The South Canterbury Speed Skating Club is in line for a successful year.
Fourteen-year-old club member Callum Sandri returned from competing at the Asian Roller Games at the end of July.
The competition is held every second year, and participants from Asia and the Pacific are invited to attend.
As only two skaters from each country were allowed to skate in each race, only nine people from New Zealand were allowed to enter in the competition.
The entrants flew to Jecheon in South Korea to compete.
As the country was experiencing a heat wave when the competition took place, Callum competed in mid 30°C temperatures and extreme humidity.
Club spokeswoman Andrea Worner said he had left overnight lows of 0°C and frosts in South Canterbury to compete at the prestigious games.
‘‘When you take into account the humidity, it makes it very difficult to operate in, let alone skate 15km.
‘‘We are just not used to the high levels of humidity.’’
The competitions were scheduled for early morning or night to avoid the heat of the day, but some races were delayed further to let the temperatures cool down more.
She said the games were highly regarded in the Asian region, and were often considered the pinnacle of a skater’s career.
Mrs Worner said the world class skaters ‘‘travel at incredible speeds’’.
Callum raced in the junior grade which ranged from ages 14 through to 18.
She said he gained a personal best in the 200m of 20.549 seconds, and he had gained a 13th place in the 15km elimination race.
Now he and some of his fellow skaters Kyla Beveridge, Grace Worner and Brayden Teague were aiming to attend the World Skating Championships in the next two years, so they were seeking more international competitions in their build up to the championships.
The club had become a family affair, with some of the parents of the members being world level competitors in their youth.
One of those parents was Mark Swindells who just got back from China were he was an official for the World Games.
‘‘That’s basically the Olympics for non Olympic sports.’’
He was appointed head Judge for the whole speed skating competition.
‘‘Pretty exciting for little old South Canterbury.’’
The club had members ranging from 4 years old ‘‘right up to Masters Level’’.
‘‘Our training is great for fitness, competition and loads of fun.’’
The rink was open for families and friends to have a skate every Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm ($5 hire and $5 entry).
The club would be hosting a quiz night at the Sail and Anchor on September 11 at 7pm.
To book a table call Susan on 021 047 4179.
