After over 50 years on the ice, the Mission Racers Speed Skating Club is hoping to accelerate registration.
“Overall, [we’re] really hoping to promote awareness within the community and hopefully get some kids to join,” Mission Racers president Tara Calder said.
Calder was named president of the Mission Racers Speed Skating Club in May and has been around the rink since her daughter joined five years ago.
Now entering its 51st season, she says Mission Speed Skating Club has a strong history with an array of skaters competing at high levels.
During the first decade, roughly 50 kids were signed up with the club yearly.
“I’m not sure why there seems to be a disconnect now,” Calder said.
At this point in the season, the club has 12 kids signed up. The goal for registration in the future would be at least 40 participants.
“Looking at other clubs in the region – Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond – they’re massive clubs with 70 skaters, plus a waitlist,” Calder said. “I think that Mission could become a rival for that.”
Calder says awareness is crucial to drive registration.
“Usually, when I mention to people how involved my family is with speed skating, people don’t even know Mission has a team. Which is unfortunate, because it’s really accessible for all kids,” she said.
The club features two longtime coaches who are able to mentor higher-level kids as well as beginners. Bruce Wenting and his daughter Kathleen Wenting have been with the club for many years and Calder says they’re amazing coaches.
“A lot of people have this idea that you need to be a skater to join but that’s not the case at all. We’ll take anybody and if you’ve never had skates on, you can join and learn to skate on speed skates,” Calder said.
Speed skating is as competitive as the athlete wants to make it. Competitions focus less on winning and more on self-improvement and personal bests.
“We have a lot of kids who come and they just want to make friends, skate, and be fit. We also have skaters who are going to be competing every other weekend,” Calder said.
The Racers will host an open house at Mission Leisure Centre on Sept. 21 to give the public a chance to give skating a try.
Registration for the season is available online at missionspeedskating.com.