South Canterbury Roller Skating Club

3 Indonesians here, 2 more Sunday Evening

2012-01-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

Aldy, Sheilla & Devina, have almost been a week in Timaru facing the cold weather thats recently hit the South Island, But Nikko Amrullah the 16 year old East Java skater above along with Adinia Rizkayanti 17 are scheduled to arrive in N.Z. 10.35 pm on Sunday evening, in time to compete at the N.Z. Bank track champs in Blenheim. The older N.Z. grades will have some welcome competition with Aldy senior men, Nikko Intermediate men, Devina Senior Ladies & Sheilla & Adinia Intermediate ladies.
While the South Canterbury club had the biggest number of competitors for the home championships, its good to see that we have 20 skaters going to Blenheim, of the 64, including the 5 Indonesian skaters. Wanganui has 11, Manawatu & Christchurch 7 each, Valley Inline 6, Mt. Wellington & Kapiti 3, Blenheim 1. South Canterbury with 15 of the 44 selected skaters for the Oceania champs, is proving to be the new stronghold of N.Z. speed skating.

INDONESIA arrive Samantha speeds up.

2012-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Samantha & Emily nominated for Worlds so obligated to do marathon next week in Palmerston North. Samantha has been going well over all distances recently & Emily won all the Intermediate sprints on the road, but was 2nd in the open ladies N.Z. 20,000 meters, also with a good effort in the WIC event in Haining, so dangerous to leave her out of calculations.

But strong 30 km at Waimate, with Samantha taking it right up to Brett McCormack towards the end. Aldy From Indonesia, a bit of Jetlag & leglock on the sloped track, but got in some solid laps

· · Share · about an hour ago

Kathy Bee, Cassidy R. Brown, Andre Azza and 6 others like this.
- Andre Azza samantha is so fast... great to see that
  about an hour ago ·
- Brett McCormack Yeah she skated the best I have ever seen her yesterday
  56 minutes ago ·
- Bill Begg Yes the last month really got her act together & her head in the right space, is strong & getting faster also, now instead of Samantha chasing the likes of Emily & Dahna for speed, they will need to lift again to catch up to her. Promises that 2 weeks away will not sidetrack her.
  about a minute ago ·
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2012-01-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

Off to Waimate tomorrow the home of the Waimate Whizz Emily van der Heyden for training at 2pm. Brett & Jonathon will be up from Dunedin.and the 3 Indonesian skaters also. Samantha & Emily nominated for Worlds so obligated to do marathon next week in Palmerston North. Samantha has been going well over all distances recently & Emily won all the Intermediate sprints on the road, but was 2nd in the open ladies N.Z. 20,000 meters, also with a good effort in the WIC event in Haining, so dangerous to leave her out of calculations.

Photo Emily Palmerston North Bound next Saturday & will miss the home Carnival at Waimate.

Mentor not racing but protigies win Gold

2012-01-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

Well Nicole Begg their Mentor Center is incapacitated, due to a medical condition yet to be identified, but last week at the N.Z. Champs the X-TECH girls done her proud & all claimed N.Z. Titles. Left to Right Analiese Le Roy Junior Girls 5000 road Points Champ also Junior Relay gold, plus N.Z. Junior 1000 meter record. Samantha Michael 5 Individual Senior Golds & 2 Relay Golds, Plus won all 12 stages in the "Tour of Timaru", a great 2 weeks. Nicole Begg center red Helmet, at least her records remained intact. Dahna Penty maintained her sprint status, with a win in the Junior 200T/T road & 500 meters, with a new Junior 500 road record. Emily van der Heyden Intermediate, won all 3 Intermediate Grade road events, 200 T/T, 500 & 1,000 meters, done the fastest 200 T/T of all the ladies, followed up with a 3rd in the "Tour of Timaru" So great effort from the South Canterbury X-TECH Females.

South Canterbury Winners Overall Speed & Combined

2012-01-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

New Zealand Championships Held in Timaru South Canterbury January 2nd to 4th road, 5th, 6th & 7th January Indoor 100 meter track.

Road 52 Titles Primary under 9 years, Juvinile under 12 years, Junior under 15 years, Intermediate under 18 years, Senior over 18, Senior B over 18, but under 30, Masters + 30, + 40

18 South Canterbury Based at Timaru.
7 Wanganui.
7 Kapiti
7 Mt.Wellington Based in Auckland.
4 Christchurch
4 Manawatu Based in Palmerston North.
4 VISS Based in Hutt Valley, part of greater Wellington.
1 Blenheim.

Indoor 100 meter Track Titles 62

16 VISS
13 Mt. Wellington
9 South Canterbury
7 Wanganui
6 Manawatu
6 Christchurch
5 Kapiti.

For the first time in two decades a South Island club won the speed overall, with South Canterbury based at Timaru, having a first ever home championships winning the Overall top Speed Club for the first time. Also the overall combined Artistic & SpNew N.Z. Grade records 200 T/T roadeed points trophy.

South Canterbury out of the 92 events, 76 Individual & 16 relay events won 27 Gold, 28 Silver & 33 Bronze medals

Individual Titles South Canterbury Skaters.

Ella Benson Primary Girls 6 Titles 3 track & 3 Road. N.Z. grade records 200 T/T road 23.948 was previously 24.832, & 500 road 59.38 sec was previously 1.06.86

Leah McDonald Juvinile Girls 1 Title

Jan Kuepper Juvinile Boys 3 Titles

Nick Frame Juvinile Boys 2 Titles.

Dahna Penty Junior Girls 2 Titles. N.Z. grade record 500 meter road 48.741 sec,was previously 50.54 sec.

Analiese Le Roy Junior Girls 1 title. N.Z. Grade record 1,000 meters 1.47.132 was 1min 48.485, also 5,000 meter points road ( new event )

Emily van der Heyden Intermediate Ladies 3 titles.

Samantha Michael Senior Ladies 5 titles.

Relay 100 meter track Ladies pairs, Samantha Michael & Emily van der Heyden.

Relay 100 meter track Junior Mixed Fours, Analiese Le Roy, Leah McDonald, Guy McDonald, Jan Kuepper.

Relay Road Senior Ladies, Marie Kuepper, Emily van der Heyden, Samantha Michael.

Relay Road Junior Boys, Finley O'Connor, Jan Kuepper, Nick Frame, ( Record new event

Merry XMAS & Thanks

2011-12-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hi To all the World Speed Skating Fraternity, wherever you may be, we would like to wish you a Merry xmas & happy new year & may our sport prosper to grow bigger & stronger.

Special thanks to those people who finished one job & have eaten into their time off holiday time, to get the new skating rink completed for the Tour of Timaru, also many back at 9am boxing day morning, thats why we have such a strong community in South Canterbury & great support for the youth of the city to provide the best we can for them. As people are community minded.

Had a nice dinner last night with Nathan, Fiona & Millie, Nicole & Blair were there also, hope to catch up with grandson Shannon tonight. me & Cheryl just a cruisey day today by ourselves. With our big wish & hope that the Nuero surgeon on Thursday in Christchurch, can bring some good news & there is a cure for the problem.

Club Coaching structure & expertise

2011-12-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a new member of the South Canterbury speed skating coaching team, Ulla Kuepper will join the group.
With around 50 speed skaters in the club & around 30 to 40 at training sessions, its very important everyone is catered for.
With experienced Internationals & master Coaches Cheryl & Bill Begg able to pass on their vast knowledge, plus the Technical skills expertise of Nicole Begg, the enviroment is right for developing coaches.
Heather van der Heyden has been the club head coach for long periods during the absence of the Begg Family, While Alan O'Connor a former N.Z. Junior boys champion, is another of the more senior coaches.
Chrissy Clarke & Sonyia Ramsey came forward when we asked for those wishing to learn to become coaches & work with the younger members at speed training, but also instruct at the learn to skate progamme, along with Mark Lowen, Mike Miron, Lauren O'Connor, Graham Turnbull, Libby Benson, Lynn Henderson & some senior skaters. With this team of skaters Cheryl Begg will co-ordinate & alocate ability groups for the various coaches to oversee during the training sessions. To provide some good structural base for future developement & success.

