Speed Skate Nova Scotia Long Track Camp

Speed Skate Nova Scotia

Long Track Camp

December 28-30, 2016

Halifax Emera Oval

Kick off the Long Track season or explore more speed skating by immersing in three days of technical instruction on Halifax’s Emera Oval. Programs are targeted to competitive, developmental, and recreational skaters.

Registration information: 17-ssns-long-track-camp-registration-revised.

Nova Scotia Speed Skater Flourishes in Calgary

Two months ago 18-year old Cooper Emin moved west from Cole Harbour to train in the Olympic Oval Speed Skating program and study Environmental Science at the University of Calgary. After racing this past weekend at the Oval International Competition in Calgary he now holds the fastest 500m time skated by a Canadian Junior male this season with a clocking of 0:36.95.

After spending the past four seasons honing his skills on the Halifax Emera Oval and his graduation from Auburn Drive High School Emin made the decision to move west to further his athletic and academic pursuits.

Emin has settled into his new training and school routine in Calgary. He attributes his early season success to training and support over the summer with the Atlantic Long Track Program and the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, and the additional skating opportunities on the Oval.

“I came here in pretty good shape. It’s the ice time. It’s just being able to get on the ice. It’s the same stuff (on ice) we did at home except I’m able to do more of it.”

He achieved the season best junior time in his second 500m race of the weekend after initially setting a personal best of 0:37.13 in his first 500m.

“I knew the weekend would go okay. My training on Thursday was excellent and my coach thought I could go sub 0:37.00.” said Emin.

In addition to setting the fastest 500m time by a Canadian junior male this season he also set new personal bests in the 1000m (1:12.92) and 1500m (1:52.06), which stand as the second and third fastest Canadian Junior times in those distances for the season.

Of his new achievements Emin notes “it is pretty cool. It is a steppingstone to my ultimate goal of the Junior World Championships this season.”

Last season Emin placed 8^th overall at the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships in Winnipeg. This year he is looking for a top-four ranking at the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships in Saskatoon on January 27-29, 2017. If he does he can be one of four skaters selected to represent Canada at the Junior World Championships in Helsinki Finland on February 17-19, 2017.

Todd Landon, Long Track Coach with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, is also optimistic about Emin’s result and what that means for developing speed skater in Atlantic Canada.

“It has been a pleasure seeing Cooper continue to develop after the hard work he has put in over the past 4 years and the successes he has already accomplished. Having a skater from the region attain the level of Junior Worlds is a great achievement and provides a path for others to follow.”

Emin’s next competitions will be Canada Cup #1 in Quebec City on December 9-11, 2016, and Canada Cup #2 in Calgary on January 3-6, 2017 before the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships.

Penny Earned Penny Compounded

Young athletes arrive at practice for an early season practice focusing on skill acquisition. However during the course of the practice the young athletes do not take the basic drills serious. Coaches may be familiar and have been frustrated with this scenario. These athletes are missing out on the opportunity to improve because they fail to grasp the concept of compounding.

A parable about compounding poses the question: would you rather receive $1 million today or have a penny today and double the amount every day for 30 days? Invariably most people choose to take the $1 million. They fail to calculate the long-term benefit of compounding the penny.

Typically the parable is used to demonstrate the rewards of financial investment but has relevance to skill investment in sport too. For sport the parable could be rephrased: would you rather have a championship today or improve a new skill today and double that improvement every day for 30 days?

While taking the $1 million or championship today may be appealing that outcome is finite and short-term. Choosing short-term outcomes shortchanges the opportunity for continued performance and additional outcomes.

Choosing the penny or basic skill today may not be as appealing for the short-term but by being patient with the process over the long-term can accomplish several fruitful outcomes.

Current Self

Top Performers

Young athletes typically don’t grasp compounding because they don’t understand the steps required to improve from their current self to their ideal self. From experience they know their current capabilities and they know the image of the top performers representing the outcome they would like. Through lack of experience they don’t know the long-term path required to get from their current to their ideal self.

Through lack of experience what the young athletes presented above don’t understand is that every time top performers are presented with an opportunity to earn a new penny they take it. Those top performers became and remain top performers because they have and will take advantage of the opportunity to earn and compound every new penny they can. The young athletes above may have felt that they had previously earned a penny for that drill and so slacked off. By doing so they shortchange themselves on the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly benefits of earning new pennies to compound.

