KWSSSC News & Coming Events

Learn to Speed Skate Program: Registration on Thursday, January 12, 2012

The K-W Sertoma Speed Skating Club Learn to Speed Skate Program will be offered again this season. Registration and skate fitting for the winter session will be held Thursday, January 12, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the Lions rink at RIM Park. The on-ice sessions for the winter Learn to Speed Skate program will be held on Saturdays: January 21 , 28 , February 4 , 11, each session from 10-11am. The registration fee, including skate rental, is $60.00 per person, or $150.00 for family 3 or more. For more information, download the Learn to Speed Skate brochure and registration form.

Updates to the Ice Schedule as of September 3

Please note: The ice schedule was updated with some corrections on September 3rd. If you downloaded it prior to then, please download it again from the Schedule page. The first ice time (Thurs. Sept. 8) is from 7:00 - 9:00pm only (no ice from 6-7pm, for this session only).

Upcoming Coaching Clinics in Waterloo and Markham

Aug 20-21 at RIM Park, Waterloo FUNdamentals A Coaching Course
Sept 17-18 in Markham FUNdamentals B Coaching Course
KWSSSC Coaches who would like to register for the Coaching Clinics should download the registration form from the OSSA site.
Please contact Coach Patti with any questions.

Registration and Rental Skate Fitting & Pickup - August 11, 2011

The club will be doing the rental skate fitting and pickup for the membership on Thursday, August 11th from 7:00 till 9:00 pm at RIM Park's Lions pad. Please bring your registration form, signed Code of Conduct form, and payment(s). Full membership details can be found on the Club Info page.

Track Marking - August 12, 2011

Before we can skate, we need to measure and install the practice track. This is a precision process, involving powertools, pennies and paint. If you've never seen this done before, come out and lend a hand on Friday, August 12th from 7:00 pm until roughly 9:00 pm. We will be marking the Lions pad at RIM Park. Experienced help is most appreciated as well, of course!

FUNdamentals SpeedSkating Camp - August 20-23, 2011

The K-W Sertoma Speed Skating Club is proud once again to host FUNdamentals SpeedSkating Camp! Beginner and novice skaters, aged 5-12 years, can learn and practice the basics of speed skating with certified coaches. The camp includes 7 hours of ice as well as dryland and off-ice instruction. FUNdamentals SpeedSkating Camp will be held at RIM Park in Waterloo from 8:30am - 1:30pm daily, August 20-23, 2011. For all details, please download the registration form. You can also read the 2010 camp report to see what's in store!

KWSSSC Club Jackets - Order by April 7

Through Roger Steinman’s and Pauline Woodall’s contacts, we are able to offer club members a good deal on jackets, very similar to the black and gray ones that the skaters and coaches wore for the International Children’s Games this winter. You often see Jacqueline, Noah S., Noah H. and Paisley wearing them during second hour. Doug Flynn and Patti Walsh also have jackets. The jackets we will be ordering will be the exact same jacket with the same Cobra’s logo on the front and a Canadian flag on the sleeve. Instead of the Children’s Games logo, it will have KW Speedskating on the back.

The price is $90, including taxes, and payment must be made in full before we order. Please make cheques payable to KWSSSC. The order deadline is the end of the banquet on April 7th. We will have the jackets available for pick up from a location in K-W toward the end of April.

An order form, stapled to an envelope for cheque collection, will be at the banquet and on the table at the arena from near the end of the first hour until shortly after the beginning of third hour until the end of the season.

Those who own the jackets are encouraged to bring them to the arena and to the banquet so others can try them on for size. Unfortunately the jackets are not available in children’s sizes. The sizes available are: Women’s - XS (Jacqueline), S (Patti), M (Paisley), L, XL; Men’s - S (Noah S and H), M, L, XL (Doug) and 2XL.

If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Cook, Roger or Pauline at the arena or banquet.

Upcoming Events - End of Season

"Festival on Ice" Monday, March 28

We will be holding a special "Festival on Ice" on Monday, March 28, for the first two hour groups. The format is as follows:
First Hour Ice: Starts 6:00 and runs until 7:30
Second Hour Ice: Starts 6:30 and runs until 8:00
There is indeed an overlap between first and second hour - both groups will be on the ice from 6:30 - 7:30. Both groups get an extra half hour of ice time. Third Hour Ice remains unchanged.
The theme is Rodeo on Ice. Western attire is optional. Come one, come all!

Last Skate Practice - Thursday, March 31

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. The last on-ice session of the 2010-2011 season is Thursday, March 31st. All equipment must be returned by that date, with the exception of those skaters competing at the regional/Masters Championship in Ottawa in early April.

Year End Banquet - Thursday, April 7

Celebrate a great skating year by attending the Year End Banquet and Awards Night!
When: Thursday April 7th social time at 6:00 pm, dinner served at 6:30 pm
Where: at the K-W Granite Curling Club, 99 Seagram Drive, Waterloo
Tickets: Adults $10, Kids $7 (4 to 12 years of age), purchase your tickets from Ann Flanagan, Don Clark or Doug Gibbons on skate nights.

KWSSSC Club AGM - Thursday, May 5

Get involved in your club or "find out more" by attending the Club Annual General Meeting.
When: Thursday May 5th; 6:30 pm Trust Meeting, 7:00 pm AGM
Where: at the Country Hills Community Centre, 100 Rittenhouse Rd, Kitchener
Of note: Election of Board of Directors will take place at the meeting

OSSA AGM - May 14-15 in Peterborough

Attend the OSSA Annual General Meeting.
When: May 14/15
Where: Trent University in Peterborough
Of note: Our club has 4 votes so needs 4 delegates to participate. Contact Doug Flynn if interested.

