OFF SEASON IN PROGRESS — Next season starts September 2026. Register your interest now →
Two Burnaby skaters racing Pack of skaters racing at a meet Burnaby skater mid-race Young skaters at a speed skating meet Burnaby skater in red and black skinsuit
Burnaby Speed Skating Club · Est. 1968
Est. 1968 · Burnaby BC

Born toSkate Fast.

Burnaby Speed Skating Club is one of BC's longest-running speed skating programs. We welcome skaters aged 5 and up who can already skate independently — from newcomers to competitive racers.

1968
Founded
55+
Years of Racing
3
Ice Times / Week
~$50
Try-It Session
All Ages
Welcome

Register for Try-It 2026

Three consecutive Saturdays starting September 2026. Skates, ankle guards, and protective gear all included — just bring a helmet and gloves.

  • 3 coached Saturday sessions, ~$50 total
  • Skate & gear rental included
  • Must be able to skate one full lap unaided
  • Ages 5 and up (limited by minimum skate size)
  • September registrants may qualify for the annual mini-meet

Questions? bbyspeedskating@gmail.com

Try-It Registration

Thank You for Pre-Registering!

Thank you for filling out the pre-registration information. We will be in touch sometime this summer to follow up on what to do next.

Registration confirms your interest — exact session dates will be emailed once confirmed.

How Our Try-It Works

Step 1 of 3
1

Register Online

Fill out our pre-registration form. Sessions are ~$50 and include skate rental and all the basic safety gear you need. You must already be able to skate at least one lap around the rink without assistance.

Step 2 of 3
2

Three Saturdays

Join us for three consecutive Saturday sessions at Kensington Park Arena. Coaches build on your existing skating ability and introduce you to speed skating technique and form.

Step 3 of 3
3

Join the Club

After Try-It, you're invited to join the full season. September Try-It participants can also qualify for our annual mini-meet — your first real race!

Session Details

!
Skating Prerequisite

Participants must be able to skate at least one full lap around the rink without any assistance before joining Try-It sessions. This is a firm requirement for safety.

  • 3 consecutive Saturdays
  • Starting September 2026
  • Held at Kensington Park Arena
  • ~$50 total for all three sessions
  • Speed skate rental included
  • Basic safety gear provided
  • Ages 5 and up welcome
  • Skate availability may limit youngest participants — contact us if unsure

September Bonus: Mini-Meet

Register for the first Try-It set in September and you may qualify to participate in our annual Burnaby Speed Skating Mini-Meet — a fun, low-pressure race event where you get to test your skills against fellow Burnaby skaters for the very first time.

  • Race against other Burnaby speed skaters
  • Experience a real speed skating competition
  • Supportive, beginner-friendly environment
  • A taste of what the full season offers
MM

Race at the Mini-Meet

Sign up for September Try-It sessions and you could qualify to race at our annual Burnaby mini-meet — an exciting chance to experience competitive speed skating for the first time, racing against other Burnaby skaters in a welcoming, club-run event.

September
Registrants
Only

Equipment Checklist

Staying safe on the ice starts with the right gear. Try-It skaters have everything covered for their three sessions — skates, ankle guards, and basic protective equipment are all on us. The one thing you must bring yourself is a proper helmet and a pair of gloves.

!

Important — Helmet Requirements

Every skater must arrive with their own helmet. We accept hockey helmets and ski or snowboard helmets — both are designed to handle the kinds of impacts that happen on ice. Bicycle helmets are not allowed because their ventilation openings leave the head exposed during a fall on a hard surface. A second-hand hockey helmet from a used sports store is a perfectly good and affordable option.