The idea of compounding was presented to Atlantic Long Track athletes last week by Bryce Tully, Mental Performance Consultant with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic. His lesson was that athletes tend to think of outcome terms, but they operate best in process terms. Most of the athletes motivation and drive will come from proof of daily progress, which is the foundation of confidence.

To begin the process of compounding Bryce asked the athletes to identify one thing they would like to be better at by the end of one month. He had the athletes identify 3-4 simple activities that they could do per week that would contribute to improvement. The athletes then decided how many times per week they would perform those activities. The athletes chose a technical element to improve through activities that ranged from drills to video review performed 2-4 times per week. Weekly debriefings of the activities has assured a compounding effect by monitoring compliance and tweaking activities as required.

The interim results of the compounding exercise has so far garnered positive results. The athletes have embraced the exercise and chronic technical errors are diminishing, and so they are beginning to see the value of earning a penny.

Atlantic Long Track Camp – Calgary

INFORMATION

• A week of summer training on the Calgary Oval to begin to whet your long track appetite.
• The camp will include 8 ice sessions on the Calgary Oval, 2 sessions on the Calgary Velodrome, plus dryland and class sessions.
• Skaters will need to be 14 years of age and meet applicable standards to participate. Please inquire about the standards.
• Deadline for registration is Friday July 24^th. Please make payment to “Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic” or “CSCA”.

REGISTRATION FORM

15 ALTP Summer Camp Calgary

COACHES

Todd Landon Canadian Sport Center Atlantic Long Track Coach

Carolyn Jarock Speed Skate Nova Scotia 2015 CWG Long Track Coach

COACH’S TRAVEL

• Todd Landon, the Atlantic Long Track Coach, will be travelling from Montreal to Calgary in the evening on Sunday August 16.
• Please inquire to tlandon(at)speedskating.ca or 902-210-1600 for the coach’s specific travel details and try to coordinate accordingly.
• Please include your own travel itinerary with your registration information

ACCOMMODATIONS

• Group accommodations have been booked in a home that sleeps 10 from August 16-21. Meals and snacks for the week will be coordinated in the home. This accommodation option is limited to the first 8 registrants with priority to Atlantic Long Track skaters.
• Please identify your accommodation needs by Friday July 24^th with along with your registration.
• Skaters may choose to utilize their own accommodation resources.

TRANSPORTATION IN CALGARY

• Athletes will be responsible for their own travel in Calgary.
• The group accommodation is within a 20 minute walk to the Oval and is located near a C-Train stop and shopping.
• Coaches will have access to a vehicle for grocery shopping and emergency purposes.

For information:

• Atlantic Long Track Coach: Todd Landon
• E-mail: tlandon(at)speedskating.ca
• Phone: 902-210-1600
• Fax: 902-425-5928

Atlantic Long Track Summer Day Camps

THE ATLANTIC LONG TRACK SUMMER DAY CAMPS:

• 3 individual Saturdays of dryland and ice instruction to prepare for the upcoming skating season.
• $50.00 per session discounted when registering for multiple sessions.
• Each day will feature a 60-minute class session, 90-minute dryland session, and a 110-minute ice session.
• Dryland and ice instruction will be developmentally appropriate for skaters in the Training-to-Train (11-15 years) and Learning-to-Compete (15-21 years) stages.

REGISTRATION FORM:

15 ALTP Summer Day Camps

VENUES:

• Canada Games Centre (CGC) – 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax
• Margaret’s Centre (SMC) – 12 Westwood Boulevard, Upper Tantallon

DATES AND SCHEDULE:

	Class Topic 9:30am-10:30am CGC	Dryland Objective 10:30am-12:00pm CGC	Ice Objective 1:00pm-2:50pm SMC
July 25	Setting Daily Training Goals	Balance and Body Position	Straight Technique
August 8	Planning for Nutrition	Body Position and Corners	Corner Technique
August 29	Video Analysis	Reaction and Speed	Start Technique

FEES:

• $50 when registering for 1 day
• $90 when registering for 2 days
• $120 when registering for all 3 days

REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

• Wednesday July 15^th for the full 3 sessions or single sessions.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

• Skaters should wear equipment compliant with Speed Skating Canada’s rules D3-100 for Short Track Competition.
  • Please inquire to tlandon@speedskating.ca if there are questions.