2011-12-23T03:35:00.000-08:00

Nicole Begg wins Dijon World Inline cup, on her way to winning the overal WIC in 2011. Has been laid low since the 2011 World champs by a mysterious problem, which has finally been diagnosed after nearly 4 months as "Spinal Cord Syringohydromyelia" She will visit a Neurologist in Christchurch on Thursday to find out what can be done.

After being one of the worlds elite skaters for many years, it has been heartbreaking to see her incapable of doing anything other than basically walking & training totally out of the Question. but to visit so many so called specialists before one special man looked outside the square & order extra MRI scans on the spinal & nervous system, other than just the rib & chest area.

This is the trail of frustrating consultations

1/ Ortherpedic , could not help but thought Cartilidge problem.
2/ Physio , Not Sure what it was could do nothing.
3/ Osteopath, 3 to 4 visits, but honest & said sorry cant help.
4/ Sport Dunedin Doctor Twisted & pulled & recommended others would have to do it hard, the
recommended exercises would possibly have done irrepairable damage.
5/Next Christchurch for cat Scan Lung & heart & ECG lung capacity to rule out blood clots, &
said Diapham, Lung & Heart were not the problem.
6/ Muscular Skelatal specialist though a 3rd Layer of muscle around the abdomen could be the
problem area & ordered an MRI chest area Scan & Dye Spine MRI Scan
7/ Fleuroscopy test.
8/ Moving Xray test
9/ Special Doctor consulted ordered a Head Neck & Spinal MRI & thank god he did, as he felt
there could possibly be a problem with the nerve system & his hunch was right.

Thanks to Fence Rink Welders

2011-12-22T23:41:00.000-08:00

Job well done Welding crew Aaron Frame Nicks Dad & Jeff Frame Nicks grandad there Welding & Semi retiree Jeff great job of the two swing gates for on & off the rink, Bob Penty Dahna's Grandad, always there another Semi retiree, that is Mr on the go & fixer of problems. We have two new club members Family, who were welders Robyn Thomas Brooks dad & Renee Hewitts step Father Michael Rennie who apparently works with piping & some of the others said he was about 3 times as quick as they were. With 5 community minded guys giving it there best shot for the youth of the city, they knocked over a very big job quickly, with 3 railings completely around the uprights, it was a big job, Mark Lowen, Garth Le Roy, Aaron Frame & Nicole Begg attacked the fencing & got a third of the job Completed. While Liz, Libby, Nick & myself were all busy down there & Bruce busy painting over the Welds. training tomorrow 10am & another big working Bee & most will be done, the Polycarbonite clear fencing for the home straight arrived today also. Our thoughts with the Christchurch people, we really felt it & had to check the rink afterwards in case.

2011-12-15T22:31:00.000-08:00

Erin Hall one of the 9 club young Juvinile Girl skaters, racing for the first time at the N.Z. championship. It will be a big experience for young Erin, whose Parents Clint & Angela moved down from Hamilton 2 years ago. Younger brother Scott 6 will not race this years N.Z. champs but is sure to start in the " Tour of Timaru " E Grade event.

Erin Along with Jamie Atwill, Charlotte Grant & Charlotte Clarke are four first year Juviniles & have two more N.Z. Championship opportunities to follow, so will be racing to gain experience for the future & their day will come. Mya Nevin, Ayla Preston & Neve O'Connor will have one year more in the Juvinile Grade. While first time Nationals but last year Juviniles Leah McDonald & the Improving Newcomer Tyla Smith are likely to team with Sophia Lowen in the new Junior relay event & will have a good podium chance, as will Leah in the Individual events.

\

Tyla Smith Green Fingers

2011-12-15T04:55:00.000-08:00

Well Tyla Smith from Temuka has been having a big impact with her skating, specially her ability to get down low in the Power Position & is likely to force her way into the top junior road relay team with Sophie Lowen & Leah McDonald.

But like many of our other highly talented club members she has been gaining akowledgement for other successes. Tyla was in this weeks courier as the winner of the Temuka Primary School, Rotary School Garden award, so a very good effort.

Perhaps thats why Tyla is fit & strong & picking up speed skating so Quickly, It must be all her vegetables she is eating, so you young members start getting your gardens going.

2011-12-14T04:03:00.000-08:00

Training tonight 200 T/T & relays.qwwwqq

2011-12-14T03:23:00.000-08:00

Two Runs best time, Emily 21.37, Dahna 21.49, Guy 21.91, Samantha 22.30, Analiese 22.99, Michael 23.04, Cailee 23.78, Leah 23.78, Nick 24.22, Finn 24.46, Tyla 25.11, Boudine 26.23, Cougan 26.61, Neve 27.38, Charlotte C. 27.87, Ayla 28.18, Charlotte G. 28.53, Mya 28.99, Erin 29.56, Roshean 29.98. Well there will be interest in all the grades Any one of 6 Primary girls could win the Manawatu Pair Ocean Woolley & Serenity Griffiths have previous experience at nationals, but will come up against 4 South Canterbury Girls unknown by the north Island skaters, Ella Benson & Charli Nevin are very quick off the mark, with Stacy Ramsey & Roshean O'connor also likely to be contendors. The Juvinile Girls will see the same 9 South Canterbury skaters. The North Island skaters have never seen or raced. Monique Cleeve Wanganui, Olivia Mayhew Wellington & Mikayla Briggs Auckland & last years Primary Champion Nicole Grigg from Christcurch, may be considered the favourites, But Leah McDonald South Canterbury, is capable of Causing an upset. On past performances in Junior Dahna Penty & Intermediate Emily van der Heyden can put claim to being the favourites, but with Nicole Begg still not recovered from mystery medical problem a usual South Canterbury Victory in the Senior Ladies 200 T/T is unlikely, as it was not beyound the realms of possibility, that South Canterbury had the opportunity to win all girls grade 200T/T road time trials.

2011-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/sport/6135012/International-skaters-return-to-Timaru

Nice write up and Photo in Timaru Herald today on Skating

2011-12-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

South Canterbury skaters Leading Contendors

2011-12-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

Dahna Penty has won the Juvinile 300 T/T & last year was 2nd in the Junior behind club Team mate Emily Van der Heyden, when they were 1st & 2nd in the Junior N.Z. championship 200 T/T road Time Trial. Emily went on to win the Junior 300T/T on the bank track in Hastings, to beat a decade long record & be the 3rd fastet N.Z. female on the Bank Track.
With the champs at home Dahna who has recovered from Compartment syndrome operations on both legs, is now getting back to top form & a leading contendor to ein the Time Trial. Emily is now Intermediate & has the ability to win that grade also, so there will be much Interest in the first day at Levels, as all 4 Primary Girls on the road have a chance of winning, While Juvinile Boys is another grade where a good run could see gold to one of the Local skaters Jan-Hendrick or Nick, or can Cougan the Couger get them fast legs working & suprize, while Keaton first year up a grade, has not the same horsepower in the sprint at present.

Big competitive year for Club skaters

2011-12-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

For the first Time in History the N.Z. Indoor and Road championships along with Artistic will be held in Timaru. This could be the end of an Era, as Artistic and speed may seperate and go there different ways. The Indoor speed and Artistic will be held in Aorangi Stadium, the road racing Levels raceway, 2nd 3rd & 4th January, with the Indoor flat track 5th, 6th and 7th January.

In this unique year, the "Tour of Timaru" will be held from the 9th to 12th January, with Day 1 Monday the 9th at Lake Tekapo starting at 9am. C, D, E, grade plus Quads races at Tekapo Rink, after some road another series of races will be at 1 pm.

The Tuesday Morning will start at 10 am at Waimate Cycle track for A, B and C grades plus Quads BBQ Lunch at van der Heyden Farm Waimate Mid afternoon racing, with evening Caroline Bay rink.

Wednesday will get underway at the Rink 9am with flying 200 meters solo, also afternoon rink, with around 5.30 pm the steeplechase for the bigger grades at the brewery. with Social get together plus stage presentation.

Thursday the 12th will get underway at the rink at 10 am, with all stages at the rink. With Presentation at the rink.

Waimate Sports Carnival 28th January.

N.Z. Marathon champs Palmerston North 29th January.

With N.Z. Bank Track champs Blenheim 4th & 5th February.

South Canterbury open champs 24th, 25th March.

