Try out speed skating at Northgate Ice Rink
NORTHGATE – The time to learn how to ice skate as finally arrived.
Speed skating is alive and well at the Northgate Ice Rink and will continue at express pace once the lockdown is over.
With professional short-track speed skating coach, Victor Vezi at the helm, ably assisted by a number of experienced skaters, the Northgate Speed Skating Club will teach anyone the basics of ice skating through to the techniques of short-track speed skating. “Short-track speed skating takes place over an oval track of 111m with races in a variety of distances as well as relay races,” explained Dave Draper, the club’s committee member overseeing fundraising.”With international speed skaters reaching speeds of up to 45 km/h, the action is very fast and very exciting.”
He said the vision of the speed skating club is to make the sport affordable and available to anyone who wants to try it out. The club has equipment available for those who wish to try out skating before purchasing their own equipment. “The club caters for all ages with children as young as six through to adults in their 50s currently on the ice. As soon as the Northgate Ice Rink is allowed to reopen, the speed skaters will be hard at training again with the goal of being selected to attend an international speed skating camp in Canada next year.”
The club’s Jason Mdaki (13) said he misses the sport and learning to use balance and posture to create speed, from the great short-track speed skating professional, Victor Vezi.”My Friday evening family are so loving and kept close together,” Jason said. “I miss pushing myself to levels I didn’t believe possible.”
Draper invited anyone interested in finding out more about the sport to join them at training after the lockdown, which will be every Friday from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Details: Northgate Speed Skating Club mnqodi@yahoo.com; 083 391 8927.
