Speed Skating Info     What is Speed Skating Speed skating originated in Europe before World War 1 when many ice skaters started taking to the roads in summer after spending a long time indoors during the long winter months. Until 1991, speed skating was contested on traditional roller skates, however, inline skates have proved to be faster and more exciting. Most competitors around the world use inline skates for speed skating. Who can enjoy Speed Skating? Boys and girls, men and women of all ages are speed skating in Australia. After learning to skate, a few more lessons on the special skills of speed skating are sufficient to get new skaters started in this branch of Roller Sports. Anyone, who enjoys speed and enjoys the satisfaction of producing this speed with his or her own legs, will enjoy speed skating. Where are Speed Skating competitions held? Any flat surface can be used for speed skating so speed skaters can be found training and competing in roller skating rinks, banked tracks that are similar to velodromes, on net ball courts and even flat car parks. Mother and daughter work together in an open race. Masters skaters in action. What equipment is needed and used in Speed Skating? Skaters may wear roller skates, roller blades or specialist inline skates for speed skating. Clothing should be comfortable to allow easy movement of arms and legs, and helmets are a must. Many skaters new to the sport will also wear wrist guards or cycling gloves and kneepads to prevent injury from falls. What skating skills are learned for Speed Skating? To be a successful speed skater, skills in cornering, crossing, using edges and stopping without brakes or toe stops have to be learned and practised. Learning to skate with others in packs and effective use of drafting and slip streaming come with practise also and are an integral part of speed skating. Once a skater's speed skills are better developed, the or she may join relay teams where relay racing, involving short fast sprints, and strategic use of each skater in a team of 3or 4 ensures more enjoyment of this branch of the sport. Any training session involves pack skating practice. Is Speed Skating an exciting spectator sport? Yes. Races can be time trials, when each skater is pitted against the clock - these are interesting when spectators are keeping a track of the competing skaters' times. However, more excitement comes from the sprints of 500m -1000m when split second timing can make the difference between a win and a loss. Over the longer distances, watching the race tactics and strategies used by the more experienced skaters can make for genuine spectator enjoyment. Want to learn more about Speed Skating? Contact Speed Skating Vice President speedvp@iprimus.com.au Contact Speed Skating Coach link Mark Coddington inlinesk8er@hotmail.com