Canterbury Bank Track Champs 10th and 11th March, if O/K with Christchurch.

South Island Bank track champs Timaru 24th, 25th March.

Oceania Championships Timaru 6th, 7th Official practice, 8th, 9th & 10th Track, Marathon 12th

Proposed South East Asian Club Champs Indonesia, also Malaysia 7th to 15th July.

New Rink now in use Fast & Smooth Inside & Out

2011-12-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Timaru Herald Feature

2011-04-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

Get your skates on

Roller skating has been reborn in Timaru, with a $400,000 upgrade of the local rink about to begin. Features editor Claire Allison looks at how the renaissance of roller skating came about.

It began with one little girl who wanted to skate.

On Sundays, she'd go down to the South Canterbury Roller Skating Rink and have a go.

Then one day, rink caretaker Bruce Begg rang some of his relations and said they needed to come down and meet a girl who warranted some coaching.

Bruce was right. Three years later, Analise Le Roy was named third-best juvenile skater in New Zealand, and this year has advanced to junior grade.

In just a few short years, Timaru has made a name for itself again in roller skating circles. Analise is just one of a squad of promising young skaters to emerge from the district.

Bruce's relations have a bit to do with that. Sunday afternoon skating sessions in Timaru are unique in terms of who's doing the coaching. For one, there's world champion Nicole Begg. If that's not enough, there's also her mother Cheryl and father Bill – both champion skaters and coaches themselves.

In Timaru, however, world-class coaching doesn't come at world-class prices. The Sunday sessions cost $2 – or $5 including skate hire. Skaters moving from learn-to-skate sessions to the speed skating squad benefit from a lease pool of skates – meaning parents aren't required to pay up front for a pair of speed skates – especially while their child's feet are still growing.

The Beggs never imagined the response. In just two years, club membership surged from 15 to 180. The number of children skating on Sunday afternoons rapidly swelled to around 100; the speed skating squad started off with nine, but soon numbered nearly 50.

Cheryl says they began with nine speed-skating hopefuls. The rest of the squad has come through the learn-to-skate sessions. More coaches were needed, and parents and former skaters were roped in and trained.

Alan O'Connor is one of those. He was a competitive skater in the 1960s and 70s, a New Zealand junior champion.

Now the father of four young children, he's bringing them down to the rink and helping out with coaching.

Calvin Gabites is another name from the past who has come back to skating, and is a Tour of Timaru sponsor. He represented New Zealand in the mid-1980s, but hung up his skates in the early 1990s when inline skates came into vogue. He decided he wasn't prepared to change his style,

These days, he'll skate around the rink on his quads for a bit of exercise – Bill interjects that the kids on their inline skates will be whizzing past him.

"I'd still look at competing if they had a quads race – I've still got the skill and strength to do it," Calvin says.

But the name most often associated with roller skating in Timaru is Begg. While Bill, Cheryl and Nicole have mostly made their name overseas, back home, Bill's siblings – Bruce, as caretaker, Linda as president, and Judith as secretary – have been quietly keeping the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club and the rink going. The fact the facility still exists at all is testament to their presence and their efforts.

Nicole's efforts at the rink are a way of giving back to the sport she has been involved in at the highest possible level – a level that means she could probably be charging an arm and a leg and spare kidney for her time. So why do it – to all intents and purposes – for free?

"I love it. I like seeing other people gain enjoyment from it. You see the kids coming down here and they are skating around for hours. When I was a kid, that's what I used to do. It's giving everyone the opportunity to do it, not just a certain few who can afford it."

Nicole says she likes seeing the kids who have perhaps only taken part in music or dance classes, who haven't quite fitted into team sports, start to show the competitive edge that speed skating requires.

"This isn't a passive sort of sport. You've got to have a bit of go in you. I enjoy seeing the kids out there giving things a go, having a good attitude, and not just sitting at home on the Playstation."

The learner skaters start off in the middle of the rink with Cheryl. The incentive is to work their way through the five-stage star programme and make their way to the outside of the rink to speed skate with Nicole.

And while Nicole was one of the few girls among the boy speed skaters, the roles are reversed now, and the rink is awash with girls – and just a few boys. The boys, says Nicole, are there because they want to go fast. Some of the girls want to do that too, but skating for them is also about being social. And there could be a bit of aspiration there too, with petite blonde Nicole an on-the-spot example of what can be achieved.

The irony is that there are more people roller skating now than there have been for decades. And the rink is, as Bill says, probably in the worst condition it has been in for decades. What tree roots haven't achieved, earthquakes have. There are cracks, the surface is hard on skin when skin connects, the clubrooms are well overdue for replacement – the seating had to be hastily improved because suddenly there were parents to sit and spectate.

But with the wannabe skating children came their parents. And from the parents came a new influx of enthusiasm and energy into the committee.

"We realise nothing happens unless you have a lot of people involved who are all working to their strengths. So we've identified those people, they have accepted responsibility and now we have got a very smooth-running machine, and people can see the potential."

The proof is in the pudding. Within a year, the club raised $400,000 to resurface and extend the track, and that work is about to begin.

The badly cracked 166-metre track – built in 1974 – will be demolished, and an international 200m bitumen banked track installed.

The work won't end there. Development co-ordinator Mark Lowen says fundraising is continuing toward plans to put an international standard coating on the track, develop the area surrounding the track, the seating area, replace the clubrooms.

Their latest fundraiser is a "buy a square" of the new rink – giving supporters the chance to win a share of a prize pool and have their name displayed on the rink for prosperity.

While Mark is now supporting his daughter's efforts and helping out with coaching, his first skating experience didn't bode well. "The first skates I ever had had the metal frames that you strapped on to the soles of your shoes, with the four wheels in the quad. I nailed the wheels on to a bit of an apple box and that was my first skateboard."

But after heading down to the rink for a while, he strapped on a new pair of inline skates and had a go.

"And the next minute I was coaching the learn-to-skate."

His daughter is probably reasonably typical of some of the children who have taken up the Sunday afternoon skating opportunity offered by the Beggs.

"We'd bought her some skates, but it took her a year before she even wanted to let go of our arms. She was doing ballet, and I initially wanted to get her into soccer, but looking at her on the football field, she looked more like a ballerina than a footballer."

Mark admits that before reading an article about the learn-to-skate sessions, he probably hadn't even realised the rink was there.

And while there are injuries and scraped skin, he says the kids take it in their stride.

"They get patched up and they are straight back out there."

Bill, the big-picture man, wants to see Timaru host the World Inline Speed Skating Championships in 2015. If he succeeds, it will be the first time the country has hosted the event since 1989, when they were held in Hastings.

He sees a bright future for roller skating in Timaru, with skaters having real potential to compete at national and international level and win medals.

"They can be top from little old Timaru. It's already happening, We've got three of the 11 in the girls' team, and one in the boys' team for the Oceania champs."

That success has been based on a 36-year-old cracked and lumpy track. In a few months' time – the new track should be completed in July – local skaters will have the benefit of training on an international standard track, and Bill's confident Timaru's performance will only get better.

"Murray Deaker had both Nicole and me on his show – he asked how come a little old place like Timaru can raise that kind of money? I said it's because we are doing the right thing in the community, that's why."

Retro Roller Disco

2011-03-22T00:33:00.001-07:00

Timaru Herald Story

2011-03-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

Emily van der Heyden: In line for world arena

STU PIDDINGTON/ The Timaru Herald

HOT WHEELS: Inline skater Emily van der Heyden may soon be on the world stage if she keeps up her rapid improvement.

Waimate inline skater Emily van der Heyden has proved she is the best junior girl skater in New Zealand and could also be a bolter for the Junior World Speedskating Championships in Korea.

In the 300m junior time trial at the New Zealand Bank Track Championships in Hastings, van der Heyden clocked 30.266 seconds, taking 0.84sec off the 2002 record.

In fact, only senior skaters Nicole Begg and Mexican Daniela Rosales, in 29.861sec, were faster than the 14-year-old.

Van der Heyden's rise to the top has been extraordinary, the teenager having started skating only three years ago.

Just 11 months ago, on the same Hastings track, she finished 16th out of 22 in a time of 33.016sec at the Junior Oceania Championships.

That race was won by Renee Nyman in a time of 30.297sec, so van der Heyden has also eclipsed her time.

