The Pacific Blades Speed Skat-ing Club has closed the books on a successful third season of competitive skating.
Diaya Maseja, past president and club coach, said she's pleased with the development of the club.
"Word is starting to spread throughout the community about our club," Maseja said. "The growth has been positive. We have a committed group of skaters and families who are putting a lot into the club. I'm already excited about next season."
At the recent provincial championships in Matsqui, Nicole Maseja finished 11th in B.C. in the junior (age 14-15) category.
Nicole was the lone skater from the club to compete.
Other skaters had a number of highlights throughout the season. Ban-tam skaters Sam-antha Iles-Highton, Willie Daigneault and Sammy Pinter Thompson had a great season.
Samantha joined the club in December. She was not able to attend any of the competitive meets, but Maseja said the enthusiasm is high and she's already getting ready for September.
"Willie is a second year skater and he improved his time the most," said Maseja. "Sammy is a first year skater and she improved tremendously throughout the year. She's been working hard on her basic position and her crossovers."
At the midget level, Ondra Maseja won silver medals on 2005 and 2006 at the regionals. This year he continued his development, with several top finishes in competition. He missed this year's regionals after he was stuck in Quebec and couldn't fly back due to a cancelled flight. But he's improved his time in the 333 m by more than two seconds and is hoping for a big year next year.
Madi Craig is another midget level skater and one to keep an eye on. This was her first year with the club.
Reid McNevin completed his first year with the club at the midget level.
"Reid was able to go to two competitions this season. He skated in long track in Logan Lake and Burnaby Haida where he skated his 333 m for 0:54.39, a good time for a first year skater and his first time competition ever," noted Maseja.
Midget level skater Isabella Roeleveld won a silver medal at the regionals in her first year of skating. Her most improved time was over 21 seconds in 666 m.
Juvenile skater Max Forrester split his time between the skate club and swim team and did not participate in any competitions, but Maseja hopes to see him compete next year.
Along with club competitions, Maseja put together the On The Edge learn to skate program.
École du Pacifique was the first school on the Coast to participate in the program, designed to assist school teachers in delivering skating lessons using a speed skating approach.
The course was 13 weeks and saw grades 4 to 7 students from the school skate for an hour at the arena every Tuesday.
"The course was very successful. At the beginning there were kids who didn't know much about skating or were a little intimidated," said Maseja. "But at the end of the course, you could see a lot of improvement. I'm hopeful we can open the course up to more schools next year."
The club is taking a bit of a break for the next few months, but returns in late August for their summer mini-camp.The camp will be held Aug. 25 to 26 at the arena from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. both days. There will be a mix of on-ice and dryland training featuring top level coaches from Maple Ridge, Sardis and Langley.
To find out more about the mini-camp or the club in general, check out www.pacificblades.com, email [email protected] or call 604-885-9077.
