Programs
*Please note the information below is for the 2018-2019 season. We are currently working on getting this updated for the 2019-2020 season. Please check back shortly.
ESSA is offering the following programs for the 2018-2019 season.
Returning athletes will receive an email indicating the appropriate program.
New athletes should register based on the descriptions below or contact the head coach if you are unsure which program is appropriate.
ESSA will be introducing Stage 1 and Stage 2 levels for our Novice and Intermediate groups this season and splitting our Advanced program into T2T and Junior/Senior groups. This is to help make transitioning between levels easier and less intimidating for our skaters.
Group placement and assessment will be ongoing throughout the season.
All group assignments and changes are subject to coach approval and may account for group dynamics and/or further technical factors not outlined in the table below.
| Program | Description | Quantitative Standard | Qualitative Standard (including all criteria of preceding groups) | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNdamentals | Program focuses on the development of skating skills and basic speed skating technique. Games and fun races are are used to develop and reinforce speed and skill. 1-2 sessions per week. | Skaters age 8 and under that have not been promoted to Novice Stage 1 | Skaters should be able to stand up themselves after falling, and push themselves forward unassisted on skates. | Competition is not necessary at this level. Skaters will participate in intra-club fun meets during some regular practice times. Skaters are welcome to participate in local or regional events. |
| Novice Stage 1 | Program focuses on the development of skating skills and basic speed skating technique. Games and fun races are are used to develop and reinforce speed and skill. 2 sessions per week (1 session shared with FUNdamentals, 1 session shared with Novice Stage 2). | Athletes ages 9 years and older (or athletes 8 and under that have been promoted to this group). | Athlete can skate 400m independently. | Skaters will participate in intra-club events during some practices. Skaters are strongly encouraged to participate in ESSA's two hosted events (1 short track, 1 long track). Skaters may choose to compete in regional events. |
| Novice Stage 2 | Continued refinement of speed skating skills including work on flexibility and endurance through games. 2 sessions per week (1 session shared with Novice Stage 1, and one session shared with Intermediate Stage 1) | Athlete consistently skates entire corner with crossovers Athlete skates in basic position for at least 400m | Skaters will participate in intra-club events during some practices. Skaters are strongly encouraged to participate in ESSA's two hosted events (1 short track, 1 long track). Skaters may choose to compete in regional events. |
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| Intermediate Stage 1 | Program focus remains on skill development but athletes are introduced to competition and relays. 3 sessions per week (1 session shared with Novice Stage 2, 2 sessions shared with Intermediate Stage 2) | 55.0 seconds (400m) | Applicable for new athletes transferring from other skating sports (hockey, ringette, figure skating). Athlete pushes to the side consistently Athlete can glide in recovery position between the blue lines (15.24m) Athlete is capable of a standing start | Skaters are strongly encouraged to participate in ESSA's two hosted events (1 short track, 1 long track). Skaters are encouraged to participate in at least 2 other regional events in either discipline. |
| Intermediate Stage 2 | Program focus remains on skill development Athletes continue to develop competition skills and improve endurance. 3 sessions per week (2 sessions shared with Intermediate Stage 1, 1 session shared with Advanced - T2T) | Athlete is capable of weight transfer Athlete skates using speed track consistently Athlete gives and receives correct relay exchanges consistently Athlete skates in an ideal basic position consistently | Skaters are strongly encouraged to participate in ESSA's two hosted events (1 short track, 1 long track). Skaters are encouraged to participate in at least 2 other regional events in either discipline. |
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| Advanced - T2T | Athletes primarily aged 11-14 that compete mostly on the 100m track. Program introduces and refines advanced skating techniques. Skaters train in both long and short track events. 4 sessions per week (1 session shared with Intermediate Stage 2, 3 sessions shared with Advanced Junion/Senior). | 49.0 seconds (400m) | Athlete skates with weight transfer consistently Athlete can hold position gliding on one foot (straights7*) Athlete can maintain an ideal basic position for 1500m | Skaters are strongly encouraged to participate in ESSA's two hosted events (1 short track, 1 long track). Skaters should consult their coach on other regional and national level events that may be appropriate. |
| Advanced - Junior/Senior | Junior and Senior level athletes that are committed to training and competing learn advanced skating techniques, and improving racing strategies and tactics. 4-5 sessions per week (3 sessions shared with Advanced - T2T) | Skaters should consult with their coach for applicable competitions. | ||
| Adult Long Track 1 | New or less experienced adults looking for an introduction to speed skating. 2 sessions per week. | Competition is not expected but skaters are welcome to compete in ESSA's annual long track event. | ||
| Adult Long Track 2 | Experienced adults looking to refine their skills. 2 sessions per week. | Skaters are encouraged to compete in ESSA's annual long track event. Other regional, national, and international events may also be available. |
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| Oval Affiliate | Skaters training at the Oval Program in Calgary that require a club for competition. Note that Affiliate members that have historically skated with ESSA are eligible for funding for certain out of province events. |
*Straights7 is a drill progression in the AASSA 2014 handbook
Preseason Training Times
Preseason runs September 4 – 29 and is included for all Intermediate and Advanced registrants.