Much interest will now centre on the selections for the world championships.

The age criterion has moved out to 20, from 18, but van der Heyden, who turns 15 in October, has proven better than other older competitors on a number of occasions.

Her coach, Cheryl Begg, said van der Heyden just gets better with every competition.

"She just goes up another level and the harder the competition, the better she is."

Begg said once the new track is laid on Caroline Bay there will no stopping van der Heyden.

"Then she will really learn how to go fast."

On her form the New Zealand selectors would have trouble looking past her.

The weather caused the biggest headache in Hastings, with only the 300m time trial and the 10,000m open points elimination races for men and women completed before the championships were abandoned.

Of the 14 races decided, South Canterbury and Whanganui shared the honours in winning three titles each.

Former world champion Nicole Begg broke her own records in the open ladies 300m with a 29.011sec effort. She also had a comfortable win in the the open 10,000m points elimination race, lapping the field with training partner Samantha Michael.

Two of the top men in the recent Tour of Timaru were also among the medals. Hutt Valley youngster Ollie Jones took out the open men's 10,000 points elimination while Antony Nalder won the senior men's 300m time trial with 26.338sec.

Timaru Herald Story

2011-03-08T00:21:00.000-08:00

Big plans for new track

STU PIDDINGTON/The Timaru Herald

ON TRACK: Mark Lowen and Nicole Begg at the South Canterbury Rollerskating Club.

Timaru will soon have another international sporting venue with confirmation the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club will start work on an international 200 metre track at Caroline Bay in April.

The club has raised $312,000 and is confident it will be able to add the further $90,000 needed over the next six months.

Stage one of the project is to demolish the outdated and badly cracked 166-metre track and lay a bitumen banked track.

The new track will cost just under $330,000 and the balance of the money will be used to move the club rooms and brick wall at the western end to make way for the extension of the track.

Development co-ordinator Mark Lowen said it was great to think work would start just over a year from when they started fundraising.

"The state of the track is dangerous for speed skating so it will be great to have a new facility next season."

Major donors to the project are the Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury ($100,000), Timaru District Council ($50,000), Southern Trust ($50,000), Pub Charities ($20,000) and Trust Aoraki ($11,000), plus donations from service clubs and other supporters.

The club has also raised about $50,000 from such events as raffles, firewood and garage sales, and sausage sizzles.

Lowen said they had launched a raffle which they hoped would raise a further $20,000. He said there had been a lot of enthusiasm for the project.

Inline skating in Timaru has long been synonymous with the Begg family and for years they flew the flag alone.

But the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club has been revitalised over the past two years, with a hardworking committee and a speedskating team that has produced two age-group New Zealand representatives. The club now boasts more than 120 members.

The dramatic change came two years ago after 21-year-old former world champion, Nicole Begg, offered free lessons at the almost forgotten track, along with her mother, Cheryl, who also won world titles.

Since then, new life has been breathed into the facility and the revival is almost complete with up to 100 casual users skating on Sunday afternoons, and Friday night club skating.

A serious speed skating group has also been training hard with the Beggs and some of that group appear to have the potential to represent New Zealand over the next few years.

A Tour of Timaru event has also been re-introduced and has drawn large numbers of competitors, including top skaters from the North Island.

Bill Begg, Nicole's father and a renowned international coach, said it would be superb to see a world-class facility in Timaru.

"It will be the best in Australasia and we will be able to offer all sorts of events, as well as an off-season training facility for those in the northern hemisphere."

Begg is working on his global contacts in the sport in the hope Timaru could host the World Inline Speed Skating Championships in 2015.

He has already had informal talks with International Federation of Roller Sports secretary Roberto Marotta and he believes the time is right to bring the championships back to New Zealand, after Hastings in 1989.

With over 50 countries competing and each country allowed up to eight skaters in each division, there would be real benefits for Timaru, he said.

Timaru's original speed skating track was built alongside the memorial walkway in 1963 but had to be relocated with the construction of the Port Loop Rd.

After much debate a location was finally accepted by the club and the council and in 1974 the bank track facility was built.

Thank You Southern Trust

2011-02-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

Last week the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club received a $50,000 grant from the Southern Trust to go towards our new track. That has boosted our funding meter so thank you Southern Trust.

Tour of Timaru

2011-01-29T03:50:00.000-08:00

Photos thanks to Raph Preston

Timaru Herald Story

2011-01-24T00:16:00.001-08:00

World-class pair claim honours

STU PIDDINGTON

No surprise winners emerged in the six-day Tour of Timaru, with the field's two world-class inline skaters taking the A-grade titles.

Palmerston North's Peter Michael and home-town inline skating star Nicole Begg took the honours, with Begg unbeaten in the 11 stages that covered all distances from a two-lap time-trial to a marathon.

Michael looked on track for a clean sweep till a stumble cost him in the 500m flying laps when he overcooked a corner and Upper Hutt's Anthony Nalder snatched the win.

Kapiti's Josh Whyte came out on top in the 8km elimination race, but Michael appeared to have eased off in standing up, allowing Nalder second and 14-year-old Ollie Jones third.

Nalder finished second overall in the tour, while Hutt Valley's Ollie Jones and Kapiti's Josh Whyte tied for third after only a point separated them going into the marathon.

Both talented young skaters appear on track for their first world junior championships in Korea this year.

In the women's section, Begg collected the maximum 220 points, with Palmerston North's Samantha Michael second. Third place went to the wire, with Livia Meier, Tegan Roffe, Stephanie Challis, Renee Nyman and Waimate's Emily van der Heyden all in with chance of claiming third overall.

Whanganui's Nyman managed to get enough points to pip the others in the marathon.

The junior titles went to Jones and van der Heyden. Both 14-year-olds look set to become key skaters for New Zealand and van der Heyden's second place in the 500m and 1000m ahead of the country's best women was one of the tour highlights.

At the New Zealand marathon championships raced yesterday at the Timaru International Motor Raceway, Begg took her 120th senior title easily, while Michael cleaned up the men. Swiss marathon champion Livia Meier finished second to Begg, with Michael third.

In the men's section, Nalder was again second to Michael while Kierryn Hughes, who flew from Hamilton for the event, was third.

The tour is going from strength to strength, with 68 skaters doubling the numbers from 2010.

It looks set to increase again next year as it will be held straight after the New Zealand Inline Championships in Christchurch. The South Canterbury Roller Skating Club is hopeful it will have a new world class 200m outdoor track ready.

Tour of Timaru A Men 2 lap Time Trial

2011-01-22T18:05:00.002-08:00

Photos thanks to Raph Preston

Tour of Timaru A Ladies 2 lap Time Trial

2011-01-22T02:29:00.001-08:00

Photo's thanks to Raph Preston

Timaru Herald Story

2011-01-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

Begg, Michael put in world-class displays

STU PIDDINGTON

ON TRACK: Timaru's Laura Kuepper is totally focused in the B-grade pursuit qualifying in the Tour of Timaru at the Caroline Bay skating rink.

Nicole Begg and Peter Michael continue to lead inline skating's Tour of Timaru after stages five and six.

Both remained unbeaten after the pursuit and 10,000m points finals at the Caroline Bay rink last night.

Begg and Michael put in world-class displays collecting the maximum 41 points by winning the sprints on each of the three laps, leaving the other skaters to fight for the minor places.

Wayne Begg destroyed the men's field after he started at break-neck speed before pulling out after three of the 60 laps.

As the others chased his start, the field blew apart and only Upper Hutt's Anthony Nalder stayed with Michael picking up early points.

As Michael cruised ahead, lapping the field at the halfway mark, 14-year-old Ollie Jones battled with Kapiti's Josh Whyte for second after reeling in Nalder.

Jones looked to have it wrapped up but Whyte scored a point on each of the final four sprints to tie with Jones on nine points.

Whyte was then awarded second as he finished ahead of Jones across the finish with Nalder fourth as the only other competitor to have scored points.

Begg was just as dominant in the women's A-grade, leaving Upper Hutt's Stephanie Challis to fight with Samantha Michael, of Palmerston North, for the minor placings.

Challis did enough to finish second with 12 points, two ahead of Michael after a great battle.

The pursuit final was also one-way traffic with Michael catching Nalder in the 1000m race.