INFORMATION:

Todd Landon, Long Track Coach

cell: 902-210-1600

e-mail: tlandon(at)speedskating.ca

fax: 902-425-5928

2014 Long Track Camps in Quebec City

The Atlantic Long Track Program is coordinating two long track camps on the Quebec City Oval. The first camp will be Tuesday November 18 to Friday November 21 and conclude with a Quebec sprint competition on November 22-23. The second camp will be Monday December 8 to Thursday December 11 and conclude with a Quebec single distance competition on December 12-14.

2014 Camp #1 – Quebec City 

14 ALTP Camp #1 – Quebec City – Registration

• Date:
  • Training Camp: November 18-21
  • Competition: November 22-23
• Location:
  • Anneau Gaetan-Boucher, Quebec City
• Eligibility:
  • Participants should be 14 year old as of July 1, 2014
• Fees and Registration (includes activity fees, and coaching support for the camp & competition):
  • Atlantic Long Track Program Members = $250.00
  • Non Program Members = $350.00
  • Competition forms and fees are due seperately
• Suggested Accommodations:
  • Hotel Classique, 2815 Laurier Boulevard, Quebec City
  • 4 double queen rooms, equipped with mini-fridge and microwave, have been blocked at a rate of $95.00 per night.
  • Room occupants will be responsible to provide payment to the Hotel upon arrival.
• Food:
  • Participants are responsible for their own meals.
  • A suite with kitchenette has been booked for the coach. Group meals can be coordinated on a cost sharing basis.
• Transportation:
  • Participants are responsible for their own transportation in Quebec City (The Hotel Classique is a 20min walk to the Oval).
• Deadline:
  • Submit registration form and fee, and claim a blocked room by Friday October 31, 2014.

2014 Camp #2 – Quebec City 

14 ALTP Camp #2 – Quebec City – Registration

• Date:
  • Training Camp: December 8-11
  • Competition: November 12-14
• Location:
  • Anneau Gaetan-Boucher, Quebec City
• Eligibility:
  • Participants should be 14 year old as of July 1, 2014
• Fees and Registration (includes activity fees, and coaching support for the camp & competition):
  • Atlantic Long Track Program Members = $275.00
  • Non Program Members = $375.00
  • Competition forms and fees are due seperately
• Suggested Accommodations:
  • Hotel Classique, 2815 Laurier Boulevard, Quebec City
  • 4 double queen rooms, equipped with mini-fridge and microwave, have been blocked at a rate of $95.00 per night.
  • Room occupants will be responsible to provide payment to the Hotel upon arrival.
• Food:
  • Participants are responsible for their own meals.
  • A suite with kitchenette has been booked for the coach. Group meals can be coordinated on a cost sharing basis.
• Transportation:
  • Participants are responsible for their own transportation in Quebec City (The Hotel Classique is a 20min walk to the Oval).
• Deadline:
  • Submit registration form and fee, and claim a blocked room by Friday November 28, 2014.

Information:

• Todd Landon, Long Track Coach
  • tlandon(at)speedskating.ca

2014 Atlantic Long Track Summer Camp

ATLANTIC LONG TRACK SUMMER CAMP

• July 28 – August 1, 2014.
• Limited to 16 participants.
• $600.00 includes program, accommodations, and meals.
• Featuring the Acadia University SkateSim the camp emphasizes developing technique, power, and speed for explosive starts.  Developing speed in the first 40m of a Long Track 500m has been shown to be a good predictor of the final result.
• The SkateSim is a unique skating simulator designed by Acadia University to help skaters achieve increased acceleration and performance on the ice. 
• The camp program combines SkateSim sessions, sprinting sessions, and on and off ice technical sessions. Additional classes and meeting sessions include equipment set-up and maintenance, mental training, and sport nutrition. 
• The small group environment allows for enhanced coaching and the residential nature of the camp provides an opportunity for team spirit and camaraderie.

 VENUE

• Acadia University, Wolfville  NS

ELIGIBILITY

• Skaters should be at least aged 14 on July 1, 2014, have participated in speed skating programs and competition during the 2013-2014 season, and are participating in summer activity through other sport programs or training with their local speed skating club.

SCHEDULE

CAMP FEE

• Camp Program with Accommodations (24hrs/day) = $600.00
• Camp Program (8hrs/day) = $400.00
• Ice Only (4 x 2hrs) = $150.00

INFORMATION

• Todd Landon, Long Track Coach
• Cell: 902-210-1600
• Email: tlandon (at) speedskating.ca
• 14 ALTP Acadia Camp Registration Information

Atlantic Long Track Camp – Information

Notes for this weekend’s Atlantic Long Track Camp:

• It should be a great weekend with almost 70 skaters registered.  Here are some notes of things to know as you prepare for camp.
• 14 Atlantic LT Camp – Info

Updated Schedule:

Check the updated schedule here.