You need to bring this
Covered for Try-It sessions
Helpful but not mandatory
01
Helmet
Bring it
A hockey or snowboard/ski helmet is required on the ice at all times. Speed-skate specific helmets are a great upgrade as you progress through the season. Never substitute a bicycle helmet — its open vents make it unsuitable for ice sport falls.
✕ Bike helmets not allowed
02
Gloves
Bring it
For Try-It sessions, any sturdy winter or work gloves will protect your hands. Once you join the full season, cut-resistant gloves become important — skate blades are extremely sharp and even a minor fall can put your hands close to the ice. Cut-resistant liners worn inside regular gloves are also a practical option.
03
Speed Skates
Try-It covered
Skate rental is bundled into your ~$50 Try-It fee — nothing extra needed. We stock a range of sizes. If you decide to skate with us for the full season, you'll want to pick up your own pair eventually. There are no speed-skate specific shops in metro Vancouver, so plan to order online and leave plenty of lead time for shipping.
04
Ankle Guards
Try-It covered
These cut-resistant cuffs slip over the skate boot and shield the ankle from blade contact during falls or close passing situations. The club supplies them for all Try-It participants. Season skaters will need to have their own pair — they're sometimes listed as ankle cuffs or blade guards at online skate shops.
05
Neck Guard
Recommended
A slash-resistant neck guard is strongly recommended for regular season skating and required for competitions. A hockey neck guard from any local sporting goods store does the job — they're inexpensive and easy to find. For competition use, the guard needs to sit high enough to cover the throat up to the chin line. The club also has neck guard with bib combos available to purchase — see the Club Shop below.
06
Knee Pads
Recommended
Soft volleyball-style knee pads are the go-to choice — they're low-profile enough to wear under a skin suit or track pants while still absorbing impact from falls. Avoid hard-shell versions; they're bulkier than needed and can be uncomfortable in the skating crouch. Grab a pair at any sporting goods store, or through the Club Shop.
07
Shin Pads
Recommended
Hard-shell soccer shin pads guard the front of your lower leg — particularly useful once you're skating in the deep-knee-bend position. They slide into a dedicated pocket in most skin suits, or you can hold them in place with a long tube sock. Any soccer shin pad works; nothing speed-skate specific required. Available through the Club Shop.
08
Eyewear
Recommended
Clear, impact-resistant goggles or glasses with a secure head strap keep ice chips and snow spray out of your eyes. The strap is key — regular glasses will slide off the moment you pick up speed. Mandatory at sanctioned competitions; highly advisable in everyday practice. Available through the Club Shop.
09
Skate Guards
Try-It covered
Hard plastic blade covers are worn any time you're off the ice — lacing up at the bench, walking through the lobby, heading to the car. They protect the sharp blade edge from chips and nicks, and prevent accidental contact with others. Guards come with rental skates. Season skaters need their own pair.
10
Blade Soakers
Try-It covered
After stepping off the ice, your blades will be coated in moisture. Soakers are soft fabric pouches that go over the blade after you remove the hard guards — they absorb that residual water so the blades dry properly overnight. Skipping this step and leaving blades sitting in hard guards causes rust surprisingly quickly. Provided for Try-It sessions; season skaters will need their own.
11
What to Wear
Good to know
For Try-It sessions, comfortable athletic clothing that allows full freedom of movement is all you need. You'll be surprised how warm you get on the ice, so dress in layers you can adjust. Heavy ski jackets restrict your range of motion — a lighter option is better. Season skaters wear a club skinsuit — a custom one-piece in the club's colours, available exclusively through us for $200. Worn layered over thermal base layers for cold sessions.
12
Club Skinsuit
Recommended
The Burnaby Speed Skating Club skinsuit is a custom one-piece racing suit in the club's colours — worn by all season skaters competing at meets. It's form-fitting, flexible, and designed specifically for the aerodynamic crouching position used in speed skating. Layered over thermal base layers for warmth during cold sessions. This is a club-exclusive item — it cannot be purchased anywhere else.
13
Water Bottle
Bring it
Hydration matters more than it looks on the ice — speed skating is a serious aerobic workout. Bring a plastic or insulated water bottle to every session. Metal bottles should be left at home; they can scratch or chip the ice surface if dropped, and the temperature extremes can make them awkward to handle in cold gloves.

Price Comparison

Speed skating gear isn't sold in local Vancouver stores — which means ordering online and waiting for shipping, or paying retail markups at general sports shops. Where the club carries an item, we offer it at a straightforward flat price, no shipping, no waiting. Pick it up at the rink.

