NEWCOMERS Were you excited by the speed skating you saw in the Olympic Games in February 2006? Are you interested in speed skating and would like to give it a try? If so, then contact the Club to find out how you can start. OPEN HOUSE Come to our free OPEN HOUSE where you will have the opportunity to learn about the sport from talking to skaters and coaches and watching our videos. Then you will actually skate on speed skates, which we will loan to you. You will find that they feel quite different from the hockey or figure skates you may be familiar with, but you will also discover that you can go considerably faster with them. Welcome to the world of speed and racing! When? Saturday September 08 2007, with ice from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Arrive after 1 p.m. or at least half an hour before you expect to skate. Where? The Mount Joy Arena in Markham: see map. What do I need? Wear comfortable but snug clothes with full length sleeves and legs, such as a sweat suit. Bring a helmet (hockey or bicycle or equivalent is fine) and gloves (lightweight leather or synthetic material is best). If you have a neck guard (hockey style) and knee pads (soft is best, but hard shell ones are fine too), bring them as well. You may also wear elbow pads and wrist guards if you prefer, but they are not required and are not normally worn. Most of all, bring curiosity, an appetite to learn, and a desire to excel. Must I be able to skate? An ability to skate on hockey or figure skates is definitely advantageous, but you will still have to change your technique to suit speed skates and the requirements of racing. You will definitely benefit from the experience, whatever your objectives are or become. Is there any age limitation? No. Although the major objective is to develop the racing abilities of young people from age six and up, most provincial race meets also include many adults of all ages, so everyone can participate, compete, and have fun. LEARN TO SPEED SKATE If you are new to speed skating and are hesitant to commit to a full season at the outset, we will offer Learn To Speed Skate programs to introduce you to the skills and thrills of the sport for a limited time and price. You will receive:   •   four hours of ice time   •   instruction from our coaches   •   use of speed skates. These will be held during our regular ice time from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on four successive Friday evenings at the Mount Joy arena in Markham (see map) beginning on the following dates:   •   September 21 2007 (n.b. revised date)   •   November 2 2007   •   January 4 2008. Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. on each evening. The cost will be $90, which can be applied towards a regular Club membership if you choose to continue. Wear comfortable but snug clothes with full length sleeves and legs, such as a sweat suit. You are required to bring and wear the regular personal safety items of:   •   a helmet (hockey or bicycle or equivalent)   •   neck guard (hockey bib style).   •   gloves (lightweight leather or cut-resistant synthetic material)   •   knee pads (soft or hard shell) Please contact the Club if you have questions or need further information.