Your first step on the ice starts here.
Speed skating is exciting, fast, and fun — and you don’t need prior experience to join us!
We provide all equipment for our Learn to Skate sessions, and skates for all skaters.
For skaters who register for a full season, some equipment is required for safety and performance:
- Helmet (hockey and some bike helmets work)
- Knee pads (volleyball style)
- Shin guards (soccer shin guards are perfect)
- Neck guard (bib style hockey)
- Cut‑proof gloves
If you’re unsure what to get, ask! We’re always happy to help you find the right gear.
Speed Skates: What Makes Them Different?
Speed skates are designed for speed and efficiency, not stopping or jumping like hockey or figure skates. They have long, flat blades and low-cut boots worn laced very tight so the foot does not move inside the boot.
The blades are adjustable and mounted slightly off-centre, allowing skaters to lean into corners without the edge of their foot touching the ice. As skaters get faster the blade is adjusted as they lean more into the corners.
Speed skaters never walk on their blades off the ice, as even a few steps can damage the edges and slow them down. After every practice, blades should be dried and protected with covers to prevent rust. Blades are sharpened by hand using a jig to keep them perfectly flat and fast.
Club-owned skates are included with registration. We maintain an inventory of sizes and ensure skaters always have properly fitting skates, replacing them as they grow throughout the season.
Short Track vs. Long Track: What’s the Difference?
Short Track Speed Skating
Short track speed skating is the discipline offered at Mission Racers. It takes place inside a standard ice rink on a 111-metre track, or 100 metres for youth skaters under 14. Races are fast-paced and exciting, with multiple skaters competing together, navigating tight turns and quick accelerations.
Short track skates have shorter blades and higher-cut boots designed for control and agility, especially through corners. Because skaters race close together, safety equipment such as helmets, pads, neck guards, and cut-resistant gloves is required.
Short track is social, dynamic, and fun, and it builds strong skating skills, confidence, and race awareness for skaters of all ages.
Long Track Speed Skating
Long track speed skating takes place on a 400-metre oval, similar in size to an outdoor running track. Skaters compete in several different race formats, including Olympic-style paired races against the clock, team pursuit events, and mass start races where multiple skaters race together.
Long track emphasizes smooth technique, endurance, and sustained speed. Skaters wear longer blades with a hinged “clap” mechanism, allowing the blade to stay on the ice longer for powerful, efficient strides.
While Mission does not have a long track facility, we proudly support Mission Racers athletes who travel to Fort St. John, Calgary, and even as far as Quebec City to train and compete in long track events.