Dylan Estrada, 10, isn’t even five feet tall, but he flies around the ice rink so fast, the only way to recognize him is his bright blue helmet.

Estrada is a member of the Park Ridge Speed Skating team, a club that focuses on technical strategy as well as a love for the sport. But Estrada didn’t start with speed skating—his affinity for the ice began with a sport that involves a bit more contact.

“I signed Dylan up for speed skating to help make him faster for hockey, but he liked it more,” said Estrada’s mother, Nina Taluc. “He eventually dropped hockey and has stuck with speed skating ever since.”

Estrada’s not the only one who converted from one sport to another. James Kann, 12, used to play hockey, but found that instead of checking other kids and worrying about the puck, he preferred to skate—and skate fast. Colleen Scholz, 12, tried out figure skating, but now instead of perfecting her
triple axel, she straps on a helmet and races around the ice at top speed.

But speed skating isn’t a sport just for just the young. Since it’s a low-impact sport, "anyone can do it with low risk for injury," said speed skater and Northwestern cardiologist Gary Martin, 57.

Martin circles the rink just as fast as the children, and said he not only loves the sport, but also recommends it as a option for cardio activity to many of his patients.

“It’s a great aerobic activity, and it isn’t hard on the joints,” Martin said. “People say speed skating is like NASCAR on ice. For me, it’s like a rollercoaster—and you’re the rollercoaster.”

With the 2010 Winter Olympics only months away, club president Peter Block and his team are hoping that the buzz will draw interest to the club and local competitions. The team encourages newcomers and those curious about the sport to come to a practice, and Block said that the first three practices are free of charge and without obligation to join. The club practices at Oakton Ice Arena, 2800 W. Oakton in Park Ridge on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Speed skating is a technical sport, so we work on a lot of drills,” Block said. "The drills are essential to becoming a faster skater. There are aspects of speed skating that a figure skater or hockey player wouldn’t think of.”

The team has both novice and experienced skaters on its roster and welcomes skaters at all levels of experience. Team member Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr., 22, is the daughter of long track Olympian Nancy Swider-Peltz. She is hoping to gain an Olympic berth at the U.S. Speed Skating Long Track World Cup Qualifier Oct. 21 to 25 in West Allis, Wis.

Another competitive member, Tamara Frederick, competed in September at the U.S. Speed Skating Olympic Short Track Team Trials in Marquette, Mich. Frederick finished 10th overall in the 1,000 meter time trial, but an injury forced her out of the competition on the third day, resulting in a 15th place overall finish.

Competitive or not, parents like to sit on the side of the rink and watch their children practice. For many, it’s not only the nature of the sport that they enjoy, but also the way Block runs the club.

“[Block]’s a speed skating enthusiast, and also patient and encouraging with the kids,” said Bill Kann, father of James and Melissa Kann.

When Block’s coaching abilities came up as a topic of discussion, the consensus among the sidelined parents was obvious.

“[The club] is a great group to be a part of, and we all can’t say enough about Peter,” said Taluc. “He has a nice tone for coaching.”

The team’s next competition is Oct. 17 at the Glen Ellyn Silver Skates Meet. Park Ridge will host the Park Ridge Short Track Open on Nov. 14.

For more information about the Park Ridge Speed Skating Club, call Block at 847-825-0826.

—By Bridget Doyle, Triblocal.com reporter