SPECIAL OLYMPICS
VSSC Program
Special Olympics Skaters
Since 2014, VSSC has provided Speed Skating lessons to Special Olympians. The program has become one of the largest SO speed skating groups in British Columbia.
Speed skating is a unique sport in that it focusses largely on self-improvement. That is, success is gauged largely by improvements in technique and racing strategies, and less-so on the actual outcome of any competition relative to other skaters or teams. Thus, the athlete can focus on achieving “personal bests”, and clearly measure their improvement in technique and fitness.
Coaches, fellow non-SO athletes, and parents acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and personal bests of our SO athletes, providing a supportive, positive, and engaging environment in which they can thrive physically and socially.
Program Details
Speed skating is a unique sport in that it focusses largely on self-improvement. That is, success is gauged largely by improvements in technique and racing strategies, and less-so on the actual outcome of any competition relative to other skaters or teams. Thus, the athlete can focus on achieving “personal bests”, and clearly measure their improvement in technique and fitness.
Coaches, fellow non-SO athletes, and parents acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and personal bests of our SO athletes, providing a supportive, positive, and engaging environment in which they can thrive physically and socially.
Benefits
Fully integrating SO athletes with non-SO trainees and working with SOBC-sponsored coaches and our own, allows everyone to benefit from the resulting social interactions, in addition to improving fitness, coordination, balance, confidence. Furthermore, the SO and non-SO skaters develop a healthy respect for each other’s abilities and enjoy the camaraderie of feeling part of a single club.
Some of our advanced youth skaters also help coach the SO athletes. Having coaches of a similar age helps the latter accept and meet the sport’s challenges more easily. And, importantly, the non-SO coaches benefit by gaining teaching and social experience with members of society who they may not otherwise encounter on a daily basis.
