Speed Skate PEI aims to recruit more children to sport

Speed Skate PEI organizers are thinking ahead to the 2023 Canada Winter Games set to be held in P.E.I.and hope more children will take up the sport.

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The organization held a free learn to speed skate session Sunday in Summerside, aimed at introducing children from western P.E.I. to speed skating.

"If youth are interested in attending [Canada Winter Games] and being a part of it, now is really a great time to get involved and start the sport," said Dawn Binns, a communications volunteer with Speed Skate PEI.

Beyond Charlottetown

The skating club operates out of Charlottetown, but Binns said there are skaters who travel from across the island to participate.

We want to go out, we want to introduce the sport to other communities.-Dawn Binns

The session in Summerside was held to getmore children from outside of Charlottetown interested in the sport.

"We have skaters from Souris to Murray River to Kensington, and have heard expression [of interest] in other places. So, you know, we want to go out, we want to introduce the sport to other communities and if interest arises there we could certainly looking at starting some activities in that community," said Binns.

'Get them off and running'

Binns said Speed Skate PEI would look into starting another club outside of Charlottetown if there was enough interest.

"It can take a very small handful of committed parents or volunteers to see it up and running," said Binns. "Speed Skate PEI has committed to supporting any new groups that are in other communities. We have equipment that we can provide to that group so that really can get them off and running."

The introductory session was for childrenages sevenand up who already know how to skate, but are new to speed skating. They had the chance to try out speed skates with long blades and do some basic drills.

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