Penelope Brown, 9, and six-year-old sister, Beatrix, sit patiently as their mother cinches up their long-bladed skates in the lobby of The Q Centre.

On this day the young West Shore residents are taking part in a promotional photo shoot for the Esquimalt Speedskating Club, to which they belong. Asked what she enjoys most about the sport, PenelopeB次元官网网址檚 eyes light up.

B次元官网网址淚 like going fast,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t feels like youB次元官网网址檙e flying.B次元官网网址�

She and Beatrix are in their second year skating with the club B次元官网网址� which is in its 49th year in Greater Victoria B次元官网网址�  although Penelope first strapped on figure skating blades at age 2.

She loves racing, observing, B次元官网网址淵ou know what you can do (skill-wise), but you can do many levels of that.B次元官网网址�

Beatrix quietly says she loves to go fast as well, then recites almost rote one of the things sheB次元官网网址檚 learned so far: B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to bend your knees when you do a crossover or youB次元官网网址檙e going to fall.B次元官网网址�

Although the regional club lists skaters from age 5 up to 66, president Ian Phillips of Langford says the sistersB次元官网网址� age group is one of the fastest growing. Part of the appeal, he says, is that coaches try to keep it fun for younger skaters. Besides training for starting technique, doing laps and relay practice, skaters play such games as asteroids, where pucks are thrown at skatersB次元官网网址� feet B次元官网网址� kind of a dodge ball on ice B次元官网网址�  and the train game, with engine and caboose.

The girls say theyB次元官网网址檝e made lots of new friends in the club, something Phillips agrees is a big part of its recent growth spurt.

While itB次元官网网址檚 almost the halfway point of the season, the club is accepting new members for a reduced rate. The specialized skates are provided and curious people of any age are invited to come try it out for free. Just call Phillips at 250-474-1491 or email him at ijphillips@shaw.ca for more information.

Heading toward the ice, the girls are left wide-eyed seeing the pair of comparative giants with whom theyB次元官网网址檒l be photographed: Victoria Grizzlies players Kevin Massy and Chris Harpur.

The good-natured young men, both of whom stand about six-foot-six on skates, are here to help promote this SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 (Dec. 13) speedskating demo between periods of their teamB次元官网网址檚 game against Powell River (7 p.m. start).

ItB次元官网网址檚 yet another cool experience for the girls, who, like Massy and Harpur, are learning to become ambassadors for their sport and club.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com