December 2007 Newsletter ... click to read

Skaters! 2008 Arctic Winter Games Speedskating Team!!
Board Meeting Minutes from 22 March 2008 meeting ... click here

Weekly Skating Practice

Harry J. McDonald Center, Eagle River

For every practice it is expected that skaters will arrive 45 minutes prior to ice time in order to move mats from the trailer outside, to the rink next to the Zamboni doors.  At 30 minutes before ice time there will be a 15 minute warm up session.  If you are not warmed up, you will not be ready to use your expensive ice time effectively.  The warm up will end 15 minutes before ice time.  You can then sign in, pay fees, put your gear on and get hydrated.  You should be waiting to zoom onto the ice when the Zamboni is finished!

Skaters and families are expected to participate to help everyone gain the most from their ice time.

You are responsible for maintaining your skates – please arrive with them sharpened and ready to go.  If you need to borrow a jig or stone from the club or another skater, please be responsible and return the jig or stone to its storage or proper owner.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT!

Helmet, neck guard, gloves, knee pads & shin guards

NON-SKATERS & FAMILY

Each practice requires support staff!  Before and after every practice, we need you to help wrestle the blue safety mats to/from the Zamboni doors at the far end of the rink.  It only takes about 5 minutes each time.  During races, we need all hands on deck!  Each race requires the following: Timers, judges, lap counters, results compilation/awards & heat box helpers.  If you are unsure of what each job requires, we will happily provide on-the-job-training!  Our numbers are limited, and we simply could not hold races if every non-skater were a spectator.  We also have numerous volunteer opportunities including, newsletter, equipment, publicity, fundraising, awards, photography, membership, and races.

Thanks!  Now……SKATE FAST, TURN LEFT!!

Need more info?  Steve Nelson 868-3999 or Peter Haeussler 688-6585

Speedskating in Alaska

Speedskating has been a popular activity in Alaska for over a two decades. The Alaska Speedskating Club trains actively in the winter months and does "dry land" training during the summer to keep in shape.

Participants of all ages from "PeeWee" through "Grand Masters" skate in fun events, club races, statewide championships, the biennial Arctic Winter Games, the North American Championships  and the National Speedskating Championships.

The club conducts training clinics every year with nationally ranked coaches and skaters to help our skaters develop specialized skills.

Anyone interested in learning to speedskate is welcome to join us on any practice day. Check the Club Schedule page for a date and time, then show up a few minutes early at the Harry McDonald Memorial Center in Eagle River. We provide skating equipment (speedskates, protective equipment, helmets, etc.) for new skaters and there is always a coach available to help you get started.

Want to try speedskating?

If you are interested in giving the sport of speedskating a try, or you want to better understand what the sport is all about, check our frequent questions page for additional information.

Speedskating oval (outdoor long track) A regulation 400-m long track speedskating oval is measured out by the ASC and maintained during the winter months by the Municipality of Anchorage on Westchester Lagoon. An outdoor, unrefrigerated, regulation 400-m oval is being designed and planned for Cuddy Family Mid-Town Park. The park is located between the Loussac Library and Office Depot, and is scheduled to open this winter. The Anchorage Skates Community is working on ensuring that lights are installed for the winter season. ADN article on long track speedskating ... click here for story Anchorage Skates is a group of people who have been involved in the promotion of the idea of a long-track oval in Anchorage. They have raised funds for the construction of the oval and have been involved with the design of the Cuddy Family Mid-Town Park. A donor-advised fund was established with the Alaska Community Foundation to help plan, construct, and maintain long track oval.

All Short Track races are held at the Harry McDonald Arena in Eagle River. You must be a ASC member or affiliated with another club or program and also have an ASU membership on file/pending to receive club fee benefits. Separate fees for nonmembers. Beginner members and nonmembers need to attend at least two practice sessions before participating in a club race.