArthur Arena

• Sunday Dec 21 (yes) Mark Pederson will be there with Anneke and Matej, but not until about 6:30. He will bring information regarding what is happening with the LOop.
• Sunday, Dec 28 (maybe) Kristine Pederson may be there. We will update the blog when we know for sure. This would be a skate time with no formal coaching.
• Sunday, Jan 4 (yes)
• Friday, Dec 26 (cancelled)
• Friday, Jan 2 (cancelled)

Ice Box

• Monday, Dec 22 (yes) We have the ice time, but Mark is unable to attend.
  
• Monday, Dec 29 (cancelled)

Important: Safety requirements have to be met - mats, first aid kit, skater equipment, and there must be an adult on the ice.

Owen Spence

All members of the RCR speed skating club are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Owen Spence.

We'll always remember Owen's tireless work to support the speed skating club. He was always there, always supporting us, always enthusiastic. But most of all we'll remember his warm smile, his love and devotion to his family, and his generosity.

How could one individual be so successful in work, spend so much time with family, and also find energy for the speed skating club? -- fundraising, organizing and travelling to practices and competitions, coaching, maintaining the Logan Lake oval...the list goes on. But Owen did it all, and all so well. We all loved Owen.

Club members are thinking of the Spence family -- Cathy, Tori, Josie, Sarah, and Eric -- and how we can help. For now we can offer time but want to do so much more.

There will be a funeral service on Thursday, December 11 at 11:00 am at the Kamloops Alliance Church, 233 Fortune Drive.

Sunday's Ice Time

Several skaters are attending the BC cup this weekend so the McArthur Arena practice on Sunday, November 16 will be open to all levels of skaters for the full 2 hours (6 - 8:00 pm). There will a 90 minute practice followed by a 'free' skate for the last 30 minutes.

Masters Ice Racing Challenge

The Banff/Canmore speed skating club is keen to attract skaters to The Masters Ice Racing Challenge to be held in Canmore, Alberta December 12 - 14, 2008. This event will be held in conjunction with the Canmore Ice Racing Challenge (CIRC). The schedule, registration form, announcement and summary sheet are available on the club website. Here are the details sent out by Ian Mellors, President of the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club:

The Masters skaters will race Friday December 12th, the 1000m Semi’s and Finals. The Masters will then complete their final three distances on Saturday December 13th, running in conjunction with the ability meet. There is a banquet Saturday night for the Masters, plus any officials or volunteers who would like to attend. On Sunday December 14th, there is a half day skating clinic for Masters’ skaters, the clinic will include two on ice sessions, plus a classroom session.

The Canmore Ice Racing Challenge will take place on Saturday December 13th. This will be run as a regular one day meet, skaters will compete over 3 distances. Because skaters will not have the opportunity to skate all four of their age class distances, we are happy to be able to offer 666m and 777m exhibition races Friday evening, see schedule for details. These races are available to Midget and older skaters, who would like to earn times in all four of their distances. The exhibition races do not count towards points for Saturday’s ability meet.

If you have any questions please call me at 403-609-7031, or by email at president@banffcanmorespeedskating.ca.

Please put the invitation out to everyone in your club, the more the
merrier.

Polar-thon Brochure and Registration

The 2009 Polar-thon brochure is now available to view online or download. You can register online or download and print the brochure (PDF) to mail, fax, or hand deliver.

2009 Polar-thon

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: speedskating)

November Chill

Sunday, November 9th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm is the November Chill short track competition at McArthur Arena. It is very important that your skates are sharp and that all the buckles and bolts are checked to make sure none are loose.

Please make sure Mark or Owen receives your skates before Saturday so they can sharpen and check them for you and get them back to you for Sunday races.

Mini Meet Results for November 2

The results are in for our first Mini Meet of the season. Check out all the personal bests! (highlighted in yellow)

Special thanks to Connie and her Dad, Peter for driving all the way from Vernon to join us at the meet.

2009 Polarthon

Registration opens soon for the 2009 Polarthon!

This annual family event will be held January 11th and is organized in conjunction with with the Logan Lake Polar Carnival, a 36 year old tradition at Logan Lake. The Polarthon is a winter triathlon, combining

• 3 km ice skate (any style)
• 5 km run (in 2.5 k intervals) , and
  
• 4 km ski (freestyle or classic)

Come enjoy the great outdoors and get some exercise! Prizes are given for various age and team categories. The new prizes this year are Best Costume and Best Team Costume.

Registration forms will be available soon! Mark your calendar now and make a note to register by January 2th for early bird registration fees: $25 for individuals and $40 for teams. Team registrations must be completed by noon on January 9th.

Race day registration & bib pickup is from 8:00am - 8:30am and the awards & draw prizes from Runners Sole will be held at 11:00am at the Logan Lake Recreation Centre.

Kelowna Speed Skating Club Mini Meet

Kelowna Speed Skating Club, one of our regional partner clubs, is hosting a mini meet Wednesday evening (Oct. 22) beginning at 5:30 pm. There is no charge for this event – just gas mileage and the time to get there.

