When Austin MacGregor started skating as a kid, it wasn’t hockey or figure skating or that caught his attention; it was the thrill of going fast.
“I started in a Learn to Skate program,” said Austin. “I just liked when we would do our fast laps, just loops around the outside of the little hockey rink. That’s kind of what drew me in, I just liked the speed of it.”
That need for speed led him to Northern Lights College, where he’s now the first athlete on the College’s new speed skating program.
“When I found out I was the only one, I was like, oh, that’s exciting,” Austin said. “I think of it as kind of making a pathway as we go, seeing how we’re going to build it.”
Within the local skating community, certain names come up often, including Olympian Denny Morrison, who’s also from the region.
“That name comes up a lot,” Austin said. “It’s cool to think about someone from here who went to the Olympics. I like to think maybe I can help make the way for others to come by, and maybe even for myself to get to that level.”
For Austin, joining NLC was about opportunity, but also about staying connected to home. Although he’s aware of the skate programs available in Calgary, NLC’s newly formed speed skating program became an attractive option for Austin.
“Now that this (NLC speed skating team) has opened up, I want to stay here, stay home, get my schooling, and skate.”
Being part of something brand new, he said, feels special. “It feels good to kind of be one of the pioneers, to help make the program, use all of our resources, and see where it goes.”
When asked what he hopes the future of NLC’s speed skating program might look like in five years, Austin said he wants to see it grow. He added that he hopes the program will attract athletes from other regions too, including Calgary.
Austin also wants to help people understand what speed skating is really about.
“I hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, it’s just turn left, turn left,’” he said with a grin. “It’s not really turn left; it’s more lean left. A lot of people compare it to NASCAR, but we don’t turn our skates; we keep them parallel and lean in. It’s all about how you’re on your blades, using that inside edge for grip and efficiency through the corners.”
With morning practices, on-ice sessions, and dryland training throughout the week, Austin’s schedule is full, but he’s excited for what’s ahead. As NLC’s first speed skater, he is proud to be part of something new.
“We’re creating the pathway as we go,” he said. “If I can help more people get into the sport and do it while studying at home, that’s the goal.”
To learn more about NLC Speed Skating, visit our speed skating page!