Item
Retail / Online
Club Price
Where
Goggles with strap
Shatter-proof, clear, with retention strap
$20–$35
+ shipping
$15
Save $5–$20
Club
Shin pads
Soccer-style hard shell
$18–$40
Sport Chek / online
$15
Save $3–$25
Club
Knee pads
Soft volleyball-style
$18–$45
Sport Chek / online
$15
Save $3–$30
Club
Neck guard with bib
Cut-resistant collar + protective front bib
$25–$50
Speed skate shops / online
$20
Save $5–$30
Club
Blade soakers
Fabric blade covers for post-skate storage
$18–$30
Online only · + shipping
$15
Save $3–$15
Club
Gloves
Cut-resistant skate gloves
$30–$60
Online only · + shipping
TBD
Ask us
Club
Season skate rental
Boot only, blade only, or both for the full season
$400–$800+
To buy new outright
$80 / part
$160 / both
Rent for the season
Club only
Club Skinsuit
Custom Burnaby Speed Skating one-piece racing suit
Not available
Exclusive to our club
$200
Custom club design
Club only
TIP
No waiting. No shipping. Pick it up at the rink.
Speed skating gear isn't stocked in Vancouver stores — online orders from Kamloops or Calgary can take 1–2 weeks. Club items are available at sessions, subject to stock. Email us ahead to confirm availability.

Club Shop

Finished your Try-It sessions and ready to join the season? We have a limited supply of equipment available directly from the club, so you can get started without waiting on mail order. Contact us to check current stock and arrange pickup at the rink.

Season Skate Rental

Need skates for the full season? We offer rental by the year so you can get on the ice without the upfront cost of buying. Choose just the boot, just the blade, or the full package.

Boot or blade
$80
Boot + blade
$160
Photo coming soon
Goggles with Strap
Clear impact-resistant lenses with secure head strap
$15
Photo coming soon
Shin Pads
Hard-shell soccer-style shin protection
$15
Photo coming soon
Blade Soakers
Fabric covers to dry blades after each session
$15
Photo coming soon
Knee Pads
Soft volleyball-style under-suit knee protection
$15
Photo coming soon
Neck Guard + Bib
Slash-resistant collar with protective front bib
$20
Photo coming soon
Gloves
Cut-resistant gloves for safe skating all season
TBD
Club Exclusive
Photo coming soon
Club Skinsuit
Custom Burnaby Speed Skating one-piece racing suit
Not available anywhere else — exclusive club design.
$200
SHOP
Stock is limited — contact us to check availability
Equipment is sold at the rink. Email us ahead of time to confirm what's in stock before your visit.
Email Us ↗

Speed-skate specific gear isn't sold in local Vancouver stores. For items the club doesn't carry, we recommend ordering from ilovespeedskating.com in Kamloops or the Calgary Oval skate shop. Shipping times vary, so place your order early. Any questions — bbyspeedskating@gmail.com

About Burnaby Speed Skating

Burnaby Speed Skating Club has been part of the local sporting community since 1968 — one of the oldest speed skating clubs in British Columbia.

We're a community club that welcomes everyone from first-time skaters to competitive athletes. Our coaching team is dedicated to developing skaters at every level, focusing on technique, fitness, and love for the sport.

We train on short-track speed skating at Kensington Park Arena in Burnaby, with multiple ice sessions each week during the season (September through April).

RINK
Kensington Park Arena 6159 Curtis Street, Burnaby BC V5B 4X7
SESS
Season: September – April Multiple ice sessions per week for all groups
GRP
Groups 1 through 4 Structured skill groups for all ages and experience levels
EMAIL
bbyspeedskating@gmail.com Reach us anytime with questions about the club
IG
@burnabyspeedskating Follow us on Instagram for news and updates

Training Schedule

The 2025/26 schedule is shown below for reference. 2026/27 times will be confirmed in late summer.

6:30 – 7:30 am
Early Morning Session
Groups 2, 3, 4
7:30 – 8:45 pm
Evening Session
Groups 1 + 2
9:00 – 10:30 pm
Late Evening Session
Groups 3 + 4
8:45 – 10:15 pm
Evening Session
Groups 2, 3, 4
1:30 pm
Afternoon Session 1
Group 2
2:45 pm
Afternoon Session 2
Group 1
4:00 pm
Afternoon Session 3
Group 3
5:15 pm
Afternoon Session 4
Group 4

Drop-in sessions are available for skaters wanting to try the ice without full commitment. Contact us at bbyspeedskating@gmail.com for current drop-in availability and pricing.

