KLB 2008-2009

Jessica Hewitt of the Kamloops Long Blades makes the next big leap by Qualifying for Canada's World Cup Short Track Team to competing against the Worlds Best.

Jessica won her first Gold medal on the World Cup Circuit in Sofia, BUL. February 8, 2009, at the Samsung ISU World Cup #5 in the 3000m Relay.


Jessica of Team Canada followed by Meng Wang of Team China during 3000m Relay Final at the 2008 World Cup #2 in Vancouver, BC - October 24-26, 2008. Team Canada finished third for Jessica's second 3000m Relay Bronze medal in only her second World Cup.




We are the Kamloops Long Blades Speed Skating Club, established in our community since 1992 with approximately 100 members that all work hard in a volunteer capacity to bring and share the experience of our sport with you, "SPEED SKATING".





On Friday June 20, 2008, during the unveiling of the new city logo, Mayor of Kamloops publicly thanked Sandi Vyse for all of her hard work at getting the Chinese National Team to come to Kamloops and train for the 2010 Olympics.



Chinese National Short Track Team training at McArthur Island Sports Centre summer 2008




Our skaters range from 2 1/2 years to "plenty-9"; skating at various levels from Beginners, Recreational, Competitive, and High Performance. We are proud to have four Kamloops Speed Skaters training at the Calgary Oval. Two in Long Track and two in Short Track with one already on the Canadian World Cup Team.

We are a non-profit organization and are affiliated with the British Columbia Speed Skating Association and with Speed Skating Canada. All of our coaches are volunteers, and most are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).



Our club participate in both Short Track and Long Track speed skating. We are primarily a Short Track Club and the 2007-2008 BC Long Track Club of the year.


Short Track is normally skated within an indoor hockey arena on a 111.12m Oval with skaters racing against each other in groups of approximately 4 to 6 skaters at a time. Our Club trains on the Olympic ice surface at McArthur Island Sport Centre.

Long Track is skated on a larger 333m or 400m Oval.


Mass Start Long Track, skaters race against each other as in Short Track racing.





Olympic Style Long Track: two skaters race along side each other in separate lanes alternating from the outside to the inside each lap and skaters race against the clock for placement.







In BC there are currently several outdoor natural oval ice surfaces which are located in limited parts of the province where climates permit. The Richmond Olympic Oval indoor long track opened in the Fall of 2008 and hosted the WORKSAFEBC LT Championships in January 2009. This oval will remain in use until after the 2010 Olympics, and a new facility is being built in Fort St. John, BC.

• Speed Skating is a non-contact sport that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
• No matter your age or ability, you can enjoy the sport of Speed Skating as an active skater or an associate member.
• In Speed Skating, FAST IS FUN!, imagine traveling at speed of up to 55 kilometers per hour under your own power.
• Maybe it is time you gave it a try!

Check out our site for additional information on our Club and Speed Skating.