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We would all like a soft place to fall, but it becomes even more critical when you’re travelling at speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour and wearing razor blades on your feet.
Mount Royal Instructor Sean Maw, PhD, and his colleague Clifton Johnston have engineered and designed the crash pads for the speed skating events at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
While some people may think there is not a lot you can do with crash pads, Maw had numerous obstacles to work around — the pads cannot move as much as the ones at the Calgary Oval due to media restraints, the short track crash pads also have to double as figure skating boards and “the look people” also had their requirements.
“In terms of safety, we are confident that our pads will be better than anything out there right now,” says Maw.
“Another thing we are very proud of is how much easier the pads will be for the maintenance staff to work with. They are going to be happy that these pads (complete with doors built in) are easy to work with, to move, and to maintain.”
In fact, word has already gotten out about the new and improved crash pads and other facilities all across North America, are requesting Maw and Johnston design pads for them. Even other sports (that deal with human speed) have made inquiries.
“We’re also helping to draft the new rules for crash pad production — long track and short track — for Speed Skating Canada,” says Maw. “Hopefully, the International Skating Union will pick up on that as well.”
The Olympic contract has proved a great opportunity for Maw, but it also benefits his students.
“One thing I love about research is it makes me a better teacher.
“This project has reconfirmed some things for me and has taught me a few things that I can add to my design and engineering classes.”
He says some of the best feedback he gets as an instructor is about how he brings a subject to life.
“Students like to see that what they are studying actually has something to do with reality,” says Maw, who has a whole new repertoire of real-life examples to use in class.
Several students also did paid research work.
“They appreciated the learning experience. They had some fun and they built up their resume.”
Will Maw add some lucky charm to the pads, such as the lucky loonie placed at centre ice at the 2002 Olympics?
“We probably don’t want to put a loonie in the pads because if you hit it, you could lose an eye, “says Maw.
“But, I like the idea, I’ll have to think about it,” he adds with a chuckle.
— Anika Van Wyk
Oct. 16, 2008
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
