Members of the Eastlake Express Speed Skating Team racing laps at practice.

The Eastlake Express Speed Skating Team, based in Warsaw, are gearing up for another season with an event this weekend. At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, the team is hosting a fundraising, season kick-off event at Eastlake Skating Center on Frontage Road.

“We’re just getting started,” says coach Jordan Hansen. “My goal is to get 20 kids this season.”

The team started small, about four years ago, with Hansen and Taylor Cassel. Cassel recruited a few of his buddies, and the team started rolling. Now there are 15 kids, between the ages of 6 and 19, on the roster.

“Competitive Roller Speed Skating is very little known in the United States,” says Hansen. “When people say Speed skating they are often referring to the Ice competition displayed in the winter olympics and many still do not understand the sport as a whole.”

On Sunday evening, the main event is a Skate-A-Thon. Some of the team members will be skating as many laps as they can in 10 minutes. It’s a perfect opportunity to see what roller speed skating is all about.

There will also be a Silent Auction, 50/50 raffle, games, and prizes. Admission is $3, another $2 for skates, or $3.50 for inline/speed skates (for those interested in trying out the sport).

“We’re trying to raise money fro our uniforms,” says Hansen, who is working towards becoming a nationally certified coach. He’d like to see 10 10 of the skaters to the USA Roller Sports Great Lakes Regional Championship in May. And maybe even send a few to nationals.