An elite 4-day speed skating training experience for the U.S. Masters community at the Utah Olympic Oval. Pair up with Olympians, dial in your blade setup at the Salty Gold Supply lab, and race on the Fastest ice on Earth!
We have designed a camp that breaks away from generic weekend clinics. By combining World Record Ice, Olympic Level Coaching, and professional equipment tuning in the Salty Gold Skate Lab, we offer an experience that will redefine your skating.
Skate on the pristine, climate-controlled ice of the Utah Olympic Oval. As the home of 15 current speed skating world records, this high-altitude oval at 4,675 feet offers the lowest air resistance on Earth—built for speed and personal benchmarks.
We map your equipment using highly sensitive measurement tools to help perfect your bend and rocker. We analyze your current speeds, strength, and lean angles to customize your optimal rock and bend profile map (physical rocking and bending tuning services are available for an additional fee with a 15% camp discount).
On Saturday, October 17th, compete in official time trials. Join this year's US National Team as they prepare and tune up during these races in preparation for the upcoming World Cup Qualifier.
Experience a scientifically backed training system. Rather than attempting to mentally memorize complex stroke mechanics (which break down under fatigue), we use task constraints and external focus targets so the brain is guided towards the most efficient movement pattern.
Learn directly from coaches who have stood on the world stage and know how to squeeze every millisecond out of a straightaway and corner.
Former US Speedskating Long Track Program Director, Olympic Coach, and Team Leader. Matt has directed elite training programs at the Utah Olympic Oval and coached Olympic medalists. He is a leading expert in applying constraints-led motor learning to disrupt deeply ingrained movement habits and ensure technical changes hold up under the pressure of the clock.
Co-Founder of Salty Gold Supply. Former competitive skater. Mary manages the off-ice camp logistics, hospitality, and recovery lounge setups, ensuring every camper has a world-class experience at the Oval and the shop. mary.deboer@saltygoldsupply.com
The Head Coach of the U.S. Long Track Speed Skating Team. Known as the "Flyin' Hawaiian", Ryan has over 25 years of national coaching tenure, guiding American skaters to 7 Olympic medals (including Erin Jackson's historic gold) and 52 World Championship medals. * Note: Ryan is participating as a guest coach and will not be doing the entire camp.
We are currently in discussion with several US Olympians to join our coaching staff. Guest coaches will assist on-ice during speed sessions and participate in our Saturday evening fireside Q&A. Roster updates will be posted here as they are finalized.
Why do skaters practice a technique perfectly in slow, isolated exercises, only for old habits to return under the pressure of a Time Trial? Our coaching uses motor learning science to bypass cognitive overload and make changes stick when they count.
Traditional coaching relies on internal cues (e.g., "bend your knee to 90 degrees"). While this sounds logical, it forces the brain to overthink biomechanics. When the race gun fires, cognitive overload kicks in, and the body defaults to its oldest, most comfortable habits. Scientific research confirms that an external focus of attention (directing focus to the movement's effect on the environment, like pushing the ice away rather than limb positions) is vastly superior for motor performance and skill retention.
Olympic Coach Matt Kooreman utilizes a Constraints-Led Approach. Instead of telling you how to move, we design physical tasks and environmental constraints that force your body to self-organize. By changing the task constraints (using target bands, modified tracking lines, or weight shifts), your brain automatically discovers the most efficient movement pattern without you having to overthink it. You can explore the sports science behind this at Dr. Rob Gray's Perception & Action podcast, the leading resource on the Constraints-Led Approach.
When high competitive pressure hits (like a national qualifier or time trial), skaters often fall into the trap of trying to consciously control their body movements—a psychological phenomenon known as Reinvestment Theory. This conscious override disrupts automated motor skills, causing technical execution to freeze up or "choke." Because our methodology drives implicit learning through external focus and constraints, it bypasses the reinvestment trap entirely, building movement patterns that remain automated, fluid, and robust under extreme competitive stress.
“We don't just instruct. We change the environment so that your body has no choice but to find the optimal speed posture. That is how we bridge the gap between practice and race day.”
Under Newell's Model of Constraints, movement is not pre-programmed or memorized. Instead, the interaction of **Task constraints** (stroke frequency, skating path), **Environmental constraints** (wind, temperature), and **Organismic constraints** (your flexibility and strength) shapes how you perceive information. This **Perception** (visual and sensory feedback) guides your **Action** (motor movement), which in turn alters your perception. This continuous feedback loop drives your final **Physical Performance** on the ice.
Explore our four-day intensive program, highlighting advanced on-ice instruction, constraints-based training clinics, and the highly anticipated Time Trials on Saturday. * Note: Schedule is subject to change.
Arrive at the Utah Olympic Oval. Check in, pick up your exclusive Camp Swag Box, and gather in the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd floor for a comprehensive camp overview and program introduction.
Skate on the morning session's World Record Ice. Establish your baseline feel under high-altitude conditions as the coaching staff introduces the 4 pillars of technique during your first on-ice session.
