Programs Offered
What is CanSkate?
CanSkate is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. Based on Sport Canada’s long term athlete development (LTAD) principles, CanSkate centers on physical literacy and the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport or to skate as a recreational activity.
Who’s it for?
For beginners of all ages, children or adults, as well as for those wishing to improve their basic skills whether their focus be for figure skating, hockey, speed skating or just skating for fun.
Who teaches it?
NCCP-trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants.
What will you learn?
A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.
What can you expect?
Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.
What do you need to participate?
All you need are skates, a CSA-approved hockey helmet, long pants, mittens, warm sweater or jacket. Dress in layers – it will get warm!
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all about!
How does StarSkate work?
The program offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic figure skating skills in four different areas:
1. Skating Skills,
2. Free Skate,
3. Interpretive, and
4. Ice Dance.
1. Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed. There are 6 Skating Skills tests in the StarSkate program: preliminary, junior bronze, senior bronze, junior silver, senior silver and gold.
2. Free skate consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music. There are 6 Free Skate tests in the StarSkate program: preliminary, junior bronze, senior bronze, junior silver, senior silver and gold. Each test consists of 2 parts – Elements in isolation and a Free Program.
3. Interpretive is to encourage and develop skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements. The test consists of skating to and interpreting a piece of music. Skaters are tested at four levels: introductory, bronze, silver and gold.
4. Ice Dance consists of seven levels of tests. The program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. The Dance tests are as follows: preliminary, junior bronze, senior bronze, junior silver, senior silver, gold and diamond.
