Please join me in congratulating Agatha van der Starre in being named to the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame. The presentation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, February 21.
Barbara Vogl,
Burnaby Haida
Agatha Vanderstarre – A Skater’s Biography
Published on: 5/12/2003
Agatha Vanderstarre – A Skater’s Biography
Agatha Vanderstarre has graced the world of speed skating in British Columbia for many years. An active member of Burnaby Haida Speed Skating Club since 1980, she has been a true ambassador for the sport, and an inspiration to skaters and racers of all ages.
Agatha learned to skate in Holland during the mid-1930’s when her father took her onto the canals to push around a chair. As she grew up, she skated from village to village, and although she raced only once competitively in the old country, she seized the opportunity to beat out the village favourite and won 10 guilders! Upon her arrival in Vancouver in 1955, Agatha continued to skate outdoors whenever the lakes froze over. Wisely, she was never the first on the ice. She always let someone else test its safety, but she was usually the last one off. Daughter Ariana remembers skating in the dark on Burnaby’s lakes, and hearing the RCMP megaphones ordering them to get off the ice!
Agatha’s love of skating endured, but seemed to be weather-dependent. In the mid 1970’s, a customer came into the ladies’ fashion store where she worked, and asked for a skating outfit. Agatha made some inquiries and found out that there was a social skating club at an arena in New Westminster. Live organ music played while skaters did their turns about the rink arm-in-arm! There Agatha connected with members of the Burnaby Haida Speed Skating Club, and became an institution of Kensington Arena. She competed in her first BC Winter Games in 1980, and although she was lapped by Ann Marshall, she was inspired to continue racing, and the rest, as they say, is history!
In 1981, Agatha became the President of the Burnaby Haida Speed Skating Club. At that time, the Club had exactly 5 members and $18.00 in its account! She held the Presidency for over 10 years, and was instrumental in keeping the Club alive. Like any volunteer, she put in endless hours supporting the sport of speed skating at the community and provincial levels. Most importantly, Agatha always actively sought out and encouraged new members. These have included Ariana who went on to become a member of BC’s Training Team and is now continuing her mother’s legacy with her own dedicated commitment as coach of the Burnaby club.
Agatha currently holds more than 40 BC, Canadian and North American records in both long track and short track, in the Master 3, Master 4 and Grand Master categories. [See the complete list attached.] Her first records came in 1991, and she continued to turn in personal bests up to and including 1998. She has raced on tracks all over BC and Canada, including Ste Foy, Ottawa, Winnipeg and the northern BC locales of Dawson Creek, FSJohn and FSJames. She continues to race as often as possible, and constantly challenges herself to best her own times. As she is about to enter a new age category, one can only anticipate that her list of records will continue to grow. One of the most impressive acknowledgments of her achievements came at the North American Short Track Championships held in Regina, March 2000. The entire Quebec Team gave Agatha a standing ovation as she approached the podium to receive her medals! This was truly a measure of her enduring reputation throughout the Canadian speed skating community!
Agatha continues to lead, inspire and motivate speed skaters in British Columbia and nationally. She practices 3 times a week, takes every opportunity to compete, and often makes the annual July trek to the Western Provinces Camp. Everywhere she goes, she is affectionately greeted by skaters of all ages who have come to know her and have had their lives touched by hers.
Agatha Vanderstarre is truly deserving of a Lifetime Membership in Speed Skate Canada. Burnaby Speed Skating Club is privileged to bestow this honour on her, and we are proud to name her as one of our own!
