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Message from Coach Oly
August 2009
Dear Skaters:
This year promises to be a great year for
Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club, with
a lot of fun, several opportunities to race,
and a new long track program. This is our
9th year, and we have come a long way,
thanks to several volunteers. I am hopeful that this year, an Olympic year, together with our volunteers, we will have our best season ever!
Schedule/Practice Session
Our first practice is September 13th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Ice Center. The practice sessions will be set up different this year, including very little rest times. We will have the outer track working on endurance, intervals, and sprints, with the inner ice set up to work on technique and the badge program, which is a program designed to teach skaters to be proficient on the ice. September ice is more limited, as we do not have three nights per week until October, when we will add Wednesday night practices.
Coaches
This year, the fall short track program will have three coaches. I will remain the head coach, with Eleanor the technical coach, and Becky assisting Eleanor and me. Once the long tract season begins, I will be over at the John Rose Oval coaching our intermediate and advances members. Becky will be available two nights per week, working with the beginners. Sherri has also volunteered to be at the oval one night per week. The short track coaches during this time will be Steve Trynoski and Eleanor. Once the long track season is over, which is in mid-February, I will be back to coach the short track spring program with Eleanor and Becky.
Fees/Payments
The fall and spring program will be divided into two payment structures, allowing members to join one or both programs. All long track members will need to be GMSA members and contract directly with GMSA. There are three plans available through GMSA, namely a one-night per week, half-membership and full membership. There is additional long track information coming this fall. There is also additional information on the GMSA website.
Trial Dates
After our season begin, we will be allowing people to try speedskating the first and third Sunday practices in October. Bring a friend or someone who may be interested in trying this great sport.
New Member Trials
Because new people who try the sport demand a lot of one-on-one assistance, we are implementing a new program, entitled, ‘Skating Buddy.’ During the season, if someone would like to try the sport for one session at no cost, he or she will need to contact Maureen, our new skating/parent liaison, who will contact our club’s skating buddies. Currently, Jonathon and Erin, have volunteered to assist potential new members. This should help the coaches to stay focused on the lessons.
Lookinig forward to this year!
Greg Oly
Try speedskating!
Come to one of our practices at the Plymouth Ice Center and try speedskating! 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:
New skaters - Try speedskating on October 4 and October 18, 2009. We have designated practices on those dates as trial practices. When you come, please bring a signed waiver with you (see below).
Ready to join? You'll need to complete an application & waiver (see below). Please mail the completed form with applicable fees to the address on the application or bring it to your first practice.
09-10 season starts September 13th!
(links to forms here soon)
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.