Jones and Whyte had a excellent race for third with Whyte getting up late to win.

Begg all but caught Michael in the women's final but again the race for third was an exciting one, with commentator Bill Begg almost losing his voice as the tension grew.

Waimate rising star Emily van der Heyden qualified fourth but sneaked home ahead of Palmerston North's Tegan Roffe for third.

The 14-year-old van der Heyden was spurred home by an enthusiastic crowd.

The action returns to the rink tonight with 1000m and 12,000m finals before shifting to Waimate tomorrow for a flying 400m time trial, the 800m and 8000m.

Timaru Herald Story

2011-01-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

World champion a headline act

STU PIDDINGTON

Reigning world champion Peter Michael is one of the headline acts as the second annual Tour of Timaru starts tonight at the Caroline Bay skating rink.

The tour has attracted double the number of starters this year and includes the vast majority of medals winners from the New Zealand Skating Championships, with 52 of the 58 titleholders in attendance.

Home-town hero Nicole Begg is expected to dominate the 16-strong A-grade women's field while Michael is the favourite in the men's field of 18.

Begg is the defending champion after a skim board accident on Caroline Bay took Michael out of contention last year.

However, he returns to Timaru a world champion after being part of a successful Kiwi 5000m team in Colombia where he smoked the world champion in the finish straight in front of thousands of the disbelieving home-town fans.

The world champion's main competition will come from Antony Nalder and youngster Ollie Jones from Upper Hutt while Wayne Begg will also ensure he does not take the title easily.

Jones especially is marked as a star of the future.

Intermediate grade skaters Josh White of Kapiti and Mark MacDonald of Christchurch have also stepped up into the A-grade.

With the increase in numbers this year, the men and women have been separated while Germany's Michael Emile and Salome Bader will add some international flavour to the field with Swiss marathon champion Livia Meier.

Meier is a former professional team-mate of Begg while Bader is an exchange student who delayed her return home to compete in the tour.

Also likely to feature in the women's races is the juvenile girls' national champion, Juda Kelly from Whanganui, who has moved up to senior.

Locals Emily van der Heyden and Dahna Penty should also feature in the six-day tour along with Michael's sister Samantha.

She intends to stay on in Timaru after the racing to revitalise her world aspirations, training with Begg.

Another to watch will be Stephanie Challis of Upper Hutt. Challis dominated the intermediate dominated track events at the nationals and was placed in open events.

She has stepped up and posted a serious challenge to Begg in the long track events and is sure to be a member of the junior world team this year.

Three-times world junior representative Renee Nyman from Whanganui could be a surprise package.

Tegan Roffe of Palmerston North is a much improved senior and is sure to test the field.

Most of the racing will take place at Caroline Bay skating rink but the competitors will also race in Waimate on Saturday on the 400m cycle track and a steeple chase will take place around DB Mainland Brewery on Wednesday night.

The tour will wrap up with the New Zealand Inline Marathon Championships.

Tour of Timaru, Tuesday's Program

2011-01-16T00:21:00.000-08:00

The Tour of Timaru starts this Tuesday and we have 68 skaters registered. Competitors can pick up their race packs from the WHEELZ shop, 90 Stafford St on Tuesday from 12pm onwards or at the rink Tuesday night. Here is Tuesday's program.

NZ National Champs Update

2010-12-31T18:09:00.001-08:00

This morning the South Canterbury Club had a great start to the 2011 National Championships coming away with 7 medals from the first session. All the club members skated really well and showed that all the hard work they have been putting in is paying off.

The highlight of this morning session was SC club skaters going one, two in the Junior girls 200m time trial. Emily won the national title and Dahna was a close second. Analiese came in 8th and Laura 13th who are both first year in that grade.

Sophie was 3rd in the Juvenile girls time trial. In the Juvenile boys category Nick just missed out on a medal finishing in 4th and Jan competing at his first ever National Championships came in 6th.

Keaton and Jonathon both picked up silvers in the Primary and Junior boys grades.

Nicole Begg won both the time trial and the 5km open Ladies points race. Marie came in 5th place in the senior ladies time trial with a great first one hundred meter time.

Tour of Timaru Poster

2010-12-27T00:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T15:41:00.001-08:00

Boys at League Day

2010-12-20T00:34:00.000-08:00

League Day pictures of the boys, photo's thanks to Raph.

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Otago Daily Times

2010-12-20T00:08:00.001-08:00

Here is an article from the Otago Daily Times.

Begg keen to see more getting their skates on

Former inline speed skating world champion Nicole Begg hopes the sport, with a little help, will regenerate in the South.

The diminutive 22-year-old caused a media maelstrom when she posed nude in 2007 to help raise the profile of her sport.

Now, the Timaru skater is using that profile to help start the sport in Dunedin. She was in Dunedin over the weekend to compete at an event and told the Otago Daily Times an attempt to revive the sport was under way.

Roller skating had been in the doldrums for the past 20 years but former competitive skater Brett McCormack was leading an effort to get it running in the city again, she said.

"They've got a club started up again and they have been travelling to Timaru to train with us," Begg explained.

"So we decided, since they are supporting us, we'd come down and support the club and try to get something happening down here, because then the whole of the South Island gets stronger."

Begg moved home to Timaru from Auckland in 2004 and helped re-established a skating club in the city.

From humble beginnings of three skaters the club has expanded to have a membership of more than 200 skaters.

"A lot of those are speed skaters, so that's another 40 or so speed skaters in the country, which is huge," she said.

"It's still hard for minor sports in New Zealand to get things, but a few years ago I did the nude pictures and people still ask me about that now. That really did bring a lot of coverage to the sport and suddenly people knew it existed and soon they were interested in it."

Begg has had a mixed year in terms of results.

She missed out on a medal at the World Championships for the first time in six years but won "two of the biggest marathon events" in the world.

Begg competes on the professional circuit in Europe and Asia for six months of the year and races under a sponsor's name, rather than under the New Zealand banner.

She makes a modest living but it is a lifestyle she enjoys immensely.

"I definitely don't do it for the money. When I started, I had to sleep in cars and on hotel floors of other people's rooms. I really had to scrimp to get by. But then you make a name for yourself and you start getting sponsored. But I do it because I love it and if I really wanted to make money I would have been down here at university."

League Day Pictures

2010-12-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures from the League day in Timaru. Photo's thanks to Raph.

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Girls at League Day, Timaru

2010-12-17T23:02:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had a League Day in Timaru with some great racing. Here are some of the girls just having fun. Photo's thanks to Raph.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

League Day, Timaru

2010-12-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had a league day at the Timaru SBS stadium with some great racing between South Canterbury, Christchurch and Dunedin skaters. Photo's thanks to Raph.

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Timaru Christmas Parade 2010

2010-12-10T14:50:00.001-08:00

Here is a slide show from the Timaru Christmas Parade 2010 congradulations to the SC Club for 3rd best float. Pictures thanks to Raph.

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Speed Training 2nd December

2010-12-04T23:54:00.001-08:00

Speed training at the rink.

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Pot Luck Club Night Dinner

2010-12-04T22:52:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,
What a great night Friday 3rd December was with our Pot Luck Dinner. A great night had by all and lots of yummy food.
A super gingerbread house made by the Kuepper family. There was some debate about doing a full size house.

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Opening Ceremony Masters Games Timaru 2010

2010-10-26T18:41:00.001-07:00

A big thank you to the skaters that took part in the opening ceremony of the Masters Games it was really great.
Also thanks to Raph Preston for the photos

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South Island Masters Games, Sat 16th Oct

2010-10-18T18:28:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone for a great day. The competitors, the officials, the BBQ helpers and the very boisterous crowd.
For the obstacle course you had to wear PINK, even the men. So that is why there is alot of pink in the pictures.
The winning relay team wants to stay together for the next masters in 2 years time. That is fine but the rules can get tweeked before the start of the race.
It was a fun day had by all.

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Area Championships Nelson 2nd Oct 2010

2010-10-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Heather for the photos.

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Old School

2010-10-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Browsing through some old skating pictures online I came across some pictures that feature Timaru and the track that we still skate on. I also found some familiar faces.

Tour of Timaru 1979
I think you will be able to recognise our club rooms that still stand and the grandstand seating. That grandstand has been there for more than 31 years so I think it was a wise move to tape it off.

