I found speed skates so natural. The skating itself was a bit tricky but I could get by. It was a ton of fun. Years of skating on long rockered inline skate frames had prepared me for my eventual meeting with speed skates. The truth is I have wanted to go speed skating forever but I was too lazy to actually go. And it was too easy. We have the best ice on earth right here in Calgary Alberta. The ice in the olympic oval is widely considered the fastest ice on earth. The combination of high altitude and low humidity result in a fantastic surface to skate on. The oval even has speed skates you can rent. AND there is tons of free skate time. The long rockered frame and completely flat bottom edge actually are a great set up for wizard skating style moves. Gazelles, 3 turns, spins all work great on speed skates. The one advantage the wheels on the wizard skates allow for the wheels to squish and rebound with moves creating a smoother transition. - Shaun Unwin

Skater: Shaun Unwin

Video by Alex Cochennec