TRY SPEED SKATING

Try Speed Skating!

IMPORTANT: these options are only available from September to March as Kitsilano Rink does not have ice in April through August.

If you cannot skate

For children aged 5-13: start with our Learn to Skate program and progress into the paid One-Month Trial or full Beginner program
For 14 and up: we suggest you sign up for the One-Month Trial and attend the Advanced practices on Sundays for 8 weeks.

If you have basic skating skills

Sign up for a paid One-Month Trial, or
Come to our annual “Try Speed Skating” event

More detail about all options are below.

Learn to Skate

FALL: Sept 20 to Dec 20 (13 Sunday lessons, no run Oct 25), max 10 skaters

WINTER: Jan 10 to Mar 14 (10 Sunday lessons), max 10 skaters

FULL COST $204

COST BREAKDOWN

VVSSC fee $174
SSBC fee $20 (Intro Athlete)
SSC fee $10
Skate rental $0

REQUIREMENTS

For children aged 5-13. Must be able to attend a class without parent involvement.
A pair of skates. Hockey or figure skates are fine: please acquire these yourself. You can also borrow club speed skates for free if stock is available and your skater is at least size 29 EU (approx 11.5 US kids).
Must wear full speed skating safety equipment (supplied by club)
Parents must stay in the arena to help if the skater needs to go to the bathroom or other supports (or designate another parent to do so).

Want to speed skate but can’t skate yet? Learn to Skate is for you!

Learn to Skate is for children ages 5–13 and follows Speed Skating Canada’s First and Fast Strides curriculum. Skaters progress through four levels, earning pins and stickers as they learn key skills—from first steps on the ice to confident forward and backward gliding. All lessons are taught by NCCP‑certified coaches with support from trained junior coaches.

Lessons run Sundays for 45 minutes and share ice time with our Beginner speed skating group. The fall sessions is 13 lessons and the winter one is 10 lessons – see above for exact dates.

After Learn to Skate
Graduates may join our One‑Month Trial or move directly into the Beginner (Learn to Speed Skate) program. If you continue into Beginner, your Learn to Skate fee will be credited—contact our registrar for a discount code at the end of your session.

Included

All required safety equipment (with refundable $250 deposit cheque). Equipment must be returned; please purchase your own gear if continuing.
Optional free speed skate rental if sizing is available (with refundable $500 deposit cheque)

Please note

No make‑up classes; missed lessons cannot be rescheduled.
If ice becomes unavailable, VVSSC will try to reschedule but cannot guarantee replacement sessions.
The club, its board, volunteers, and coaches are not responsible for any accidents, injuries, or loss of personal belongings either on or off the ice while attending our programs.

IMPORTANT: Return equipment at end of trial

At the end of your trial, please clean and return your equipment kit so the next skater can use it. Let us know if items need replacement. If you will continue skating with us, please arrange to get your own safety equipment in time for the start of your next session through online shops like the Calgary Oval Shop or ilovespeedskating.com.

One Month Trial

FULL COST $227

COST BREAKDOWN

VVSSC fee $197
SSBC fee $10 (Intro Athlete)
SSC fee $20

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum age 5 with basic skating experience, including:

– Can skate the length of the rink without assistance
– Can glide on one foot for 2.0m
– Can forward scull with both feet
– Can snowplow stop with both feet

Have basic skating skills and want to try speed skating before you commit? Try our One Month Trial!

For children aged 5-13
Through the One Month Trial you can skate full‑time with our Beginner group for 4 weeks. You choose your start date (any Sunday), then attend three practices each week: two on‑ice sessions and one dryland session. Check the Practice Schedule for exact times.

For those aged 14-18
Please reach out to our registrar for advice – we will determine which group will be best for you to skate with during your trial period.

Adult options
Adults can also do an 8‑week, once‑a-week trial with our Masters group to fit around work schedules. If you’re an adult who cannot skate yet, you can join the Masters’ Sunday practices for 8 weeks as your trial.

Want to keep going afterwards? The trial cost will be applied to full membership. Contact our registrar for a discount code.

Included

Free speed skate rental with $500 deposit cheque
All needed safety equipment with $250 deposit cheque. Return your equipment and buy your own if you continue with us.
Membership fees for Speed Skating Canada and Speed Skating BC

IMPORTANT: Return equipment at end of trial

"Try Speed Skating" Annual Event

Every year, we run a low-cost “try speed skating” event in the fall to invite interested skaters to try out our sport at Kitsilano Rink.

The event is a few hours on one day and includes skating warm up, intro to speed skating specific techniques and race simulations. Skaters can try out speed skates if we have boots in their size, or can use hockey/figure skates from the skate hut.

Participation requirements

Must be at least age 5 as of June 30 of the current year and able to participate independently. (Kids and adults are welcome)
Must have basic skating skills
– Can skate the length of the rink without assistance
– Can glide on one foot for 2.0m
– Can forward scull with both feet
– Can snowplow stop with both feet
Must NOT have attended a Try Speed Skating event before – if you have already attended a Try Speed Skating session, the next step for you is the One Month Trial.

What to bring

PLEASE BRING ANY SAFETY EQUIPMENT you may already have, such as helmet, soft knee pads, safety glasses, – see complete list of required equipment here. The club can likely lend the more obscure items, but supplies are limited.

When is the next event?

In 2025/2026 our club will run 2 Try Speed Skating events:

~~Some time in November, exact time TBD~~ Mon October 13, 10-1pm
~~Some time in February, exact time TBD.~~

Event capacity is limited and you must register to participate. Sign up on our waitlist to be notified when registration is available for both events.

We’re excited to see you on the ice!