National Competitor
SCSSC's Alex competing at Short Track Nationals
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

Featured

Monthly Practice & Competitions

Announcements

Location

The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center 

27745 Smyth Dr., Valencia, CA 91355

November, 2024

  • First four Saturday mornings of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 AM:
    • Dryland conditioning: 6:30 to 6:50 AM
    • On-ice training: 7:00 to 8:00 AM
    • Dryland warm down: 8:05 to 8:30 AM

Please be prepared to assist with moving pads on and off the ice. All parents are required to help. The quicker we set up and tear down, the more time we have to skate! We recommend arriving at the rink 30 minutes early for setting up.

Competitions

  • Saturday morning, November 30 - The Turkey Trot Races - from 6:00 to 8:00 AM (ability-based groupings)
    • Check in: 6:00 to 6:30 AM
    • Warm-ups on ice: 6:45 to 6:55 AM
    • Racing: 7:00 to 8:00 AM
    • Awards: 8:15 to 8:45 AM

Skate News

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

Featured

Instructions for attending a session for the first time

All About SCSSC

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

  1. Please email us your shoe size (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) before coming so we can prepare to provide you with free, properly fitted loaner skates. (They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
  2. Arrive at the rink 30 minutes early for a quick introduction and equipment fitting. On-ice practice starts at 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
  3. Wear long sleeves and comfortable long pants, sweat pants, or similar. If you have a skinsuit, wear that.
  4. Bring snug-fitting gloves; baseball or soccer-type gloves will do.
  5. Bring a helmet if you have one; bicycle helmets are OK.
  6. Never skated? No problem! All of the coaches had also never skated at one time in the past.
  7. Let the coaches know if you do skate now or have in the past (long track, hockey, figure, freestyle, inline, etc.)
  8. Skating in your own hockey or rental skates from the rink is acceptable. Figure skates are not allowed.
  9. Stay hydrated! A sports water bottle is good to keep handy during practice (no glass bottles.)
  10. Before you purchase speed skates, inquire with the group for advice.

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)

Squeezing in the last few seconds of fun on the ice

 Videos by coach Mark

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.

Featured

2024 Western States, Results & Images

In the News

Third year in a row, 2024 Western States

A big thank you to U.S. Speedskating and The Cube for supporting SCSSC in hosting yet another mid-year sacntioned event. 

Yet again our very own Santa Clarita Valley The Signal covered the event: Local speed skaters compete in reginal championships

Race Results are now in: Results & Champions...

 

 

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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)

 

Featured

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)