Tour of Timaru 1979
There were even cracks back then, unfortunately they are still there plus a few extra.

Can anyone recognise who that is leading the pack at the NZ Champs? Nice handlebars!

NZ 500m Championships, Timaru.

Tour of Timaru back in the day.

Area Championships Nelson 2nd Oct 2010

2010-10-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a summary of what happened at the Area Championships for the people that were not able to be there.

First of all I would like say thank you to the fantastic South Canterbury parent support that we had at the competition. Also to the Kuepper family for all of the family being there supporting the skaters. The O'Connor family for taking time out from their holiday to watch some of the racing and also Cougans and Boudines grandparents. Heathers rent a crowd family did not get to see any racing unfortunately but good to see them again.

I will summarise what each skater won and their best performance or attributes:

Emily Van der Heyden
Junior girls: 2 gold, 1 silver
Relays: 4 gold
Emily would have had a clean sweep of the junior girls races but unfortunately she had a fall in one race but got up very quickly and was then at the back of the field. But with alot of guts managed to take out 2nd place in the race.

Analiese Le Roy
Junior girls: 1 silver, 2 bronze
Relays: 3 gold, 1 bronze
Analises best race of her life was getting 2nd to Emily in the Time Trial. The start is the most important thing in a time trial and Analiese had great starts all day.

Sophie Lowen
Juvenile Girls: 3 gold
Relays: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Even though Sophie won all her grade races the most outstanding race for her was the Junior girls relay where she skated her heart out and was the only juvenile girl out of the 6 girls racing in the relay and more than held her ground to help the girls win the gold medal.

Nick Frame
Juvenile Boys: 2 gold, 1 bronze
Relays: 3 gold, 1 bronze
Nicks best race even though he won the grade races was the Junior Open race where he was with the bunch for 20 laps, a really gutsy effort.

Keaton Swindells
Primary Boys: 3 gold
Keaton showed his strength of not giving up by having to race the primary girl Nicole Gigg and winning the close competition between them.

Jonathon Swindells
Junior Boys: 2 gold, 1 silver
Relays: 4 gold
Jonathon was a very strong anchor and a good leader for the relays he was involved in.

Boudine Brown
Juvenile Girls: 3 silver
Relays: 1 silver, 1 bronze
Boudine raced very consistantly and strong for her first area champs.

Cougan Brown
Juvenile Boys: Relays: 2 silver
Cougan had an injury over the weekend but he showed really great spirit and raced the relays so that other people could race and get medals.

Jan-Hendrick Kuepper
Juvenile Boys: Relays: 1 gold, 2 silver
For Jan it is his first year in juvenile so a huge learning experience. He was a very
valuable relay team member.

Marie-Christin Kuepper
Senior Ladies: 3 gold.
Marie won all 3 races with a really consistant and reliable effort and a very good learning experience for her. Did really well in the Senior Open getting in amongst the masters men.

RELAYS
Relays show the depth that a club has and we had plenty of that, we won all the relays we contested. It was an awesome effort and 90% of the changes were nearly perfect so a very big congradulations to all the skaters that were in the relays. Also having the relay bibs at the competition was really great as there was no running around at the last minute looking for matching t shirts and the kids were asking to wear them so they are a great success. All the South Canterbury Teams looked very professional in the relays.

Junior Mixed Team 1600m:
1st South Canterbury, 2nd South Canterbury
Junior Mixed Pairs 1200m:
1st South Canterbury, 2nd Christchurch, 3rd South Canterbury
Junior Boys Pairs 1200m:
1st South Canterbury, 2nd South Canterbury
Junior Girls Pairs 1200m:
1st South Canterbury, 2nd Christchurch, 3rd South Canterbury
Junior Boys Team 1500m:
1st South Canterbury
Junior Girls Team 1500m:
1st South Canterbury, 2nd Christchurch

It goes to show that all the time we have spent cleaning the stadium floor before practice has paid off. Again an awesome weekend and everyone can be very proud of the 100% effort that they showed in the races and especially the relays.

Thanks for a very rewarding weekend.
Cheryl Begg

Having fun at Regional Champs 28th Aug

2010-09-26T20:58:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 22.08.10

2010-09-02T21:44:00.001-07:00

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Nicole HEHA Active Mentor

2010-08-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

This year Nicole Begg joined with the HEHA team (Healthy Eating Healthy Action) to help promote BEING ACTIVE. This is a chance for Nicole to help encourage the youth of our district to lead healthier and more active lives.
Here is the cover and a page from the June South Canterbury HEHA Newsletter. The newsletter features a nice photo of club members Nicole and Sam on the cover along with other members in the group shot.

Learn to Skate 25.07.10

2010-08-05T21:06:00.001-07:00

More photos of Learn to Skate on Sunday 25th July incorporating our Open Day at the rink. Great photos thanks to Phillip Stringer

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Round Table 8 Add to Rink Fund

2010-07-31T22:11:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday night Nicole spoke at a Round Table evening in Timaru and Round Table 8 donated $1000 towards the new rink fund. We really appreciate the donation, thank you.

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Get Well Soon Dahna

2010-07-30T15:22:00.001-07:00

Get well soon Dahna. Can't wait until you are back on skates going fast and skating without pain.

Video Club Champs 18.07.10

2010-07-26T21:27:00.001-07:00

Primary Girls and Boy 2 laps

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Learn to Skate 25.07.10

2010-07-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 25/07

2010-07-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photo's from yesterdays open day and learn to skate.

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Open Day

2010-07-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

Great day yesterday at our open day, learn to skate and public session. Unfortunately speed training had to be cancelled because the track was too wet but the bad weather didn't stop huge numbers from turning up for the open day.

We had 80 people out there on skates yesterday, WOW! Nicole ended up signing 95 postcards, the sausage sizzle went down a treat and the fudge sold out. Proceeds from the day are going towards funding the new track and we are nearly half way there. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped out.

Here are a few video clips from the day and there will be pictures to follow.

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Video Club Champs 18.07.10

2010-07-25T16:10:00.001-07:00

Junior Girls and Junior Boy 500m.

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Club Champs 18.7.10 Presentations

2010-07-25T03:44:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Phillip Stringer for the photos

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Video Club Champs 18.07.10

2010-07-24T17:09:00.001-07:00

Juvenile Boys 500m. Again video thanks to Alison Ellis

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Video Club Champs 18.07.10

2010-07-22T21:11:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Alison Ellis for taking the video. More to follow.
Tiny Tot girls 2 laps (Watch Eden waving to Nicole on the first corner, priceless)
Tiny Tot Girls 1 lap
Novice A
Novice B

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Timaru Herald 22/7/2010

2010-07-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Nicole rolls back into town

By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald

Speedskater Nicole Begg is back in Timaru for a mid-season break from northern hemisphere competition but has Colombia on her mind.

The 23-year-old has been based in Europe since February and now has almost a month at home before heading off again in a buildup to the World Inline Championships in South America in October.

"It's nice to be back home among family and friends and I am only missing one race of any significance."

Begg has been competing with success in both the World Inline Cup marathon and track series and sits second overall in the marathon behind Colombian Cecilia Baena and leads the track series, having missed the podium only once in 10 events.

Her racing has been somewhat harder without a team around her for support this year but the former world champion's new Chinese sponsor X-Tech was keen for the exposure in Europe.

Begg is unlikely to hold her standings, however, as her next stop is a world-class training venue in China to prepare for the worlds, which is her main focus for the year.

She is hoping to add to her two previous titles and is likely again to be the only skater to race in every event from the 500m upwards.

Conditions in Colombia will certainly test Begg with Guarne, the host city, at 2150m above sea level and the altitude could have an effect on her performance as she has never raced at anywhere near that height.

"I've been to St Moritz plenty of times but it's way below that," she said.

Begg leaves on August 16 and will compete in the Asian Inline Cup and possibly a WIC marathon in Korea, which only a two-hour flight from where she is based.

Her programme may however be adjusted to ensure she does not hand the Colombians, who are a powerhouse in skating, too much of an advantage.

While at home Begg is largely keeping off the skates. Instead she will focus on building up the kilometres on bike, gymnasium work and off-skate plyometrics.

