Welcome to Hauraki Ice Racing Club

Skate Fast – Turn Left

TRAINING: On ice at Paradice Avondale
Everyone: Friday 6:15-7:15pm and Sunday 11:30am-12:30pm
A group finishes at 12:45pm on Sundays

Off-ice Sundays from 10:40am at the rink, before our ice session

What is Short Track Speed Skating?

Short Track Speed Skating is an Olympic sport that appeals to those who enjoy extreme sport, a rush of adrenaline from speed, being fit and the opportunity for challenge and competition.

In Short Track, four to six skaters race against each other to the finish line, jockeying for position while maintaining speed and balance.  Skaters race on an 111m oval track.  Young children start with 111m, 222m and 333m races while senior events are typically 500m, 1000m and 1500m.  Some short track speed skaters attain speeds of 50km an hour for shorter distances.

There are also team relay events that consist of 4 skaters taking turns racing; the changes are made by skaters pushing each other rather than passing a baton.  Relays are usually 3000m for women and 5000m for men. 

Learn all the basics of Short Track Speed Skating as well as the tactics and techniques from our coaches: Matt Biggs, Gill Taitimu and some of our senior skaters.    

Become a member of Hauraki Ice Racing Club and you can learn new skills & compete against other clubs and teams in New Zealand and overseas.  Keen skaters with good ability have the opportunity to travel the world representing New Zealand.

More than just a speed skating club

We’ll forgive you for thinking all we do is teach people how to skate fast and turn left. Representing New Zealand’s largest city, we embrace our multi-cultural diversity – both on and off the ice.

For many of us, ice skating is a way to remain connected to our heritage. For others, we just want to do something ‘different’. But one thing is certain, we are a friendly lot for a competitive sport.

And as for all the rumours about us… We admit that many of them are true. Our head coach was part of the NZ World Record Short Track Relay Team back in the day. He also competed at two Olympics and has the most amazing sense of humour! Yes, our club has sent skaters overseas to compete in both World Juniors and World Cup speed skating competitions and we are a force to be reckoned with at the New Zealand National Ice Speed Skating Championships.

Our beginners are the cutest kids on the ice and a joy to have on the team. Our seniors are brilliant role models, actively involved in helping the younger generation and their parents. Speaking of parents… Well, they are simply amazing! They take on just about any role from cheering to timekeeping, getting out the safety equipment and helping our social side of the club be lots of fun by sharing their culture with everyone! Yup, Hauraki Ice Racing Club is more than a team. We’re a community.

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