Activities Sports & Athletics How To Get Started Speed Skating Share PINTEREST Email Print Speed Skating. Photo by Corey Davis - Getty Images Sports & Athletics Skating Basics History Gear Lessons Famous Skaters Inline Skating Baseball Basketball Bicycling Billiards Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Car Racing Cheerleading Cricket Extreme Sports Football Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Martial Arts Professional Wrestling Skateboarding Paintball Soccer Swimming & Diving Table Tennis Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Other Activities Learn More By Jo Ann Schneider Farris Jo Ann Schneider Farris was a silver medalist in junior ice dancing at the 1975 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships and is the author of two books on skating our editorial process Jo Ann Schneider Farris Updated July 01, 2017 Getting started at speed skating does involve some planning and preparation. Here's How First, learn how to ice skate.It is not necessary to purchase speed skates immediately. It is best to learn basic ice skating skills while wearing figure skates or ice hockey skates.Register and take some ice skating lessons.Most ice arenas offer weekly group lessons that usually run from six to twelve weeks. These group lessons cover many ice skating basics.Master basic ice skating skills.Some of the basic skills needed before learning to speed skate include:Falling and Getting UpStoppingForward SwizzlesMoving Forward on Ice SkatesOne Foot GlidesForward CrossoversMaster some of basic speed skating skills.Some skills new speed skaters should be able to do include:Starting and stopping,The Basic Speed Skating PositionThe Straightaway strokeThe Corner StrokeRegister for speed skating lessons and/or find a speed skating club.Call your local ice arena and inquire about speed skating lessons and programs.U.S. Speed Skating has produced a Speed Skating Basic Skills Manual and provides speed skating lessons through the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program.Purchase speed skates and protective equipment.Once you are part of a speed skating club, get recommendations on where to purchase speed skates that fit your needs. Speed skates can be very expensive, but it may be possible to purchase used equipment.Practice.Those new to speed skating practice at least two to three times a week. As a racer advances, more practice time is necessary.Participate in speed skating races and events.Your speed skating club and coaches will keep you informed about speed skating races and events. Participate in races as much as possible. What You Need Speed skates are not necessary at first but should be purchased eventually.Protective gear such as helmets and gloves.A skin-tight racing suit will eventually be necessary.Some racers wear neck guards and protective goggles.