CANSKATE (CANSKATE STAGES 1-6)  (generally ages 6+, age 5 with prior skating experience)

Required Experience: Completion of Pre-Canskate OR able to stand and get up independently, some movement

The Canskate program offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic skating abilities with the option of taking Skate Canada tests, while earning awards and incentives.  A Professional Coach will supervise all sessions with the help of qualified Program Assistants.  Each session will be comprised of a warm-up period, a teaching component, a review and a cool-down period.  Children will be assessed frequently and progress at their own rate.  The Club recommends skaters choose the 2-day a week option in order to progress faster.  Properly fitted CSA approved hockey helmets required for Stages 1-5.

 

STARSKATE (CANSKATE STAGES 5 & 6)  (generally age 6+, prior skating experience)

Experience: Successfully passed Canskate Stage 4

This session provides a session similar to private ice on Tuesdays and a group session (similar to Canskate group format) on Fridays with a Professional Coach running the program, assisted by qualified Program Assistants will allow skaters to receive an introduction to the next stage of figure skating, which is the Star Program.  One of the club coaches will circulate among the skaters offering instruction with an amount of time set aside to practice. Properly fitted CSA approved hockey helmets are required up to and including Canskate Level 5.

 

INTRODUCTION TO FIGURE SKATING / STAR 1 (CANSKATE STAGE 6)

Experience: Successfully passed Canskate Stage 5

 This program is being offered as a transition into the Star program (private ice).  It offers an excellent opportunity for skaters to take part in a Star 1 (private ice) session that mimics a Jr private ice session on Tuesday, as well as an Open Freeskate session that will be guided by club coaches on Fridays, thus getting exposure to the shift to Jr Private Ice.  This Program has been designed to help both skaters and parents transition to private ice and away from Canskate/Starskate group sessions.  If you would like more information on this session, or to find out if it is a good fit for your skater, please reach out to Sonia Rivard.

 

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WHAT SKATERS NEED / GOOD TO KNOW…

 

HELMETS

•  CSA approved hockey helmets are MANDATORY for ALL skaters registered in the Parent and Tot, Pre-Canskate, CanSkate and Starskate programs who have not completed Canskate Stage 5
• The fit should be snug and the strap in good working order with placement under the chin
•  NO BIKE HELMETS OR SNOWBOARDING/OTHER HELMETS ARE PERMITTED

 

CLOTHING

• All skaters must come dressed in warm clothing that allows sufficient mobility so as not to impede the skater’s motion.  Snow pants are not recommended as they make it quite difficult for little skaters to get back up should they fall and tend to greatly restrict movement. As an alternative, rain pants are a great way to help little skaters stay dry. We recommend layers to stay warm.
• Warm gloves/mittens should be worn. Consider keeping a spare pair on hand to switch out should your skater’s gloves get wet from falls!!

 

SKATES

• ***Ensure your child’s skates fit properly.  Skates should have a proper and snug fit and have solid ankle support. Skates that are either too big or too small can cause the skater’s feet to become painful while skating and pose an injury risk.  It is not advisable to use a size that “they can grow into” as this will hinder their performance as well as pose risk of ankle injury.  If you have questions on the fit of your child’s skates, please ask any of our club coaches.