programs
Welcome to the Calgary Grizzlies Speed Skating Club, where we passionately champion the growth and advancement of both short track and long track speed skating. Our commitment extends beyond mere participation—we spearhead the development of this exciting sport, nurturing the future generations of speed skaters.
CUBS
Embark on an icy adventure with our Cubs program, tailored for children aged 3-6 taking their first slide into skating. Join us at the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge once a week. If your little ones can stand and march on ice without help, they’re ready to learn through fun and play!
Our program covers skating basics, from falls and recoveries to glides and sculling. We also instil important safety rules and skating etiquette.
Your little one can use figure or hockey skates, a CSA-approved helmet, and waterproof mittens or gloves. Register your little Cubs now and let their exciting speed skating journey begin!
LEARN TO SPEED SKATE
Ignite your child’s ice-skating journey with our dynamic Learn to Speed Skate program! Tailored for children aged 6-9 years with some skating experience or who have completed our Cubs program, we focus on honing their foundational skating skills and building confidence on the ice.
Held at the Rocky Ridge YMCA, our flexible program allows for one-hour sessions once or twice a week, fitting comfortably around your schedules. Our professional coaches group skaters by skill level, ensuring a progressive and personalized learning experience for each child.
But it’s not all training! We offer our young skaters the chance to apply their skills in Club Mini Meets and sanctioned competitions suitable for their level, adding an exciting competitive edge to their experience.
Completion of the program sets participants up for their next exciting phase – the Learn to Train program. Whether they prefer hockey skates, figure skates, or speed skates, we welcome them all.
For the safety of our skaters, the following equipment is required: Helmet, Cut Proof Gloves, Cut Proof Neck Guard, Protective Eyewear (with strap if competing), Ankle Guards, Shin Guards, and Soft Knee Pads.
Register for our Learn to Speed Skate program today, and let your child glide their way to becoming future speed skating champions!
LEARN TO TRAIN
Get set for an exhilarating ice adventure with our Learn to Train program, perfect for skaters aged 8-11+ who are ready to elevate their skating skills. This program emphasizes technique mastery and skill development, all while keeping the fun alive.
Offering a flexible schedule to cater to your needs, you can opt for either two or three days per week of immersive training. The two-day program includes two Short Track sessions held each week at the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge. Craving more ice time? Our three-day program adds an extra Long Track session at the world-class Calgary Olympic Oval.
Our training model starts with a 30-minute dry land session to warm up and get muscles ready. This is followed by an invigorating 60 on-ice session, where our skaters can put theory into practice, under the guidance of our expert coaches. As the skater’s skills and confidence grow, we encourage them to participate in local competitions, adding an exciting edge to their skating journey.
The Learn to Train program caters to all, whether you have a recreational skater keen to improve or an aspiring athlete ready to advance to our Advanced Training Group.
ADVANCED TRAINING
The Advanced Training program paves the way for skaters ages 11+ to reach elite performance levels within qualifying meets and beyond.
The training sessions are held at the world-class Olympic Oval, offering both three-day and four-day options for maximum flexibility that include dryland and ice training. The AT includes strength training components designed to improve overall fitness levels, increase strength and enhance endurance. These aspects are crucial for athletes to perform at their best, decrease the risk of injuries, and improve recovery time.
Optional Long Track Add-On For those enrolled in either the three or four-day Advanced Training Programs, we offer an optional Long Track Add-On in partnership with Speed Skating Alberta’s AB Hug Long Track Academy.
Skin suits & skates!
We want to make our sport accessible to all members of our community. As part of our mission, we have speed skates that can be rented at very affordable price points for use during the season.
Additionally, we offer a skin suit buy-back program to alleviate the financial burden of your skater outgrowing their gear, making the transition to a larger size much smoother on your wallet.
We are committed to making sure that equipment is accessible to everyone, emphasizing inclusivity and affordability.
Email Us
fun@yycspeed.ca
