Your first meet.
In speed skating, competitions are called meets. Here is what happens on race day and what to bring to your first one.
Competitions
Meets, across Ontario.
Meets are hosted by different clubs around Ontario throughout the season, and Hamilton Speed Skating Club usually hosts a few of its own each year. There are three types of competitions in Ontario for short track speed skating.
Regional Series
Grouped by age, typically for skaters aged 6 to 8. Newer skaters are welcome too, and there are often plenty of older skaters (9 to 13) learning the ropes and having a lot of fun doing it. Meets are about half a day in length; Hamilton Speed Skating Club is in the OSS Western region.
Provincial Series
Typically skaters aged 9 and up, grouped together according to ability. Meets are usually one day in length. Qualification for Provincial championships is based on participation in these meets.
Elite Series
Skaters must reach a certain time standard to attend elite competitions. Skaters age 13 and up (as of July 1) are placed in groups according to age and gender. Elite series meets are two-day events.
A coach will help place your skater in the right series. Just ask.
Race categories
How age categories work.
Speed-skating competition categories use gender and a skater’s age as of June 30. Where your skater lands at the cut-off sets their race category for the whole season.
A girl turning 9 on February 5 ranks in “Girls 9”.
A boy turning 9 on July 3 ranks in “Boys 8”. He was still 8 on June 30.
On the day
Attending your first meet.
Don’t stress about your first meet. Read through what’s below, ask anyone at the club if something’s unclear, and remember that everyone here has been new before.
Before you go
Ahead of any meet, the hosting club distributes a detailed agenda and information package, including which group your skater is assigned to (for example Alpha, Bravo, Charlie).
When you arrive
Plan to arrive at the arena in enough time to find parking, find your way into the facility, find our club’s change room, and change into skating gear.
Our change room
We are all housed in the same change room together, so look for the HAMILTON SPEED SKATING CLUB signs. You can leave your equipment and belongings there. While watching the races, our club often sits together so experienced parents and guardians can help newer folks figure out the schedule and timing for changing back into skates.
Warm-up
There is typically a warm-up for each group of skaters: a chance to get out, see the new rink, and skate a few laps before racing starts.
Packing
Packing for a meet.
It is strongly recommended that you pack an extra set of racing clothes for your skater. If they fall and the track is wet, they will be very wet. Just in case, throw an extra pair of underwear, socks, shirt, pants, and sweater into their bag. A hair dryer is also very helpful to dry clothing. If you do not have one, please ask one of the other parents (it is likely they have one).
You will need all of your regular speed skating safety equipment. Skaters will be checked for all appropriate safety equipment and will not be able to skate if equipment is missing. Skaters will not be allowed to return to their change room to get missing equipment at the time of their race.
Kids usually graze throughout the day, so lots of smaller, healthy snack-style foods are a good idea. Do not forget a water bottle.
Being in the arena all day can be cold. Dress in layers. Pack a hat and mitts. It is always easier to take clothing off if you are too hot.
Checklist
Things to pack for a meet.
A full packing list for meet day.
Equipment
- Ankle guards
- Drying cloth
- Gloves
- Goggles / Glasses
- Glasses strap (mandatory)
- Helmet
- Helmet cover
- Knee pads
- Neck guard
- Pants ×2
- Shin pads
- Shirts ×2
- Skates
- Skate guards (soft and hard)
- Socks ×2
- Sweater / Jacket ×2
- Underwear ×2
- Water bottle
Food and Related
- Breakfast entrée
- Chip clips
- Fruit
- Juice / water
- Lunch entrée
- Napkins
- Snacks
- Veggies
Activities
- Books
- Cards / Games
- Paper
- Pencils
Miscellaneous
- Blanket
- Cash (for snacks, hot drinks, vendors, etc.)
- Directions to the meet
- Gloves / mittens
- Hair dryer
- Hats
- Meet schedule
- Registration information (if required)
Still have questions?
Have a look at our FAQ.
See the Schedule for upcoming meets, and the Equipment Guide for the full safety-gear list. If your question isn’t in the FAQ, email us from the FAQ page.