 | ||||
Message from Coach Oly
August 18, 2007
Dear Skaters:
There are some exciting things to
announce for the upcoming 2007 –
2008 Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating
season. Below are just a few that I
want to be sure to convey:
SKATE and UNIFORM EXCHANGE: We will be having a skate and uniform exchange on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. followed by practice on rink A from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
FIRST PRACTICE: The club’s first practice will be Wednesday, September 5, 2007, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on rink C at the Plymouth Ice Center (PIC).
SEPTEMBER ICE: During September, we will have ice scheduled on various dates and times. Check the calendar.
GMSA CAMP AT PIC: Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association (GMSA) will be hosting a camp at PIC. The camp will be September 22nd and 23rd at the Plymouth Ice Center.
GMSA MEET: There will be a GMSA meet at PIC October 6, 2007. Check the calendar for more details. Volunteers are needed. No experience necessary.
ICE TIME: Starting October 3rd, we will be having regular ice time on rink A on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. These dates and times will run through March 2008.
COACHING: Starting in November, I will be coaching long track over at the Roseville Oval. During the November, December, and January months, the head coach on Sunday nights will be Matt Vra. Matt was a former short AND long track U.S. Speedskating member and is a very welcome asset to our club!
The Wednesday nights will be covered by other adult speedskaters within our club. I will cover the ‘true’ short track season, which is the fall and late winter. We want to continue our club’s season of short track through the long track season (November, December, January) during my absence in order to have the very best short track skaters.
SAFETY WAIVER: Everyone will need to sign a waiver before allowed on the ice. Everyone will be required to wear all safety equipment at all practices before being allowed on the ice. Because of the large number of skaters, we will also do a review of the safety rules at several of our first few practices.
SKATE RENTAL: Because of the anticipated increase in membership, I want to encourage skaters, who have been members for at least one year, to purchase their own skates rather than using club skates. We need to have skates available for new skaters to try out. The skate exchange would be an excellent opportunity to acquire skates at an affordable cost. See our website for other recommended sources for skating equipment. If you have not done so, please return all rentals to me on or before the first skating session. We need these skates for our first practice.
U. S. SPEEDSKATING BADGE PROGRAM: Our club is beginning a new motivational program that is geared to move skaters through various skills. There are six levels in the U. S. Speedskating badge program, and after successful testing at each level, skaters are rewarded with badges that they can wear on their uniforms or jackets. This is a highly motivational program designed to improve individual performance. I am excited to start this new program.
Thank you to all. I look forward to another fantastic season.
Greg Oly
Try speedskating!
Come to one of our practices at the Plymouth Ice Center and try speedskating! Your first practice is free. We have a limited number of skates to try or you can use a pair of hockey or figure skates. Here's our practice schedule:
When you come to practice, please bring a signed waiver with you (see below).
Ready to join? You'll need to complete an application and waiver. Please submit them with your membership fee and ice dues (an address is on the application).
PWSC Winter 07/08 (avail. Nov. 07)
You may also join...
What to wear? See our Gear page.
About our coaches...
The Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club enjoys an experienced, all-volunteer coaching staff. Our head coach is Greg Oly, a seven-time national long track champion who recently placed fifth in the world at the Seniors' International Speed Skating Games in Quebec.
