Speed skates are hand sharpened. DO NOT USE A SHARPENING MACHINE MEANT FOR HOCKEY SKATES. They become dull quickly. It is important that they are sharpened on a regular basis, usually approximately every 4 weeks, depending on the amount and type of skating you have been doing.

If an athlete would like to sharpen his / her own skates, sharpening equipment can be purchased through various companies that offer sharpening equipment for sale. Follow the link on the left "About Speed Skating - Organizations" for a list of links. Throughout the season the Clarington Speed Skating Club holds skate sharpening clinics that teach athletes how to sharpen their own skates.

There are a number of club members who are willing to sharpen skates for those who would prefer to have their skates sharpened by others. A list of these skate sharpeners is posted on the club bulletin board. The typical charge is $10 for new skates (as they take longer for the initial sharpening) and $5.00 for subsequent sharpenings. Any changes in the cost of skate sharpening will be posted on the board.