She will also spend time coaching the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club speed squad which has grown tenfold in the last two seasons.

"I'm really happy how much they have improved," she said.

She will also attend a learn-to-skate session at the Caroline Bay rink this Sunday afternoon at 2pm and no doubt will spend time signing autographs for her growing number of fans.

Also on her agenda is helping to fundraise for the new $455,000 track.

Learn to Skate 18.07.10

2010-07-19T22:04:00.001-07:00

Special thanks to Sophie and Analiese for helping with the beginners and skate star 1 classes

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South Canterbury Club Champs Sunday 18.7.10

2010-07-18T00:40:00.001-07:00

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South Canterbury Club Champs Sunday 18.7.10

2010-07-17T22:57:00.001-07:00

Great photo from Mellanie of the crowd. Great day had by all and lots of new speed skaters in the making.

South Canterbury Club Champs Sunday 18.7.10

2010-07-17T22:54:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Mellanie Brown (Logannes mum) for the photos. They are great.

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Timaru Herald Article 17/7/10

2010-07-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

On track for new skating rink

By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald

FREEZING FUN: Inline skating has been revived in South Canterbury and the Caroline Bay rink is set to be replaced. But even cold winter nights have not kept keen skaters away.

The South Canterbury Roller Skating Club is almost halfway towards the $455,000 it needs to put down a new track at its Caroline Bay headquarters.

The club has been revitalised over the past two years with an active committee, a speedskating team that has produced two age-group New Zealand representatives, and now boasts more than 120 members.

The dramatic change came two years ago after 21-year-old former world champion, Nicole Begg, offered free lessons at the almost forgotten track.

Since then new life has been breathed into the facility and the revival is almost complete with up to a 100 casual users skating on sunny Sunday afternoons, with Friday night club skating and speed training in-between.

Stage one of the project is to demolish the old 166-metre, cracked and outdated track and lay a new international-sized, 200m bitumen banked track.

The new track will cost just under $330,000 while the balance of the money will be used to move the club rooms and brick wall at the western end to make way for the extension of the track.

The club has raised $205,000 so far.

The major donors are the Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury ($100,000), the Timaru District Council ($50,000) and gaming machine trust Pub Charities($20,000).

The club has reserves of $27,000 which are being put towards the project while Mt Harper Ice Rink trustees has given $8000.

Club spokesperson Mark Lowen is delighted by the progress so far and hopes the track will be laid before next winter.

He said a new track was essential because cracks in the surface have made the track dangerous and were getting bigger as water got into them and froze.

"It's beyond fixing and the numbers we have attending both competitive and recreational skating mean it will be a well-used facility in both summer and winter."

Mr Lowen said that while the revival started with 21-year-old Begg there was now a solid base of parents to take the sport forward.

He was delighted with the support the club had received but was keen to hear from anyone else interested in helping.

The club has two additional stages planned: resurface the rink with the coatings that they use at the world championships, at a cost of $100,000 to $120,000, and build new clubrooms.

Tomorrow the club will hold its first championships in more than a decade with more than 50 skaters expected to compete indoors at the SBS Events Centre.

Next Sunday there will an open day at the Caroline Bay rink from 2pm with Begg showing her skills while on a break from racing.

South Canterbury Club Champs

2010-07-15T16:35:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

On Sunday 18th July we will be holding the South Canterbury Skating Club Championships. They are being held at the SBS Stadium on Morgans Road. The warm up is at 10am and racing will start at 10.30am.

We have 38 entries from our club alone. This is an awesome amount.
The grades with big numbers which will create exciting racing are:
Novice A with 6 skaters
Tiny Tot Girls 4 skaters
Primary Girls 6 skaters
Juvenile Girls 5 skaters
Junior Girls 4 skaters
Junior Boys 4 skaters.

It is going to be a real exciting day as some of the skaters have never raced before so a good competition to get them started.
Cheers Cheryl

Happy Birthday Dahna

2010-07-07T05:37:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY DAHNA

from everyone at the South Canterbury Club

If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges.

Learn to Skate 4.07.10

2010-07-05T21:48:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 27.06.10

2010-06-28T21:21:00.001-07:00

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Skater Of The Week

2010-06-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Name: Charli Nevin

Date of Birth: 23rd April 2004

What school do you go to: St Josephs

When did you start skating: When I was about 4 years old

What do you enjoy most about skating: Spin the bottle, playing games

What has been your biggest skating achievement so far: Getting my speed skates

Who is your role model and why: Cheryl because she makes fun and teaches me lots.

Speed training 20th June

2010-06-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 13th June 2010

2010-06-15T20:45:00.001-07:00

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Get Well Soon Jonathon

2010-06-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Jonathon has fractured his foot by being hit by a hockey ball. So he will not be able to skate for at least 5 weeks. So please make a speedy recovery.

Happy Birthday

2010-06-12T02:18:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SOPHIE
From all the members of the South Canterbury Club.
May your bright smile give us joy for many more birthdays to come.

Christmas Parade

2010-06-10T07:05:00.001-07:00

Forgot to put this online earlier. It's the wrong season but brings back good memories, enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rink Upgrade

2010-06-09T04:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago as our club numbers started growing and skating was revived in South Canterbury we started looking at the prospect of a new skating facility. We now have over 160 club members but our current track is deteriorating rapidly.

The council confirmed yesterday they would chip in $50,000 towards the project. A few weeks ago we were approved a grant for $100,000 from The Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust and the club has some funds aside also, so it's starting to look good.

Here is an article from the Timaru Herald, click to enlarge.

Skater Of The Week

2010-06-04T17:08:00.001-07:00

Name: James Davidson

Date of Birth: 26th November 2001

What school do you go to: Waimataitai

When did you start skating: 2009

What do you enjoy most about skating: The fact that you can go fast

What has been your biggest achievement so far: Getting a few placings at races

Who is your role model and why: Nicole Begg because she has won a lot of gold medals

League 2nd May, Warm Up

2010-06-04T16:07:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 30th May 2010

2010-06-01T21:37:00.001-07:00

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Skater of The Week

2010-06-01T20:32:00.001-07:00

Name: Laura-Madeleine Kuepper

Date of Birth: 15th June 1998

What school do you go to: St Josephs Primary School

When did you start skating: March 2010, the first time on skates was years ago in Germany. But I started speed skating in March 2010

What do you enjoy most about skating: It's fun and exciting. All the exercises. The club day on Friday is the best.

What has been your biggest skating achievement so far: My speed and passing others. Maybe bending down low, but I'm not sure about that.

Learn to Skate 23rd May 2010

2010-05-23T23:02:00.001-07:00

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SOUTH ISLAND MASTERS GAMES

2010-05-18T16:32:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

The South Island Masters Games is being held in Timaru from 9th - 17th October.
We have included speed skating in these games. The speed skating is on 16th October.

So if you are over 30 years of age and can skate or sort of skate then you are eligible to enter these games.
We have races as well as an obstacle course and relay, so something for everyone. The main theme of the games is participation, so lets see everyone out there and competing.

The website for the South Island Masters Games is:
http://timaru.simasters.co.nz

You can go to this website and register online. If you register online before 1st July you will get the early bird registration and it will be at a cheaper price than later on.

Also check out the social calender.

Skater Of The Week

2010-05-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Name: Ella Benson

Date of Birth: 16th July 2003

What school do you go to: Pleasant Point Primary

When did you start skating: 2009

What do you enjoy most about skating: Going fast and making new friends

What has been your biggest achievement so far: Getting into speed skates and competing in my first races on Sunday 2nd May

Who is your role model and why: Nicole, because she is the world champion and because she is nice and helps us train.

Get Well Soon Analiese

2010-05-13T19:23:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Analiese Le Roy one of the clubs successful speed skaters had her appendix taken out on Thursday. So on behalf of all the members we wish you a SPEEDY recovery Analiese.
Get well soon, we miss you at speed training all ready.

