Dryland training is a way to maintain skating abilities and to stay fit off the ice during the summer months when icetime is not available. Champions develop their core athletic abilities in strength and fitness training programs in addition to engaging in their sport, and speed skaters are no exception. It may seem like a long time to the start of the next skating season, but the first races occur soon after icetime begins, and almost half of the race meets take place in the fall and early winter, so you have to be prepared if you are going to be competitive! Note that the requirement to qualify for the advanced group of the OSSA summer speed skating camp is "participating in dryland training at a minimum of 6 sessions per week." Pre-teenaged skaters need not train at that intensity, but regular physical activity is absolutely necessary if one is to be good on the ice. Our dryland training is a combination of activities which develop skating motions muscle strength aerobic stamina. We have a weekly program to maintain a minimum level in each of these elements: we also encourage you to add to it by following your own program, usually by other sports, or cycling, or supervised weight training. Join us on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 at the Unionville High School. Turn off Town Centre Boulevard and park on the west of the school and theatre, or in a small lot off Apple Creek at the north end of the school, or ride your bicycle (see map below). Meet us by the running track (red star on map) for outdoor exercises led by Gary Witney and Roger Buxton. Wear clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor exercises. Bring water, and be prepared to sweat! Suitable for young & old, and beginners & veterans. Completely voluntary and free! Cancelled when raining. For further information, contact: Roger Buxton 905 477-0335 rbuxton@inforamp.net Gary Witney 905 889-9827 gaw@sympatico.ca It takes a dual approach - skating and dryland - to optimize development. The control of body weight on one leg - with optimum knee bend - is not developed by skating alone. Would speedskating coaches consider teaching skating without including dryland training? "Absolutely not," were the words of Dr. Michael Crowe, the architect of skating development for the United States Speedskating Association. "In dry(land) training you develop an essential base of strength, balance, coordination, and power. Without this base there will normally be a number of technical faults that keep the skater from reaching his/her potential." Dryland training is extremely important in that it teaches young skaters to feel the real sequence of power delivery. Jack Blatherwick, Ph.D. http://www.mrassist.com/viewtip.asp?ID=2473

PUBLICITY Rogers TV ran a news story on Friday July 03 2009 during their First Local Sports program about our dryland training sessions on the previous Tuesday. Click on the 'play' arrow below to start the video clip. Rogers TV also ran a news story on Thursday July 12 2007 during their First Local Sports program about one of our dryland training sessions. Click on the 'play' arrow below to start the video clip. Here are some images from the video. Straight line skating imitation Low walk Crossovers (corner simulation) up hill Skating is not the only application of dryland exercises. Crossovers proved to be an excellent way to climb large sand dunes, as shown here: much more effective than the conventional face-up-the-hill toe-in approach. Using crossovers to climb sand dunes: now that's dryland!