Venues:

• Halifax Emera Oval (Oval) – Halifax Common off of Cogswell Street
• Canada Games Centre (CGC) – 26 Thomas Raddall Drive
• Note: The Camp does not provide transportation between the Halifax Emera Oval and the Canada Games Centre.  Skaters are requested to arrange carpooling between the two venues for programs.
• For a map of the camp venues go here.

Equipment and Clothing:

• Skaters are required to wear equipment compliant with Speed Skating Canada’s rules D3-200, D3-300, and D3-301.  They include:
  • Cut resistant ankle protection – all skaters
  • Eye protection – all skaters
  • Hand protection – all skaters
  • Shin protection – all skaters
  • Head protection – skaters under 15
  • Knee protection – skaters under 15
  • Neck protection – skaters under 15
  • Cut resistant body protection – recommended for all
• Clothing appropriate for skating outdoor in winter weather.
• Clothing appropriate for indoor training activities.

Lunches:

Lunches will be provided to Competitive and Development program participants on Friday and Saturday during activities at the Canada Games Centre.

Weather:

Note that as of writing this note there is a winter storm warning for Thursday.  The main storm event is expected late Thursday into Friday.  “The next storm will have a substantial impact on Atlantic Canada late Thursday into Friday,” says Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham. “More offshore track means that this should just be a snow event.”

Information:

• Todd Landon, Long Track Coach
• cell: 902-210-1600
• e-mail: tlandon@speedskating.ca
• fax: 902-425-5928

Gift ideas for the Speed Skater in Your Life

Now that the calendar flipped and December is upon us it is time to ask; have you decided what to get the speed skater in your life for Christmas?

Aside from the obvious articles of equipment such as helmets, gloves, skates, etc, here is a list of gift ideas to assist a skater’s development away from the ice.  By no means is the list exhaustive.  To compile a larger list skaters and coaches are invited to share their own wish list in the comments section below.

$0 – $25

• Spiral Note Book – Sounds simple but is maybe one of the most effective tools an athlete can have when used as a training log.  Use the log to journal goals and objectives and track progress during practices and competitions through the season.
• Hot Hands – To help extend those training sessions on those cold days out on the Oval. 
• Going for Gold – The Catriona Lemay-Doan biography tracks her career from provincial speed skater in Saskatchewan to repeating as 500m Olympic champion.
• In Pursuit of Excellence – By renowned Canadian Sport Psychologist Terry Orlick, In Pursuit of Excellence is a must have for an aspiring athlete.
• Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell argues that the factors that lead to success are not what we typically think.
• Hacky Sack – Yep, the good old foot bag.  Using a foot bag makes for a fun warm-up that develops agility and coordination and is a great tool to meet and engage with friends at competitions.
• Skipping Rope – There are several benefits to using this old playground staple for warm-up or training.    There are several ropes on the market that advertise as competition or professional ropes but some of the best ropes can just been a length of climbing rope.  About 2m of 8mm or 11mm climbing rope from MEC or another outdoors store works great.
• Cables – This is not something that you will be able to pick up at sports store but rather will be something to be made at home.  About 4m of either seat-belt or nylon strapping, camp webbing, or climbing rope can be sewn or tied into a loop to form the cable.  The cable can then used to perform several technical drills.
• iTunes Gift Card – Us the card to build a motivational soundtrack for training or competition, or use the card to purchase some of the great sport apps available.
  • Coach’s Eye – Instant video analysis and slow-motion review on your mobile device.
  • Ubersense – A personal coach in the palm of your hand.
  • Coach my Video – Anytime, Anywhere Video Analysis & Frame-Capture: it’s never been so easy​.

$25 – $50

• Foam Roller – Think an over-sized pool noodle that is used for self-myofascial release assists with preparation before and recoveryafter a workout.
• Massage Stick – Another great tool for recovery after a workout that should be a staple piece of equipment for many athletes.