| Training Group | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Stage 1 | 20:00 - 21:00 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
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| Intermediate Stage 2 | 20:00 - 21:00 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
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| Advanced T2T | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 21:15 - 22:15 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 19:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
| Advanced Junior/Senior | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 21:15 - 22:15 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 19:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
Short Track Season Training Times
Short track season runs September 30 – November 30, and February 19 – March 23.
*No Indoor Training Oct 7, Nov 11
| Training Group | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNdamentals | 17:30 - 18:30 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:15 - 19:15 Clareview Arena A | |||
| Novice Stage 1 | 19:15 - 20:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:15 - 19:15 Clareview Arena A | |||
| Novice Stage 2 | 19:15 - 20:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:30 - 19:30 Kinsmen Arena A | |||
| Intermediate Stage 1 | 20:15 - 21:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:30 - 19:30 Kinsmen Arena A | 19:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
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| Intermediate Stage 2 | 20:15 - 21:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 20:00 - 21:00 Clareview Arena A | 19:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
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| Advanced T2T | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 20:00 - 21:00 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 20:30 - 21:30 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
| Advanced Junior/Senior | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 21:15 - 22:15 Clareview Arena A | 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 20:30 - 21:30 Clareview Arena A | 06:15 - 07:30 Clareview Arena (Optional) |
Long Track Season Training Times
Long track season runs December 1 – Feb 15.
*No Indoor Training Dec 23 – Jan 2, Jan 4
**Revised Outdoor Schedule Dec 24 – Jan 4 TBD
| Training Group | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNdamentals | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | ||||
| Novice Stage 1 | 19:15 - 20:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | |||
| Novice Stage 2 | 19:15 - 20:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | |||
| Intermediate Stage 1 | 20:15 - 21:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval (LT) | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 06:15 -07:30 Clareview Arena A (Optional) |
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| Intermediate Stage 2 | 20:15 - 21:15 Kinsmen Arena A | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval (LT) | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 06:15 -07:30 Clareview Arena A (Optional) |
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| Advanced T2T | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval (LT) -OR- 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A (ST) | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval (LT) -OR- 18:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A (ST) | 06:15 -07:30 Clareview Arena A (Optional) |
| Advanced Junior/Senior | 18:00 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval | 18:00 - 19:00 Victoria Park Oval (LT) -OR- 18:15 - 19:30 Clareview Arena A (ST) | 19:00 - 20:30 Victoria Park Oval (LT) -OR- 18:15 - 20:15 Clareview Arena A (ST) | 06:15 -07:30 Clareview Arena A (Optional) |
| Adult 1 Long Track | 20:00 - 21:00 Victoria Park Oval | 20:00 - 21:00 Victoria Park Oval | ||||
| Adult 2 Long Track | 20:00 - 21:00 Victoria Park Oval | 20:00 - 21:00 Victoria Park Oval |
Fees
*Note that first half skaters pay only the difference between the half season and full season fee when registering for the second half.
**Need financial assistance? Please refer to our KidSport policy.
***See our Refund policy with respect to registration fees.
| Training Group | Registration Half Season (Oct - Dec) or (Jan - Mar) | Registration Full Season | Skate Rentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUNdamentals | $175 - twice per week $125 - once per week | $300 - twice per week $200 - once per week | $100 full season short track $50 - half season short track |
| Novice Stage 1 | $220 | $390 | $100 full season short track $50 - half season short track |
| Novice Stage 2 | $220 | $390 | $100 full season short track $50 - half season short track |
| Intermediate Stage 1 | N/A | $750 | $150 full season short track |
| Intermediate Stage 2 | N/A | $750 | $150 full season short track $250 full season short track & long track $125 long track only |
| Advanced T2T | N/A | $1050 | $150 full season short track $250 full season short track & long track $125 long track only |
| Advanced Junior/Senior | N/A | $1050 | $150 full season short track $250 full season short track & long track $125 long track only |
| Adult 1 Long Track | N/A | $275 | $75 |
| Adult 2 Long Track | N/A | $275 | $75 |
| Oval Affiliate | $450 |