Our Programs & Fees
The Iqaluit Speed Skating Club teaches short track speed skating. We have three programs based on age, plus a competitive program where our skaters represent Nunavut in the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games.
Program Summary
Northwestel First & Fast Strides
Ages 4+ and must be able to skate a little and get up if they fall
Thursdays 5:30 – 7 PM
Saturdays 9:30 – 11 AM
$265 on registration
$50 on equipment pick-up
Other equipment may be required
Developmental
Ages 10+ and must have completed one season in First & Fast Strides
Mondays 5:30 – 7 PM (with Advanced)
Thursdays 4:30 – 6 PM (with Advanced)
Saturdays 8:30 – 10 AM (with Advanced)
$465
Advanced
Ages 12+ and must have completed one season in Developmental
Monday 4:30 – 7 PM
Thursday 4:30 – 6 PM (with Developmental)
Saturday 7:30 – 10 AM
Sunday 4 – 5 PM dryland
5-day Nagano camp TBA in March
$465
These times allow half an hour to get your gear on and put out the mats. Ice times start half an hour later.
If your coach hasn’t confirmed your child’s eligibility for Developmental or Advanced, ask before registering. Not all fees can be reimbursed.
All skaters use equipment which is considered consumable: guards, gloves, and helmets get too small, wear out, and expire. New equipment must be purchased when needed, typically 2-4 years for helmets and 1 year for everything else.
Program Detail
Northwestel First & Fast Strides
For kids ages 4-9 and for first-time speed skaters age 10-12, our Northwestel-sponsored First & Fast Strides program (previously known as Learn to Speed Skate) ensures young skaters and parents begin their speed skating experience in a safe, welcoming, and developmentally-appropriate environment.
Skaters entering this program should already be able to skate forward and get up without assistance if they fall. If a child cannot skate at all, we recommend registering for the first year of the Ookpik Skate program with the Iqaluit Skating Club. This can also be assessed by our coaches prior to registering.
We follow the general curriculum and assessment criteria of the First & Fast Strides program developed by Speed Skating Canada.
The lessons for this program are:
- Thursday nights from 7:00 PM to 7:50 PM, and
- Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to 10:50 AM.
Parents of First & Fast Strides skaters are expected to stay for the entire lesson in case their child needs help off the ice, and to help put away our mats for the last 15 minutes of the lesson. Your younger children are not expected to help with the mats – we depend on you!
Base costs:
- $200 club membership
- $0 NSSA membership
- $15 SSC membership
- $50 equipment rental (skin suit, skates, skate guards)
- $25 neck guard
- $25 ankle guards
Total: $265 at registration and $50 at equipment pickup.
Other equipment costs:
- $150 helmet
- $50 gloves
Developmental
For skaters age 10 and up who have completed at least one season in First & Fast Strides, our Development program helps young skaters enhance their short track speed skating skills, learn to work together as a team, and prepare for structured events and competitions.
The lessons for this program are:
- Monday nights from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM,
- Thursday nights from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and
- Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
A speed skating helmet with the ASTM F1849 rating is required for this program. If your child used a hockey helmet in the First & Fast Strides program, they will need a new one.
Developmental skaters with the experience to do so are expected to stay for some First & Fast Strides lessons to help the younger kids learn, and to help with mats.
Parents of Developmental skaters are not expected to stay for the lesson, but are expected to come back in time to help with mats.
Base costs:
- $400 club membership
- $0 NSSA membership
- $15 SSC membership
- $50 equipment rental (skin suit, skates, skate guards)
Total: $465 at registration.
Other equipment costs:
- $150 helmet
- $50 gloves
- $25 neck guard
- $25 ankle guards
Advanced
For skaters age 12 and up who have completed at least one season in First & Fast Strides or Developmental, our Advanced program is for skaters who want to go fast! Advanced skaters focus on technique, get an extra off-ice dryland training session each week, are invited to join our 6-day Nagano boot camp for intensive training by professional trainers and former Olympians, and have the opportunity to travel out of the territory to compete with skaters from other clubs.
The lessons for this program are:
- Monday nights from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM,
- Thursday nights from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM,
- Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and
- Dryland on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Advanced skaters are expected to regularly help younger skaters learn and improve in our First & Fast Strides program, and to help with mats.
Parents of Advanced skaters are expected to come early to help set up the mats, including at 4:30 PM on Monday and Thursday if possible, and to help in other capacities as they are able.
Base costs:
- $400 club membership
- $0 NSSA membership
- $15 SSC membership
- $50 equipment rental (skin suit, skates, skate guards)
Total: $465 at registration.
Other equipment costs:
- $150 helmet
- $50 gloves
- $25 neck guard
- $25 ankle guards
Elite
Advanced skaters who meet the age requirements (they must turn 12 before December 31) and achieve the best qualification times will be invited to join our Elite program, where they have the unique opportunity to represent Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games or Canada Winter Games.
This is a competitive program – please understand that not everyone will qualify.
Elite skaters must attend all training sessions, including those scheduled for their school holidays (in particular, our Nagano boot camp), our territorials competition, and must travel out of the territory to compete with other clubs in qualifier events.
$65 to upgrade your SSC membership from Club Athlete to National Athlete.
$80 if you are not already registered as a Club Athlete.