$50 – $100

• Sport Watch – A sport watch can come with several bells and whistles but it should really do one thing: tell you how long your workout was from start to finish.  The Timex Triathlon is a good option for a sport watch with its stopwatch and interval timer.  The stopwatch is great for timing runs, bikes, or swims.  The interval timer is useful during sprint or skipping programs because it can be set to beep at the beginning and end of each interval.
• Bike Shoes and Clipless Pedals – Andrew Feenstra, a Cycling coach and proprietor of Cyclesmith in Halifax, advises that “shoes and pedals are important no matter what bike you have”.  The advantages of cycling shoes is that there is no flex so that all of the pressure in the forefoot transfers to the pedal.
• Cycling Computer – A must have for training on a bike.  The computer should tell you three things: how far, how long, and how fast the ride is/was.  Valuable information to be tracked in a journal.

$100 – $500

• Heart Rate Monitor – At a certain level of athletic development tracking heart rate will be a valuable measure when training.  Monitoring heart rate is a very useful indicator of the intensity of the training.  Many Heart Rate monitors come as a feature of a sports watch, or vice versa.

$500+

• Road Bike – Biking in the off-season is a great cross-training tool and becomes bigger part of training as a skater’s development progresses.  Thanks to Andrew Feenstra at Cyclesmith in Halifax here are some things you should consider when looking for and purchasing a bike; as previously tweeted at Atlantic_LT.
  • Girls’ bikes are no longer just boys bikes painted pink. Bikes for women are made with shorter top tube, narrower handlebars, & wider seats.
  • A bike is an investment. First find one that fits you properly & then keep up with its maintenance so that it will last many years.
  • The size, in cm, of the bike is measured from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube.
  • Fit? With seat at proper height & pedal down there should be some knee bend. Too much seat post = too small, Too little post = too big.
  • Fit? Comfortable reach from seat to handle bars. The handle bar width should match the shoulders.
  • Pedals & Shoes? Important no matter what bike you get. Stiff bike shoes allow all of the pressure in the forefoot to transfer to the pedal.
  • Store vs Online purchase? A store can swap parts to fit you properly. Online may require additional expenses to repair & fit for riding.
  • Maintenance? Just like a car a bike should receive a regular tune-up. Eg. the chain will stretch needing replacing after about 3000km.
  • Bike Shop vs Department Store purchase? Bike Shop prices begin at $900 which reflects quality of the components & thus long-term enjoyment.
  • Components? Brakes, shifters, derailers, etc. Shimano’s line of components range from low to high = 2300, Sora, Tiagra, Ultegra.

Again, the list is not exhaustive.  Skaters and coaches are invited to leave their wish list in the comments section to provide others with more ideas.

Happy shopping!

Atlantic Long Track Camp

January 2-5, 2014

Halifax Emera Oval

Back for a second season the Atlantic Long Track Camp offers introduction to skating and training on a long track Oval for skaters and coaches.

Training will take place on both the Halifax Emera Oval and the Canada Games Centre.  The Halifax Emera Oval is located on the Halifax Common off of Cogswell Street.  The Canada Games Centre is located at 26 Thomas Raddall Drive.

Programs are available for Competitive, Developmental, and Recreational skaters.

• Competitive Program: for skaters eligible for the 2015 Canada Winter Games and/or those who compete at national competitions.  7 hours of ice programs plus dryland, yoga, class sessions, lunches, and racing. $90.00
• Development Program: for skaters of all ages and stages.  4.5 hours of ice programs plus dryland, yoga, class sessions, lunches, and racing.  $75.00
• Recreational Program: for skater of all ages and stages. 4.5 hours of ice programs plus yoga, and racing.  $20.00

The camp will conclude with racing on Sunday.  Skaters will be placed into at least 2 developmentally appropriate mass start and/or Olympic Style speed skating races.  Skaters not participating in the camp may register for the races.

Introduction to Competition coaching modules Analyze Performance and Tactics will be offered for interested coaches and skaters.  $25.00 / module

14 Atlantic LT Camp Registration Information

Please submit club/provincial registration list to ALTP by noon Friday December 20^th.

Please remit club/provincial payment, payable to CSCA, at the camp on Friday January 3^rd.

Preferred Accommodations:

• Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
• 1515 South Park Street (at Spring Garden Road)
• A four star historic property located across from the Public Gardens in the heart of Halifax.
• A 5-10 min walk to the Halifax Oval.
• Quote “Atlantic Long Track” for $105 per night rate.
• Reservations: 1-800-565-2020 or ask(at)lordnelsonhotel.com.