Winnipeg - the Great Canadian Kilt Skate Capital 2023
One of the best things about the Great Canadian Kilt Skate (GCKS) is the widely different approach of our communities to kilt skating events. Large or small, indoors or outdoors, new or established: each skate is unique and special. And when you look at all the pictures and the smiles on people’s faces you cannot help but thinking everybody is a winner.
After the Covid pandemic, the 2023 kilt skate season saw the resurgence of these features and it was great to see number and variety of kilt skates across Canada. There were several exceptional events and special mention should be given to Antigonish who’s first kilt skate was outstanding.
But this year the Kilt Skate Capital of Canada return Winnipeg, a city that has been part of the kilt skate family since the beginning. In 2022 Winnipeg had a memorable kilt skate at The Forks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers despite the temperature of minus-thirty. The balmy -5C weather smiled on the Winnipeg kilt skate held this year at the Riley Family Duck Pond at Assiniboine Park.
The St Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg was joined by a large contingent of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, as well as dozens of veterans and many first-time participants, including a family who had recently fled the war in Ukraine. One TV host covering the event opined that “you have to put [kilt skating] on your bucket list.” For its perseverance, good humour and leadership we are pleased to say that Winnipeg as the 2023 Kilt Skate Capital of Canada.