Free Information Session Saturday, January 15

While there is no ice on Sat. Jan. 15th, we have time to hold an information meeting for all members and those registered for Learn to Speed Skate from 10am-1pm. We would like to see all club members come out for one or two hours to learn everything they haven't already heard about our club and speed skating training.

Please e-mail Patti Walsh with any questions or topics you may want covered, but come to hear more about the training, equipment and fellowship that makes KW Sertoma Speed Skating club such a great and unique club. Mark your calendars now: Saturday, January 15th 10am-1pm. All skaters and parents should try to attend.

KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club mourns the loss of life member Bob Planert

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mr Robert (Bob) Planert on Thursday, November 25th. Bob was heavily involved in speed skating throughout his life, building and contributing to the sport in many ways. His early involvement included becoming a master craftsman of Planert speed skates, used by skaters all over the world. As one of the founders of the K-W Sertoma Speedskating Club, Bob coached and mentored many skaters to great success. He was affectionately known as “Pops” to the skating community and in later years served in various officiating roles throughout North America. His contributions were acknowledged through numerous awards, including Speed Skating Canada’s official of the year award and being inducted into both the Canadian Speedskating and USA Speedskating Halls of Fame. Bob will be greatly missed by the club.

This text adapted from Speed Skating Canada's announcement, made on Nov.29, 2010.

John Walsh Named SSC Official of the Year

Congratulations to KWSSSC's own John Walsh! On September 25th, John received the "Official of the Year" award from Speed Skating Canada. Here, John (right) receives his award from the Speed Skating Canada President (left).

KWSSSC President Doug Flynn offers his congratulations on behalf of the entire club to John on his well-deserved award. John received the award in Montreal at the Officials Sympossium.

John Walsh visiting with former KWSSSC member Shawn Mau, who is now living and skating in Calgary.
Congratulations, John!!!

Brampton Western Regional Meet #2 November 13, 2010

Our club will be participating in the Brampton Western Regional Meet #2, hosted by the Brampton Ontario Speed Skating Club (BOSS), at Century Gardens Recration Centre in Brampton.

Forest City International Western Regional Meet #1 October 16-17, 2010

Our club will be participating in the Forest City International meet, to be held October 16-17, 2010, at the Dorchester Arena. All entrants must complete and submit their form for entry into the "blue folder" during practice time - the KWSSSC entry deadline is Monday, October 4.

Fall Mini-Meet held Saturday, October 2

Our fall Mini Meet was run from 10:00 - 12:00 on Saturday October 2nd.
Congratulations to all who participated in the club Mini-Meet, especially to those who set Personal Bests by participating in their first race!

Our Mini Meet concludes our Learn to Speed Skate program. Skaters will utilize the skills they learned (straights, corners, and starts), in a fun and supportive racing environment. Participants who wish to continue skating with our club should contact Rosie, the membership director, for more information.

Clara Hughes is coming to town!

Clara Hughes, Canadian Olympic Medalist at Summer and Winter Games for Cycling and Speed Skating, and the Winner of more medals at the Summer and Winter Games than anyone else in history, will be speaking in the K-W Counselling 60th Anniversary Speakers Series.

THE OLYMPIC DREAM: From a Troubled Youth to a Champion, How Sports Changed My Life

Thursday, November 11th, 2010, starting at 6:00 pm in the Bingemans Ballroom.
$950.00 - Corporate Table (8 seats)
$95.00 - Individual Tickets
All tickets include reception,dinner and keynote speaker. Tickets can be purchased online.
For more information or to donate: 519-884-0000 or email speakerseries@kwcounselling.com

FUNdamentals Speed Skating Camp: August 28-31, 2010

KWSSSC held the FUNdamentals Speed Skating Camp, for beginners and novices aged 5-12 years old This past August. The camp was held August 28-31, 2010 from 8:00am-1:00pm daily at RIM Park, and included 7 hours of on-ice instruction, as well as dryland training and off ice instruction.

Read all about it in Patti's FUNdamentals Speed Skating Camp Report.

Learn to Speed Skate Program: Registration on Thursday, September 9

The KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club Learn to Speed Skate Program will be offered twice during the 2010-2011 season, in September 2010, and again in January 2011. Registration and skate fitting for the fall session will be held Thursday, September 9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. For more information, download the Learn to Speed Skate brochure and registration form.

2010-2011 Registration: September 9

A second Registration & Skate Fitting session will be held Thursday, September 9, from 7:00 - 9:00pm, with the sessions starting in September. The ice schedule for the 2010-2011 season has been finalized.

Membership Forms: Please download and print your forms double-sided, and bring to registration / skate pick-up night.
2-day membership form (for Monday OR Thursday plus Saturday).
3-day membership form (for full Monday, Thursday and Saturday registration).
All members must read and agree to the Code of Conduct. Please review the Code of Conduct, then print and sign the Code of Conduct Signature form. Please return the signed Code of Conduct form with your registration.

Congratulations, Jesse!

Jesse Pauley was honoured with a KYAC (Kitchener Youth Action Council) award for Sports and Recreation Award 2010 on Thursday, May 6th, 2010. We congratulate Jesse, one of our skaters and coaches.