Evanston Speedskating Club

We happened to notice an item on the Evanston city website that there was a speed skating competition all day today. We swung by early with our toddler and caught some races featuring 6-​year-​old kids all the way up through adults. Everyone was very welcoming, and seemed surprised that we attended without having a friend or relative competing.

As a skater of 4 years in this club I must say it’s great to have a nearby (to me) facility that supports speed skating. Young and old skate (our skaters range from 5 years old — developmental to 50+ years). Groupings based on ability (speed) and experience, skate in packs. So when the fastest skaters are skating the less experienced skaters either wait in the middle or work on exercises. The coaching is good and there is even off season off ice coaching which while not as fun is important. Pads, which are necessary for safety are always out. Come out to try it out or join for the season. We skate Tuesdays and Thursdays with individual sessions $ 12-​$ 15, and the season available at discounted pricing. Skates are available (most sizes) for rental for the season, and the equipment that you’ll need to bring is a helmet, neck guard and knee pads. Arrive by 5:45 to help with pads, we skate from 6 — 7pm. The only improvement I see would be adding about a half hour of ice time.

I haven’t actually taken part in skating with this club, but Olympic gold medalist in the 1000m, Shani Davis, got his start here as a kid. They skate at the «fabulous» Robert Crown Center, which is where I skated as a kid. Alas, I hung up my skates before I realized my dream of… being able to skate without falling down.