Learn to Skate Mothers Day 9th May

2010-05-12T21:03:00.001-07:00

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Learn to Skate 2nd May 2010

2010-05-12T20:23:00.001-07:00

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Skating in Schools. South School and Barton Rural

2010-05-05T20:47:00.001-07:00

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Cuteness factor at Sundays league

2010-05-05T19:32:00.001-07:00

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League Sunday 2nd May at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-05-05T18:21:00.001-07:00

Photos from Lynn of Sundays League, 2nd May

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skating league 2nd May

2010-05-04T21:16:00.001-07:00

warm up for the league 2nd May

Skating League 2nd May

2010-05-04T19:13:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,
We had an awesome day on Sunday with the first league of the year. The racing was really good and some close finishes.

Oceania Championships by Dahna Penty

2010-04-30T16:16:00.001-07:00

Oceanias was an amazing experience becuase you get to know some skaters from outside new zealand and you get to know the people that are in your own team better.

When we were in camp there were no parents around and it was reasonably relaxed and we had a chance to SING and joke around, and the trips to Mcdonalds were always good fun! Our singing in the vans through town was always AMAZING, and our dive to Havlock North for ice-cream, and our shopping trip for the social! and the shout out over the intercom was funny :)

The racing was great and I was happy with my mid-field finish in the time trail considering the people that I was competing against and their age and the amount that were in our grade, also some of these skaters have been skating since they were little. I hope if I go again I will have my shins sorted out and will be able to get some better racing in and be able to stay on the bunch for longer and be able to fight for my place at the start (be more agressive). The friends that I made were awesome, and are so so much fun :) (FREE HIT)

Our team game of cricket was great fun and it was quite fun watching the guys who thought that they were pro.. missing their hits and going all red.

And our movies that we watched on the rainy days were cool.

We got to room with our team mates and in my room there was Emily, Jess, Renee & Me. We all had heaps of fun together and our conversations were embarrasing but cool. I just wish that we found that there was a lock on our window earlier.

Along with doing most of the races that you would have in a competition there was a road marathon that took place on a road circuit around town in Hastings, and it was smooth in some places and there was one part of the track that was really rough and it killed my legs.

After the weeks racing there was a social on the saturday night after the marathon, we had a juke box for music so it was a little quiet but we got over it and had a good time, they had also got UV lights in the light bulbs so when they turned the lights off after all the presentations everyone that was wearing white got lit up! :)

Overall I had lots of fun at Oceanias and it was a really great experience.
All though we had a huge amount of fun the racing was really serious and we had to work really hard to get slected. When we were up in Hastings racing for our country, it was a huge honour to be able to race for New Zealand at my age. We also had to worry about the points that we got in every race and if there was an australian infront of us we had to pass them as soon as we could so we could get more points, because there is a trophy for the counrty with the most points (even though Chinese - Taipe were there and competing they werent included in it this year) and NEW ZEALAND BEAT THE AUSSIES THIS YEAR!!!! :) but next year it is in Cairns, on Aussie turf. Hopefully I get selected for the team again next year and am able to race for NZ again

N WHAT? NZ!

N WHAT? NZ!

N WHAT? NZ!

Oceania Championships By Emily Van der Heyden

2010-04-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Oceanias has been one of the most coolest experiences of my life it was so much fun and I hope I will get another chance to experience it next year in Cairns Austraila.

One of the best things about the racing was being able to work as a team in my age group with all the older girls there helping us new ones out. Especially during the marathon where we really worked well together and having the hard competition just made us work that little bit harder.

Staying with the NZ team was awesome they are all so cool and always ready to party. Every lunch and tea we went out, the lunches were mostly Subway and the dinners were RSAs and other restaurants. We are in and out of the dinner in like five minuets but every once in a while we went to Mc Donalds spending over $600 every time. We also went to the movies to see 'Boy' it is one of the most coolest and funniest movies I have ever seen.

I really enjoyed Oceanias and I hope to expeience it with some of the other members of our club next year.

Learn to skate 25.04.10

2010-04-25T21:18:00.001-07:00

Photos of the learn to skates session on Sunday 25.04.10. What a great day, the weather was wonderful and we had lots of eager skaters.
A great day for the skaters, parents and grandparents as well as the skating club.
Congratulations to all the skaters that received certificates. Dahna Penty was able to present the certificates to the children. Dahna has been a national age group speed skating champion and this year represented New Zealand at the Junior Oceania Championships.

Nicole Begg Website

2010-04-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

NICOLE BEGG

Nicole has now got her website up and running. If you go into the news section of the website you can see how she has been going in the races she competes in.
Click here to get to it

Or you can go to www.nicolebegg.com

Wheelz Skate Shop

2010-04-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Wheelz shop is located at 90 Stafford Street, Timaru, phone 688 0660.
It caters to all your skating needs in regards to wheels, protection equipment, helmets, glasses, skates and advice.
Email: info@wheelzshop.co.nz
Website: www.wheelzshop.co.nz

Click here to go the the website
Shop hours: Tues to Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 12.30pm

Media from Nationals

2010-01-07T01:01:00.000-08:00

Here are a few articles that featured in the Timaru Herald from the National Championships in Palmerston North.

Classy Begg skates to records

By MATTHEW LITTLEWOOD - The Timaru Herald

Timaru speed skater Nicole Begg has blitzed her rivals at the national championships at Palmerston North.

Begg, 22, has not been defeated at a national level for nearly seven years, and was determined to keep it that way.

She won gold in the 200m, 500m, 1000m, 10km and 20km races. She beat her own national records in the 10km and 20km races.

"The competition has got stronger, but I knew I was still a class ahead of my rivals, so I expected to win," she said.

"If I hadn't, there would have been something worrying."

She attributed her times to the track's quality.

"It was a really, really fast track, probably the best we've got in the country. If we're going to improve our skaters, then we need more world-class facilities."

Begg has had an eventful 12 months.

At the world championships in China, she won three bronze medals.

Late last month, she was confirmed on the shortlist for Sportswoman of the Year at the Halberg Awards, although she missed out on a spot in the final five.

"I was sort of expecting to be on the shortlist, given my performances this year."

Other South Canterbury skaters also fared well at the national championships. Dahna Penty, 12, won a silver in the 200m and a bronze medal in the 500m in the under-15 junior girls category, while Emily Van der Heyden was just one point shy of winning the junior 3000m race.

Annelise Roy got bronze medals in the 300m, 500m and 1000m Juvenile under-12 girls events.

Begg was particularly pleased with their performances, as she, along with her father, Bill, coached them.

"For many of them, this was their first time at a national tournament, lots of them started from scratch just a year ago, and might not have had much experience competing in sports.

"Considering the age differences for some of them, I think they did really well."

While she was pleased with the improved quality of the event, Begg said more money needed to go into facilities if New Zealand was going to be competitive at an international level.

"We simply need more world-class facilities. It is very difficult for skaters, and in some cases, the clubs have to wait until dark just to use the carparks for training. We need more facilities, and ones which skaters can use safely."

Begg and Van der Heyden will compete today in the 5000m ladies relay against skaters from Palmerston North and Whanganui.

The national championships finishes on January 9.

Begg shares relay victory with teen

By FLEUR COGLE - The Timaru Herald

Nicole Begg has continued her record-breaking streak joining with newcomer Emily van der Heyden to win the senior women's relay at the national skating championships in Palmerston North.

Yesterday Begg, 22, and van der Heyden, competing as a pair in an event usually performed by a team of three, shaved 34.35 seconds off the record, finishing the 5000m race in a time of 7min 57.6sec.

Begg's father, Bill, was impressed with van der Heyden's effort.

At 13, she had just qualified for the race, which pitted her against older competitors.

Begg's dominance in the sport continued.

She won the senior women's 5000m race, adding to the medals she picked up on previous days' competitions in the 200m, 500m, 1000m, 10km and 20km races.

She headed a young South Canterbury team which is poised to put the club on the national map.

Analiese Le Roy added another medal to her collection from the championship, gaining a bronze in the juvenile under-12 girls' 2000m. Team-mate Sophie Lowen was just one place behind.

Training Slideshow 15/11/09

2009-11-16T13:51:00.001-08:00

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Skater of the Week

2009-11-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

Name
Nick Frame
Date of Birth
26/05/2000
Where do you live?
Timaru
What school do you attend?
Timaru South
When did you start skating?
January 2008
What do you enjoy most about skating?
Having cool fast skates.
What has been your biggest skating achievement so far?
Winning three bronze medals at the 2009 National Championships and gold in the relay at the 2009 Areas.