General Skating Information:-

The club has a number of speed skates available for beginners to hire.  If you have hockey or figure skates, bring them along to your first session.

When speed skating, long clothing must be worn, also a bike helmet, gloves, shin guards and knee pads will be needed.  The club has a limited number of kneepads and shin guards for use. The use of a neck guard is strongly recommended but not essential for beginners.

General Training Rules:-

• No sitting on or climbing over the barrier.
 
• No skaters to be on the ice whilst the Zamboni is resurfacing the ice.

• All safety matting must be in place and the Zamboni gates are shut before warm up or training commences.

• All other gates must be closed whilst training.

• Before entering or crossing the track ensure it is safe to do so. Take care not to cut skaters off who are using the track. Larger groups need to exercise more caution.

• When resting inside the track between sets you must stay at least one (1) metre inside the line of the blocks this includes the straights.

• There shall be no stopping along the barrier, either along the straights or coming out of the corners whilst any of the groups are training.

• The only place where drink bottles, warm up tops and any other items are to be left inside the centre circle in the middle of the rink.

• No skate guards or clothing is to be left on or hanging over the barrier.

• When skating wide, close to the barrier between set you must skate single file. (One behind the other.)

• Think of others when you finish your laps, there could be someone directly behind you; clear the track as soon as possible.

• Calling “Track” means that a faster skater or group is approaching and wishes to you to move toward the barrier.  The onus for safety is on the overtaking skater or group.  “Track” cannot be called if the skater has no room to move, the faster skater or group must slow to avoid collision and overtake when it is safe.  “Track” needs to be called loud enough to be heard and with enough notice.  The slower the skater in front, the more time they need to move.  Do not call “Track” for fun.  Stay in your skating line if Track is not called.  The faster skater or group is happy to go round you.

• During relay training, if not participating, you must stay inside the centre circle in the middle of the rink or you may wish leave the ice.

• After completing your set of laps, please replace any blocks you have kicked.

• No swearing. Bad Language will not be tolerated on or off the ice. Remember, you are always representing your sport, Short Track Speed Skating.

• We skate in a counter – clockwise direction.