Eight years in the making - A speedskater’s journey starts with All Sport One Day

Eight years ago, Angus Hicks’ parents signed him up for Sport Calgary’s All Sport One Day to give him a chance to try new sports. Unbeknownst to them, he would find his calling: speedskating.

Now, he’s a proud athlete with the Calgary Speed Skating Association with goals of skating at the Canada Games, then with the national team. At 15 years old, Hicks has some time before he’ll be able to don the maple leaf, but for now, he’s taking the necessary steps to get there, and having fun while doing it.

For Hicks, it’s his teammates and the community that he loves the most about the sport, beyond the actual skating.

“I just really love speedskating,” he said. “The speed, the thrill, the excitement.”

The young athlete played hockey beforehand, but after trying out this new type of skating at All Sport One Day, he knew it was perfect for him.

“This is what I enjoyed doing,” he said. “I wouldn’t rather do anything else with my time”

When asked if he ever expected the journey to take them where it did, Angus’ father Dave replied: “not a chance.”

While he has always loved practicing, the first couple of years he was quite nervous for races and competitions. The nerves have dwindled as he’s gained experience in the sport. ?

“Something just clicked, and he made it his own,” said his father. “We have a really hard time keeping him away from it, if we were to try.”

From a parent’s perspective, besides his son’s obvious interest in the sport, Dave enjoys how it’s unique, individualized and pushes the athletes to challenge their own personal bests.

The family is busy almost year-round, with training from May through March, with a break each April. Starting up in May brings different types of training, from ice times to cycling to weight training, then on ice training takes priority come September, said Dave.

“It’s a pretty solid commitment, but if it something he loves doing, it’s not like work at all for us,” he said.

Even with the rigorous training schedule, the focus for both Angus and his parents is to have fun. For his parents, there’s an added element of pride in how Angus has committed himself to the sport.

“It almost brings a tear to your eye to think of the successes and personal growth,” said his father. “Just to see him getting out there and trying his best every time.”

- Martina Barclay for Sport Calgary