How did I get into this awesome sport?

My high school friend Vicko got me into this sport.

Vicko and Lucas Wareham

It wasn't surprising I took up this sport as I love going fast - a real need for speed! Whether it was snow boarding, bike riding, running, or skate boarding my mother said I only had one speed and that was 'fast'. Where everyone else turned corners to slow down I didn't and that says it all.

My best mate, Aidan is also hooked on the sport. Although we now skate for different teams, we skated and travelled together twice to South Korea for intensive training with Sydney Wings Ice Racing Club.

2018 NSW Junior Ice Racing Squad

This is the photo from 2018, when I was part of the NSW Team. We won the Duke Cup and I was awarded the Duke Trophy for best & fairest and most improved skater. In my first ever race I fell three times and came last. My coach, William Lee, was adamant if I leart the technique first the speed will follow. This would have to be the hardest lesson, for a speed freak, it is hard to slow down.

During the last two years of high school, I would train from 4:15 am until 8:00 four days a week. Training kept me sane and helped me control my stress and anxiety. The noise of skating is so calming. The whosh, whosh white noise is really satisfying. When I'm not racing, the sound takes me into a zone where I could go forever. From what I've been told it is a feeling that swimmers and runners also describe. Where your body and mind are intune and you are in the zone.

That's why I got into the awesome sport of short track speed skating. Reach out to Ice Racing Australia and find out where you can learn. It is fun, it is exhilarating, it builds strength, resilience and cardio fitness. We have skaters of all ages and at all levels. It is a really social sport.

However, not everyone is like me, ambitious to skate for Australia and to win Gold.

Follow this link to find out more: https://australianiceracing.org/state-associations/join-now-membership-links/