LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A visit from an experienced coach has given speed-skaters in Fort Simpson an early advantage.

Yellowknife speed skating coach David Gilday, centre, prepares to give Fort Simpson speed skaters Madison Pilling, left and Robert Harold some pointers. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

David Gilday of Yellowknife was in the village from Dec. 14 to 17. Every day he worked with members of the Fort Simpson Speed Skating Club as well as students in Class 1 at Bompas Elementary School.

Val Gendron, the club's coach, said having Gilday come at the beginning of the season and getting skaters on the ice a week early was a huge benefit.

"It reinforces the skills they need to skate effectively," she said.

The skaters absorb suggestions about technique better when it comes from a new source, said Gendron. Students spent time on the ice with Gilday both during school hours and during the club's normal evening practices.

Having the extra ice time is also beneficial at the beginning of the season, Gendron said.

All of the skaters did well, said Gilday. He spent one on one time with the younger speed skaters.

"The idea really is to plant the technical seeds so kids can just skate a little bit better," he said.

Gilday uses the theory that people do things, like speed skate, because they enjoy it. Once someone has the skills to do better they will enjoy the activity more, which in turn makes it easier for them to learn more.

Gilday also spent time working with the club's most advanced skaters Madison Pilling and Robert Harold who are training to compete at the International Youth Games in Kelowna, B.C., in late January.

Harold said it was good to learn about using the outside edge of the skate and getting lower to the ice. Using these two techniques gives skaters more of the leg's length to push with on straight aways.

"Everything is about lengthening the leg," Gilday said.

With Pilling, Gilday focused on the shuffle stride that allows skaters to set up so their are on their right leg in the middle of the corner, which helps combat the centrifugal force that would otherwise push them into the boards.

The Fort Simpson Speed Skating Club is growing. An influx of new skaters has raised the club's numbers to approximately 15 compared to around 12 last year. Gendron said the club is always looking for volunteers to help during practices.

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