If you are interested in attending please let Cathy know by Tuesday at 8:00 pm. This mini meet will be similar to the mini meets we will run on the occasional Sunday practice. Our club will also be inviting other regional partner clubs to join us in our mini meets.

Learn to Skate Program

The River City Racers club is offering a learn to skate program through the City of Kamloops this year. It is an 8 week session that begins this Thursday October 23 at the Interior Savings Centre arena. Another 8 week session will be offered in January/February 2009.

Our first session on Thursday (4:30 – 5:30 ) is full (30 skaters). There is still space in our second session (5:30 – 6:30). Registration # for this course is 115333. All skaters are invited to participate in our first club mini meet.

Here is the description from the Activity Guide:

A learn to skate program for the beginner skater. Focus will be on fundamental movement skills on skates, i.e. balance, skating stride (push and glide), stopping, starting, corner cross overs, and agility. Skills taught through games. For more information, please see www.speedskatingkamloops.ca or call Cathy at 250-374-5430. Cathy is the head coach for the River City Racers Speed Skating Club, a former world speed skating champion and world record holder, and a four-year member of the National Team.

Bring a Friend Nite

Our first Bring a Friend Nite will be held on November 3rd from 3:45 –4:45 during the first part of our Ice Box Arena practice. RCR members can bring friends and family members that might be interested in trying out the sport of speed skating. If you let Cathy know ahead of time who you will bring, we can have speed skates ready for them to try. Skating skills and games will be organized for this evening and everyone is encouraged to bring a 'munchie' to share. There is no cost.

The second Bring a Friend Nite is scheduled for December 15 from 3:45 – 4:45 and a third will be organized for February.

Photo by Elizabeth Ann Colette

Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone will skate together on the Sunday and Monday practices this weekend.

Sunday practice will be 6 – 7:00/7:15pm for all, followed by a 30 minute friendly game of soccer or tennis ball hockey. If you have hockey skates and a stick please bring them to Sunday's practice.

Monday practice will begin at 3:45 for everyone.

Photo by Kevin Cole

Mini Meets

Our first two Mini Meets have been scheduled during our McArthur Arena ice times:

• Sunday November 2nd from 6 – 8:00 pm
  
• Sunday December 14th from 6 – 8:00 pm

Mini Meets give skaters an opportunity to race in a less intimidating environment than they might experience at a competition. These events are also a good way to introduce parents to the roles that need to be filled when running a competition. All skaters and parents are encouraged to attend the mini meets.

A third mini meet will be held in February.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Ice Time October 5th

Our original practice schedule showed we did not have ice time this Sunday (Oct 5th) but there has been a change. If you're available please come out to skate!
6 – 7:00 pm – Younger group (skate fun and younger skate skills)
6:45 – 8:00 pm – Older group (older skate skills and skate fast groups).

Silent Bottle Drive

Attention all club members! The funds raised from this summer's Silent Bottle Drive will be tallied up over the next week. Please bring cash or a cheque made out to River City Racers to your first practice.

2008 - 2009 Season Ice Times

Here are the ice times for the 2008 - 2009 season!

Skaters in the club programs are grouped according to skill level and sometimes share the ice times. The beginners in the Skate Fun program have shorter sessions (45 - 60 minutes). Then skaters in the Skate Skills and Skate Fast programs remain on the ice. Here is the breakdown according to program:

• Skate Fun/Skate Skills - Monday 3:45 - 4:30pm and Sunday 6:00 - 7:00pm
• Skate Skills/Skate Fast - Monday 4:30 - 5:15pm, Friday 6:00- 7:30am, and Sunday 6:45 - 8:00pm
  

Skate Fun, Skate Skills, and Skate Fast programs
For these ice times register through River City Racers club (speedskatingkamloops@shaw.ca or 250-374-5430):

• Skate Fun/Skate Skills/Skate Fast: Mondays - 3:45 - 5:15 pm, Ice Box Arena Sept 29 - March ?
• Skate Skills/Skate Fast: Fridays - 6:00 - 7:30 am McArthur Island Sports Centre Sept 26 - March 27
• Skate Fun/Skate Skills/Skate Fast: Sundays - 6:00 - 8:00 pm McArthur Island Sept 28 - March 29 (no ice time on Oct 5, 19 and March 8) Update! We now have ice time Oct 5th.
  
• Saturdays - aprox 10:30 - 12:30 Logan Lake - begins when ice ready
  

Skate Fun ("learn to" program)
For these ice times register through the City of Kamloops:

• Thursdays - 4:30 - 5:30 pm and 5:30 - 6:30 pm Interior Savings Centre
  two sessions offered Oct 23 - Dec 11 and Jan 8 – Feb 26
  

2008-09 Registration and Club Meeting

Skate Fitting and Registration will be held next Thursday – September 18th – from 6 – 7:00 p.m. at McArthur Island Arena.

Following the skate fitting there will be a club meeting at the same location.

There will also be opportunity to register during the first week of practice – which begins on September 26th (morning practice) and September 28th (evening practice) – both at McArthur.