Ice skaters who like speed, now have a club to join.
This as short-track speed skating professional Victor Vezi opened his short-track speed skating club at Northgate Ice Rink on 8 April.
Young children excitedly poured into the rink to join the the club, which is aptly named Northgate Speed Skating Club.
South-African born Canadian speed skater Jana de Waal, and South African Speed Skating Association president James Stuthridge, were also present to teach speed skating techniques.
In their first lesson, the children learned how to crouch low while skating for better aerodynamics, and thrust their arms forward to maintain momentum.
They also learned how to zigzag through obstacles.
“There is long-track and short-track speed skating,” explained Vezi, who competed in the World Winter Masters Games in Canada in February. “It is exactly like athletics. It is racing, and there are also relays.”
The tracks in short-track speed skating are 111m long, while tracks in long-track speed skating are 400m, 1 000m or 1 500m long. “I like speed skating because I like going fast,” said Daniel Sibusiso (8). Shekinah Phiri (11) said, “I like this for my health. It gives you fitness.”
Stuthridge said that the opening of the club would help keep children off the streets. “We have had street kids represent South Africa in speed skating around the world,” he added. “The possibilities are there.”
Vezi said that he opened the club to inspire children to believe that they can do anything in life. “Our long-term goal is to get one kid to the Winter Olympics,” he concluded. The rink’s manager Freedom Phakathi wished Vezi and his club well. The club will have weekly lessons. If you wish to join, send an email to Vezi.
Details: Victor Vezi mnqobi@yahoo.com or Northgate Ice Rink 011 794 8706.
