LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
In preparation for an upcoming tournament in March, speed skaters in Fort Simpson are training up for their big moment.

Speed skaters in Fort Simpson limber up as they prepare for their next exercise. From left are Mikayla Lafferty, Amaria Tanche-Hanna, Katie Noseworthy, Rhys Dowdeswell, Gombee Jose, instructor Val Gendron and Taggacho Jose. - April Hudson/NNSL photos

The speedskating club meets Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays each week, throughout the afternoon and into early evening at the village's recreation centre.

Gathering the group together, coach Val Gendron runs them through a series of exercises - from basic skating techniques to some of speed skating's more challenging skills - as well as games.

Slips, falls and moments of frustration are all part of the training.

In order to master certain techniques, skaters use whatever props they can. For instance, to practice crossovers, they run through exercises leaning on an overturned bucket for stability.

Other exercises included skating control and working on staying low while pushing each other around the ice.

There are currently 12 speed skaters taking lessons, from beginners to experienced skaters. Gendron said the trick to teaching a class with so many levels of skaters lies in challenging each of them to improve.

That includes asking experienced skaters to do twice as much skating in the same amount of time as a new skater, she said.

Improvement comes quickly to many of the skaters. Taggacho Jose, who participated in the lessons for the first time at the start of this month, had "totally leveled skates" on his second lesson, she said.

Rhys Dowdeswel has been speedskating for a year and a half. He says he is looking forward to attending his second skating tournament. During the first one, he claimed a gold medal in his category.

The tournament begins in mid-March and runs through Dowdeswell's birthday on March 11.

"I get to celebrate by speed skating," he said. "It's a good way to celebrate my birthday, especially if I win gold again."

If Dowdeswell has anything to say about it, that gold medal will be within his grasp.

The Grade 3 student says he plans to keep practising and improving his skills.

"When I get to the tournament, the hardest part is going to be trying not to bump into other people or hit the pucks. That could result in disqualification," Dowdeswell said.

"As for right now, I'm practising my crossovers."

Crossovers are an oft-cited challenge for speed skaters. They require skaters to cross their feet in order to curve around a corner - a skill that requires more than your average level of balance.

"It's difficult to do without falling," Dowdeswell said.