Training & Events Calendar

Our live calendar shows upcoming practice sessions, special events, competitions, Try-It registration dates, and any schedule changes. It updates automatically — bookmark this page or subscribe to stay in the loop.

Show groups:
Schedule shown is 2025/26 for reference — 2026/27 times will be confirmed in late summer.
ALERT
Never miss a schedule change
Once the calendar is live, you'll be able to subscribe and get updates synced directly to your phone's calendar app.
Get Notified

Which Skater Are You?

Everyone starts somewhere different. Whether you're brand new to the sport, a returning Burnaby member, or visiting from another club — here's exactly where you fit and how to get on the ice with us.

TRY
New to speed skating
Try-It
Sessions

Never tried speed skating before? Our Try-It program is three consecutive Saturdays designed to give you a real feel for the sport — coached sessions, proper technique, and all the gear you need included. One prerequisite: you must be able to complete at least one lap around the rink on your own before joining.

Cost ~$50 for all 3 sessions
When Saturdays, Sept 2026
Ages 5 and up
Skates Rental included
★ Register in September and you may qualify to race at our annual mini-meet
Current Season
FULL
Returning & registered members
Club
Members

Already skating with Burnaby Speed Skating Club, or coming back for another season? This is your path. Full-season membership gives you access to all weekly ice times across your skill group, coach-led training, and the chance to race at SSBC-sanctioned competitions throughout the year.

Season September – April
Ice times Tues / Wed / Sat
Skill groups Groups 1 – 4
Competitions SSBC-sanctioned
Skate rental $80–$160 / season
DROP
Visiting from another club
Drop-In
Skaters

Already a registered member of another speed skating club? You're welcome to drop in and skate with us. Drop-in registration is separate from our Try-It and full-season pathways — please contact us directly before your first visit so we can confirm availability and walk you through the process.

Different registration process

Drop-in skaters must already hold active membership with a recognized speed skating club. Registration, waiver, and ice fee arrangements are handled separately — do not use the Try-It or season registration forms.

Eligibility Active club members only
Availability Subject to ice space
First step Email us first
Get in Touch →

The email link above pre-fills "Drop-In Inquiry" as the subject so we know how to help you right away.

FAQ

You must be able to skate at least one full lap around the rink without any assistance. This is a firm safety requirement — our Try-It program builds on existing skating ability to introduce speed skating technique. It is not a learn-to-skate program. If you or your child aren't quite at that level yet, we'd suggest practicing at a few public skate sessions first.
There is one firm prerequisite: you must be able to skate at least one full lap around the rink without any assistance. This is required for safety — our sessions focus on speed skating technique, not learning to skate from scratch. If you're not quite there yet, we'd encourage practicing at a public skate first and coming back once you've got your footing.
You must bring your own helmet. Accepted helmets are hockey helmets and snowboard or ski helmets. Bike helmets are NOT permitted — they're not designed to protect against ice falls. If you don't own one, hockey helmets are widely available at used sports stores for a reasonable price.
The fee covers all three Saturday sessions, speed skate rental, and basic protective gear. You just need to bring your own helmet and gloves. Optional personal gear (shin pads, knee pads, eye protection) can be brought but is not required.
The mini-meet is our annual beginner race event where new skaters get to race against other Burnaby Speed Skating Club members in a fun, supportive environment. To qualify, you must register for and complete the first set of Try-It sessions in September 2026. It's a wonderful first taste of competitive speed skating — no pressure, just fun racing.
We welcome skaters aged 5 years and up. Our youngest participants may be limited by minimum speed skate sizes available — if you have a young child and aren't sure whether we can fit them, please contact us before registering and we'll let you know. The one-lap skating prerequisite applies to all participants regardless of age.
We're currently in the off season. The new season starts in September 2026. Exact dates will be announced on our Instagram (@burnabyspeedskating) and via email. Pre-register your interest now to be first to know when registration opens.
After completing your three Try-It Saturdays, you'll have the option to register for the full 2026/27 season. Your coaches will guide you on which group level is the right fit and explain next steps. Many of our current competitive skaters started exactly this way.

Come Skate With Us

RINK
Rink Kensington Park Arena
6159 Curtis Street
Burnaby, BC V5B 4X7
IG