Enjoy a provided lunch served in the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd floor. Following the morning ice session, mapping of the rocker and bend begins on skaters' equipment in the Salty Gold Lab.
Skate in the PM on the fastest ice on Earth. Guided off-ice preparation followed by on-ice focus on straightaway mechanics using task constraints.
Early on-ice training available on the Oval before the High Performance (HP) block. This session is On Your Own (OYO) and is not part of the official camp program (session fees paid independently).
Main morning ice block starts at 11:30 AM. Run race-start simulations and acceleration progressions in preparation for Saturday's Time Trials.
Provided lunch served in the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd floor, followed by a classroom seminar. Discover optimal nutrition protocols, fueling strategies, and scientific guidelines for using ergogenic aids in Masters speed skating.
Explore attentional focus, mental imagery, and focus targets. Learn how to prevent choking under pressure and keep motor patterns automated during high-stress races.
Learn the fundamentals of dryland and slideboard training. Focus on how to use task constraints and external cues to manipulate the feedback loop in the perceptual motorspace, translating movement patterns directly to the ice.
Warm-up ice session on the competition track to get your legs ready, establish your baseline feel, and prepare for the time trials.
Race your chosen distances (500m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, or 5000m) with official electronic timing.
Provided lunch served in the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd floor, followed by a roundtable seminar. Coaches discuss training philosophies, periodization, and how to structure long-term skating progress as a Masters athlete.
Conducted in the Oval's Elite Performance Gym. Focus on ankle mobility, hip flexor activation, and prehabilitation strategies designed specifically for Masters athletes after racing.
A restorative group yoga, foam rolling, and stretching clinic designed to flush the legs, restore mobility, and recover after a hard day of Time Trial racing.
The main social event. Formal catered dinner, awarding of medals, and a fireside Q&A with Guest Olympians (still in discussion and will depend on final availability of athletes).
Morning ice training session focusing on corner entry, apex acceleration, and exit dynamics. Followed by team event coordination including team pursuit pacing, draft synchronization, team sprint lead-outs, and mass start strategies.
Concluding remarks from Matt Kooreman, camp group photographs, and departure pack distribution.
Your blades are your tires, steering column, and suspension. A generic factory blade shape holds back your potential. At Salty Gold Supply, we unlock your skates' optimal speed profile.
We analyze the curvature (rocker) and lateral flex (bend) of your blades using highly sensitive measurement tools to help perfect your bend and rocker. We customize your rock and bend based on your current speeds, strength, and lean angles (physical rocking and bending tuning services are available for an additional fee with a 15% camp discount).
Stop guessing with your hand-honing. Our technicians teach you the exact blade-sharpening routine used by Olympic equipment managers to maintain a razor-sharp bite without rolling the edge.
Interested in upgrading to premium PM-steel blades or custom boots? Examine flagship gear from our inventory and consult 1-on-1 with Salty Gold experts to determine the optimal specifications for your skating style.
Salt Lake City is one of the easiest speed skating hubs in the world to travel to. Here is everything you need to plan your trip to the Utah Olympic Oval.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is located just 15 minutes north of the Utah Olympic Oval via Bangerter Highway. Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) and car rentals are readily available at the terminal.
Located just 5 minutes from the rink at Jordan Landing. Excellent options with kitchenettes for athlete meal prep:
Participants have exclusive access to the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd Floor of the Oval for gear prep, coffee, athlete recovery, and secure equipment storage between daily ice sessions.
All adult Masters skaters (ages 30+) with basic skating experience are welcome. If you can execute crossovers on the corners, you can do this camp! Our 35-skater cap ensures small-group on-ice pods grouped by speed, discipline, and personal goals.
Yes! The Saturday Time Trial features professional timing under official racing protocols. It offers a premier opportunity to test your speed on World Record Ice alongside U.S. National Team skaters preparing for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
Included in the Gold Medal Package (and available as a diagnostic add-on for Silver participants), our lab team uses highly sensitive measurement tools to help perfect your bend and rocker. We customize your rock and bend based on your current speeds, strength, and lean angles.
Safety gear is not strictly mandatory for standard sessions; however, we will be practicing team events including mass start lead-outs where helmets and gloves are strongly recommended. We always recommend cut-resistant gear as well.
Admission is included with both Silver and Gold packages! Enjoy a catered dinner in the Salty Gold Recovery Lounge on the 2nd floor, an awards presentation, and an intimate fireside Q&A session with our coaching staff.
Registration is strictly limited to 35 skaters on a first-come, first-served basis. A $50 administrative fee applies to cancellations made before October 1st. No refunds are available after October 1st due to ice rental and coaching commitments.
Spaces are strictly limited to 35 skaters to ensure an optimal athlete-to-coach ratio. Reserve your spot at the Oval and prepare for 4 days of speed, tech, and Olympic instruction.
Note: All ice time session fees and Saturday Time Trial race entry fees are fully covered in your camp registration.
Have questions about registration, housing, or camp details? Contact Mary DeBoer directly at mary.deboer@saltygoldsupply.com.