CALGARY OLYMPIC OVAL MASTERS CAMP 2008

Many thanks, once again, to Anna Delaney of the Kingston Striders Speed Skating Club for this account of her experience at the camp last month.

In the wee morning hours of Monday July 21st, 20 masters speed skaters checked in for their summer speed skating camp at the Olympic Oval in Calgary....5 days of concentrated learning. We had come from Italy, Great Britain, the East Coast, British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta to benefit from the knowledge and skills of coaches Kevin Crockett, Tawnya Yard, Abby Ennis, and Debbie Fisher. Throughout the 5 days, we acquired improved techniques in straightaway striding, cornering with accelerations, starts, a solid foundation in structuring intervals, warm-ups and cool-downs, and the finer aspects of sharpening, rockering and setting our blades.

Photo courtesy of Paolo Scotti

Our seminars also dealt with some basics in the physiology of exercise, specifically speed skating, along with principles of rejuvenation. Those of us who stayed in the University of Calgary residences had the advantage of being able to walk to the oval in 5 minutes or less, making it easier to be on time for the 2 ice sessions a day.

We were also fortunate to watch visiting National teams from other countries and a professional team from the Netherlands.

Photo courtesy of Anna Delaney

Our gratitude goes out to our coaches and coordinator, Graeme Koelwyn. This camp was one of the most positive experiences in speed skating ever!!!