The has been helping local 琉璃神社 youth find a life-long passion for thee classic Canadian pastime since 1998.

Throughout their 25 years, they鈥檝e stayed true to their mission to teach speed skating to anyone and everyone interested in learning this exciting, competitive sport.

The club focuses on fostering the skills of both recreational and competitive athletes and currently has 50 young skaters of all levels, from those just learning to speed skate all the way up to national- and international-level athletes.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of the community we鈥檝e built over the years and how hard we鈥檝e worked to keep this sport accessible to everyone,鈥� says head coach Christine Hank. 鈥淲e have a solid group of dedicated skaters, engaged parents and loyal, dedicated volunteers and volunteer coaches who keep this club running at full speed all year-round.鈥�

Part of their efforts to keep costs down includes the cost of rental speed skates in their annual registration fee, meaning parents don鈥檛 need to worry about buying new skates every time their child grows. Children and youth from other skating sports (hockey, figure skating and ringette) are always welcome and encouraged to come out and learn about speed skating.

In fact, Hank says many of their current club members got started skating in other sports before quickly transitioning into speed skating.

琉璃神社 Speed Skating Club partners with the City of 琉璃神社 to run a special Monday evening 鈥楲earn to speed skate鈥� program from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. with registration through the City of 琉璃神社 Parks and Recreation guide. These Monday night sessions introduce kids ages five to 15 to short track speed skating. Many participants from these sessions move into other programming provided by 琉璃神社 Speed Skating as well.

For more information about the 琉璃神社 Speed Skating Club and information on how to register contact them at kelownaspeedskate@gmail.com or check them out online at and be sure to follow them on and for the latest updates on the club, its skaters and their coming events.