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

  1. Start with our Learn to Skate program and progress into the paid One-Month Trial or full Beginner program

If you have basic skating skills

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

More detail about all options are below.

Learn to Skate

FALL: Sept 21 to Dec 14 (13 Sunday lessons), max 5 skaters

WINTER: Jan 11 to Mar 15 (10 Sunday lessons), min 5 skaters

Register Now

FULL COST $169

COST BREAKDOWN

VVSSC fee  $169
SSC fee  $0
SSBC fee  $0
Skate rental $0

REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum age of 5 and can 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? Our new Learn to Skate program is for you! 

In 2024, Speed Skating Canada launched First & Fast Strides, giving Canadians an exciting new option for learning how to skate – and how to skate fast. The program consists of ten different levels, which are divided into two segments: First Strides (Learn to Skate) and Fast Strides (Learn to Speed Skate). There are benchmark skills to be completed within each level and rewards associated with the achievement of those skills, including pins, stickers and other incentives.

Vancouver’s Learn to Skate program comprises the First Strides (Learn to Skate) segment of the program. Skaters looking to learn basic skating skills will work their way through four levels, with NCCP certified coaches and trained junior coaches guiding participants through each skating milestone – from first steps on the ice to gliding forward and backward around the rink. 

In 2025-26, Learn to Skate will be a “pilot” program to assess the program’s fit with our club and identify any adjustments to improve outcomes. It will run weekly on Sundays for 45 minutes and will be delivered during the same ice time as our Beginner speed skating group. There will be two sessions this season:

  • a fall session of 5 skaters running Sept 21 to Dec 14 (13 Sunday lessons)
  • a winter session with minimum 5 skaters running Jan 11 to Mar 15 (10 Sunday lessons). 

Learn to Skate graduates are welcome to register in our One Month Trial program or join our full-time Beginner (Learn to Speed Skate) program to continue their speed skating journey. If you choose to continue to the Beginner program, the cost of Learn to Skate will be applied to the Beginner program fees – please reach out to our registrar for a discount code at the end of your session.

Included

  • All needed safety equipment with $250 deposit cheque
  • If desired and sizing is available, free speed skate rental with $500 deposit cheque

Please note

  • Make up classes are not available. If your skater misses a lesson, there will no replacement time for their session. Ice time is non-transferrable.
  • VSSC is not responsible for cancellation of classes due to unavailable ice, but will make every effort to reschedule if possible.
  • Vancouver Speed Skating Club, its board members, 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.

One Month Trial

Register Now

FULL COST $221

COST BREAKDOWN

VVSSC fee  $191
SSC fee  $0
SSBC fee  $85

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum age 5 with basic skating experience, including:

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

Do you have basic skating skills and want to try out speed skating? Our paid “One Month Trial” program runs throughout the season, starting on a Sunday practice of your choice and continues for 4 weeks of full-time skating with our Beginner group to start (3x weekly: two on-ice sessions and one dryland session). Coaches will decide if trial members should move to a different program group based on age and ability. See the Practice Schedule for detailed timing info. 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
  • Membership fees for Speed Skating Canada and Speed Skating BC

"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.  Kids must be at least age 5 as of June 30 of the current year and able to participate independently. Adults are welcome too!

Skaters can try out speed skates if we have boots in their size, or can use hockey/figure skates from the skate hut. We supply all needed safety equipment. 

The event is a few hours on one day and includes skating warm up, intro to speed skating specific techniques and race simulations. 

See the bottom of this page to find out when we will be running our next event. If the event has already passed, sign up on our waitlist to be notified about the next Try Speed Skating event.

2025/2026 Try Speed Skating Events

This year our club will run 2 Try Speed Skating events:

  • Tuesday November 11, exact time TBD
  • Monday February 16, exact time TBD, but will be at the end of the MiniVan speed skating meet. Attendees are encouraged to watch the meet before skating!

Both events will include skating warm up, intro to speed skating specific techniques and race simulations. We will aim to have skaters try speed skates if we have boots in their size. 

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

Location 
Kitsilano Ice Rink, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver BC, V6K 4K9

Detailed event schedule 
Details to come

Safety equipment will be provided

We’re excited to see you on the ice!