Notice of events

Years active and or planed:

Planed events for 2021
Events during 2020,
Past events in 2019

Season officially opens on the 3rd week of March and ends on the last week of November but there are always events all year.

Frequency of events

Default number of events per week is 1, on Tuesday nights
Summer events range from 1 to 3, meaning 1 long trail and 1 or 2 fixed locations for skill practice.
Some events are often planned among the skaters of a previous event.
Planned events that are posted may change or be replaced due to regular skaters group agreements.

Event dates

Unless exceptions, events open automatically 1 week prior to the date and are then announced.
Any event can change date, location and type prior to announcement.
Events close the RSVP 2 to 3 hours prior to announced time to allow last unforeseen minute changes.
Any event changes after announcement will have a second announcement by email.
There are events that will specifically be done online and everyone should attend.
Typically there are no repeated locations for an event, unless the location is exceptional.

Weather conditions

Strong wind: Speedy does not organize events with winds above 35 km.
If it rains: Speedy does not do events on wet surfaces and the event will change the date. (see frequency of events).
If it snows: Speedy may organize inline skating events if the skating area is clear of snow and or slush.
During winter and off inline skating season any ice skating events organized by Speedy will be a fluke.

Skill requirements

At all times, included but not limited to skill, the skater must to comply with agreement waiver and release of liability.

On trail events the skater is expected to be able to maintain a specified average speed, to keep up with the group and not be left behind.
Typically an intermediate skater is expected to maintain a speed above 10 km/h, ranging from 10 km/h to 15 km/h and the advanced skater above 15 km/h.
Speed skaters are expected to maintain and go above 15 km/h. Ideally maintaining an average of 20 km/h.

Type of events

In order to organize a pleasant skating experience for all skaters, events will have 4 categories for which you must access your skill level here.

Trails

Trail events longer than 5 km are for intermediate and above levels and no less than 80 mm wheels.
Long marathons above 30 km may be exclusively for 100 mm wheels and above. (Recommended)
Event length increases adding more Km’s as we progress throughout the year and build endurance.
In order to be able to complete longer and harder trails, it is highly recommended that the skater attend smaller trails leading to the longer ones.

Fixed location

All skill levels are welcome on fixed event locations.
Perfect for first timers to show up and introduce themselves.
Fixed event locations are for practice and for everyone, starting by beginners.
Fixed event locations are perfect to build skill and endurance to apply on the long trails during the good season. (Recommended)
Slalom events will occur on fixed locations and for wheels no bigger than 90 mm due to maneuverability limitations.
Some events may occur on city hockey rinks which have rules and personal protective equipment is mandatory.

Skate parks

Mandatory personal protective equipment is required as per skate park requirements.
Aggressive skating sessions are best enjoyed with small wheels, but the final decision is yours.
Given that skate parks tend to be very busy with skateboarders during the good season, inline skating events tend to occur when it get less busy. Typically these are done before and or after summer.

Online events

Online events happen for solo practice of skills on your on time and location.
These events will prepare the skater for trails, slalom, city skating, freestyle, speed and aggressive skating.
Those who practice based on these events, gain an edge in performance in regards to the group.

Equipment

Although the size of the wheel and frame is not a definite marker for skill and competence, it does play a fundamental roll in the execution of the skater's technique in the various disciplines and styles.

Small wheels vs Big Wheels

Tools

Always bring a Torx hex Allen key for your axels and one spare axel.

Speed and distance

For example, for speed skating and long distance, a stronger skater on small wheels may be faster than a weaker skater on big wheels but the rest will be determined by the endurance of the skater and ability to keep the push and stride more frequently and for longer periods of time.

Simply put, in order for a small wheel maintain the same speed as a bigger wheel, a smaller wheel needs do more spin rotations than a bigger wheel. The skater's leg push, muscle and endurance will determine the amount of spin rotations that the skater will be able to produce.

Urban/City

Similar to speed and distance characteristics.

Slalom

Slalom discipline is best executed with a wheel size between 72 mm and 80 mm as well as a rockered frame. The wheel size, setup and frame will limit the skater performance for long distance and speed. In similar fashion the bigger the wheel and frame base, the harder it is to do slalom tricks.

Aggressive

Aggressive skating is best done with smaller wheels than those used for slalom. The balance between hardness and grip is the key to an optimum skate

wheel. Aggressive skate wheels are usually between 54 and 72 mm, while anti-rocker wheels are between 40 and 47 mm.

Wheel hardness

The softer the wheel is, the more will stick to the ground due to friction. More friction equals to slower speed.
The harder the wheel is, the less it will stick to the ground. Less stickiness equals to more speed but also more sliding.
Recommended wheel hardness for the average skater with a body weight between 140 lbs and 200 lbs is 85A for most activities other than aggressive skating.

Links

Subscribe to a feed of the bladers calendar: