EQUIPMENT

Some safety equipment is required in order to speed skate. Safety is paramount for everyone participating at practices and competition. Skaters are not permitted to be on the ice if they are missing one of the following listed items. No exceptions.

Below is a checklist of all required equipment with detailed descriptions. Refer to the photo of all equipment at the bottom. Please email info@vancouverspeedskating.com if you have any questions.

NOTE: There is no dedicated speed skating store in Vancouver. Our athletes often order from I Love Speed Skating (based in Kamloops) or the Calgary Olympic Oval store (based in Calgary), or other speed skating stores in Canada. You may also try Amazon, but it is often difficult to find specialized speed skating equipment. Delivery times of online sellers can vary so please order well in advance of the first ice session. If you are missing some pieces of equipment on Day 1, we may be able to lend some equipment but do not count on it.

Equipment Checklist

	Equipment	Description	Check?
1	Helmet	Purchase or bring hockey/ski helmet
2	Protective Eyewear	Purchase online
3	Neck Guard	Purchase or bring hockey neck guard
4	Cut-Resistant Gloves	Purchase online
5	Knee Pads	Purchase or bring volleyball/soccer pads
6	Shin Pads	Purchase or bring soccer pads
7	Cut-Proof Socks	Buy online or from VSSC during registration
8	Skin Suit*	Optional. Bring outerwear if no skin suit *If wearing skin suit, we suggest wearing thermal under clothing and an outer hoodie or jacket.
9	Outer-clothing	Required if not wearing skin suit
10	Skates	VSSC has speed skates available for rental, subject to size availability.	N/A
11	Skate Guards	Buy online or from VSSC during registration
12	Skate Blade Covers/Soakers	Buy online or make yourself
13	Water Bottle	Any bottle is fine but no metal please

Equipment Descriptions

1. Helmet

Most skaters wear a dedicated speed skating helmet. However some initially choose to wear a hockey or snowboard/ski helmet. These types of helmets are fine as they will typically meet the ASTM F 1849 – 07 guideline. Note that bike helmets are not permitted due to the large air holes. Speed skating helmets can be purchased at any online speed skate vendors. Please purchase a helmet prior to the season start date OR bring a hockey/ski/snowboard helmet.

Examples of speed skate helmets:

2. Protective Eyewear

Skaters need to wear shatter-proof glasses with clear lenses for practice. For competition, a retention strap that goes around the head is required.

Examples of shatter-proof glasses and straps:

3. Neck Guard

Skaters need a neck guard made of cut-proof material. This can be purchased from speed skate vendors, OR you can use a dedicated hockey neck guard which can be purchased at any sports store in Vancouver. Please note: As of 2023, when skating in meets, the neck guard must be high enough reach the top of your throat (level with the chin).

Examples of neck guards:

4. Cut-Resistant Gloves

Skaters need to protect their hands with cut-resistant material. You can either wear normal gloves with a light cut-resistant liner underneath OR wear cut resistant gloves. They do not need to be speed-skate specific.

Examples of cut-resistant gloves:

5. Knee Pads

Knee pads can be any type of knee pad that adds protection from a fall, but we request that you use soft knee pads, not ones that have hard plastic. These can be purchased from any sports store.

Examples of knee pads:

6. Shin Pads

Shin pads need to be hard plastic but don’t need to be speed skating specific. Inserts are great if worn with a skin suit (there is typically a pocket in the skin suit for the shin pad to fit into) or if worn with a long sock such as in soccer. Otherwise, shin pads with straps are also fine. Shin pads can be bought at any sporting goods store.

Examples of shin pads:

7. Cut-Proof Socks

Skaters wear normal sports socks inside the skates. However, cut proof “ankle socks” are required to protect the ankle region and extend over the top of the skates. These can be purchased when you register for the Vancouver Speed Skating Club season (look for the tick box when you are going through the registration process). They can also be purchased at any speed skating retailer.

Examples of cut-proof socks:

8. Skin Suit (Optional)

The Club has some VSSC skin suits available for purchase for $125. Stock is limited. We will make a bulk order after the season begins. Suits take approximately 8 weeks for manufacturing and shipping, so skaters need to wear alternate clothing until their skin suits arrive. There may be an additional order mid-season depending on demand. Skaters who have a skin suit will typically wear a thermal under shirt and long thermal pants for warmth underneath their skin suit, plus a hoodie or a jacket as an outer layer to stay warm.

9. Outer-clothing for Those with No Skin Suit

Skaters do not need a skin suit to skate with our club. New skaters can wear a winter sports jacket (i.e. snow/ski/snowboard), a warm layer underneath, and snow pants or warm tech pants. Generally skaters can wear whatever they are comfortable in but clothing that does not restrict movement is best. As such, bulky jackets are discouraged. As noted above, skin suit orders will be made a few times during the season for those who eventually decide to purchase.

10. Skates

Skaters are required to wear speed skates. Speed skate rental can be included in the cost of registration and will be supplied before the season starts. We have a wide variety of sizes available. Skaters will take the skates home after each practice and will need to hand-sharpen the skates from time-to-time at the club. Sharpening is a learned skill but is not difficult. We provide a tutorial for all skaters and parents.

11. Skate Guards

Hard skate guards are mandatory to ensure the skate blades do not get nicked/damaged, and to prevent the blades from cutting anyone. These hard guards are worn while skaters tie their skates, and also worn while walking to/from the bench before/after ice time. Hard guards will be provided with skate rentals, subject to availability. If Club hard guards are not available, you can also purchase from speed skate online shops.

Examples of hard guards:

12. Skate Blade Covers – Soakers

After taking off skates each session, the skate blades will be covered in water/ice/frost. Placing and leaving the skates as-is in the hard plastic skate guards will result in the blades rusting. Therefore, after the session, once the skates are taken off, the blades should be wiped with a cloth and placed in “soaker” blade covers.

Examples of soakers:

You can also sew some if you’re feeling creative: https://www.sewalittleseam.com/product/skate-blade-covers/.

13. Water-bottle

Skaters should bring a non-metal water bottle to each practice to stay hydrated. Metal is discouraged as it can freeze the ice surface.