Opening Ceremonies
Western States Championships. (Photo credit: Lambert)
Go to the Start!
Steve Fisher (left) and Dave Jepson (right) of US Speed Skating. (Photo credit: FJ)
Photo Finish
1st or 2nd place—micro seconds. (Photo credit: FJ)
Ice Time
Skaters gather during practice. (Photo credit: Lambert)

Stay cool and skate Short Track

2024 Western States Champs & Skating Camp

Announcements

Save the Date!

Western States Champs and Skating Camp in June

 

Get ready. The Western States Regional Championships in Short Track are coming up on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at

The Cube Ice & Entertainment Center in Valencia, CA.

 

In preparation for competing, join us Thursday and Friday, June 27 and 28 from 9 am. to 5 p.m. for a two-day short-track skating camp led by 

Linlin Sun, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist for China, and 

Santa Clarita Speed Skating's own USS Certified Head Coach, Mark Jeter.

The camp will feature both off- and on-ice sessions.

Details & Registration

 2024 Western States Short Track Championships, Santa Clarita, CAmedallion with map

Monthly Practice & Competitions

Announcements

April, 2024

Regular Saturday Practice

  • April 6 (7:00 a.m.)
  • April 12 (7:00 a.m.)
  • April 20 (7:00 a.m.)
  • April 16 (7:00 a.m.)

Competition Meets this Month

  • None

Skate News

We announce schedule changes and other important updates via our email newsletter. Subscribe to Skate News and keep yourself up-to-date on all things SCSSC. Additional sessions periodically become available, announced through Skate News. 

Training Sessions

All About SCSSC

A mix of children and adults on the ice engaged in various exercises and skating drills. Speed skaters on the ice during regular practice. (Photo credit: Lambert)

Regular Practice

First-time Skating with Us

We welcome adults and children of all skating abilities and backgrounds who want give short track a try. Your first visit is absolutely free!

  1. Contact us in advance to let us know shoe size for loaner skates (first come, first served.)
  2. Arrive at the rink 30 minutes early for a quick introduction and equipment fitting.
  3. Practice starts at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
  4. Wear long sleeves and comfortable long pants, sweat pants or similar.
  5. Bring snug-fitting gloves; baseball or soccer-type gloves will do.
  6. Bring your own helmet if you have one; bicycle helmets are fine.
  7. Never skated? No problem! But let coaches know your if you skate now or have in the past (long track, hockey, figure, freestyle, inline, other.)
  8. Skating with your own hockey or rental skates from the rink to start out with is perfectly acceptable. 
  9. For purchasing your own speed skates, inquire with the group for advice.
  10. Stay hydraded! A sports bottle of water is good to keep handy during practice (no glass bottles.)

Rates & Discounts

If you decide to stick with it, we offer a discount for Club members. Rates and Pricing. 

Private Lessons

Ask the coaches at any practice.

Coach Richard

In the News

Smart, funny, and engaging

By Brandon Lee

The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club wants to recognize Coach Richard Atkinson for his past and present contributions.

Richard AtkinsonShort-track speed skating coach, Richard Atkinson.

For those just coming in, you might wonder: where is Coach Richard? Due to family obligations beyond anyone’s control, Coach Richard is taking care of matters larger than speed skating. He will evaluate his future role when it's appropriate.

It is my great pleasure to share my thoughts on a year of learning to speed skate with the Club and Coach Richard.

Getting Started

Mark Jeter joins SCSSC as coach

In the News

Inspiring young and old alike

By FJ

We want to give a warm welcome to SCSSC's new coach, Mark Jeter.

A thumbnail collage of eight images of Mark's first day with SCSSC with various skaters. Mark's first day taking selfies with skaters, parents, and his new home rink.

Coach Mark has a great love and enthusiasm for speed skating and short-track, and is excited to help inspire young and old alike to share his passion for the sport in southern California.

Mark's Accomplishments in Speed Skating 

  • USS Certified Coach.
  • Bronze and Silver medalist, 3000 meter relay in 1990 and 1991, US Olympic Sports Festival.
  • Member of Regional Development Long Track Training Team under Gerard Kemkers 1994-1995.

No Ice? No Problem! 

Matching that level of accomplishement on ice might be enough for most of us, but not for Mark. He also participates in track and field. Coach Mark is fast—on and off the ice!

West by Midwest

2023 Western States Regional Champs media coverage

In the News

Sports page of the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, thumbnail graphicFull page feature in the Sports section of The Signal dedicated to SCSSC.

Santa Clarita Valley Signal, June 20, 2023

A big applause and much gratitude to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal for another superb cover story and photographs of Santa Clarita Speed Skating's Western States Regional Championships on June 17, 2023.

The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club hosted the officially-sanctioned U.S. Speedskating event at The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center on a warm summer Saturday afternoon and evening in Valencia, California. 

From the article

[Quoting SCSSC's president, Ron Halcrow]:

"Our 13-year-old, Alex Khuong, turned in a pretty fantastic time for a 13-year-old in his 500-meter race. I suspect if he sticks with the sport, he’ll make the world team."

Full article: Top Western speed skaters compete at the Cube, Justin Vigil-Zuniga

2023 Western States Regional Championship Results (PDF)

 

2022 Western States Regional Champs media coverage

In the News

2022 western states champs, three competitors in a 500 m race.Speeding on ice at the 2022 Western States Championships. (Photo credit: FJ)

Santa Clarita Valley Signal, June 30, 2022

A big thank you to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal for their excellent coverage and photographs of the Western States Regional Championships on June 26, 2022.

The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club hosted the event at The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center, and attracted competitors from nothern and southern California, Arizona, and as far away as Colorado. 

From the article

"The race featured four events, with nine groups each, and offered a variety of lengths, which altered strategy for each. The 1,000-meter races required pacing while the shorter 500- and 278-meter races were more like sprints. The competition also featured a 3,000-meter relay race."

"Skaters were divided up into groups based on skill level, weight and height, which made for some interesting matchups as they were generally not organized by age. One race featured a 71-year-old skater versus a 14-year-old skater of the same height and weight. The race was extremely close."

Full article: Blades flash at speed skating competition, Trevor Morgan

2022 Western States Regional Championship Results (PDF)