Pre-CanSkate & CanSkate 

This program, coached by NCCP-trained professional coaches and assisted by trained program assistants, is for beginners of all ages who wish to improve their basic skating skills. This program gives your skater confidence on the ice, whether their focus is hockey, ringette, figure skating, speed skating, or just having fun!

Pre-CanSkate is delivered weekly in 30-minute group lessons. CanSkate lessons are delivered through 1-hour sessions in a group format weekly. Skaters progress through a series of balance, control, and agility skills taught in six stages.

To participate, a CSA-approved hockey helmet, mittens, and layers are all you need! Skating attire will change as your skater progresses. The CanSkate program recommends long pants, snow pants, and jackets; mittens and a CSA-approved helmet with a faceguard are required. Skaters pursuing hockey, ringette, and speed skating are encouraged to wear hockey skates throughout the Pre-Canskate and Canskate programs. Skaters looking to pursue figure skating are encouraged to wear well-supported figure skates. Any questions about skates or sharpenings can be directed to coaches or executive members.

STARSkate

After CanSkate, your skater may pursue figure skating through our STARSkate program. NCCP-trained professional coaches teach this program in private, semi-private, and group lesson formats. Skaters will develop skills such as skills, dance, freeskate, and artistic skating. This creates the foundation for singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating.

Skaters of all ages, who have passed all Stage 6 assessment criteria, are invited to continue their journey with Skate Canada through our Star 1-5 and Star 6-Gold programming. Skaters will be assessed in the areas of skills, dance, freeskate, synchronized skating and artistic skating and also have the opportunity to enter recreational and competitive competitions. This program includes some club-provided group lessons, and skaters are encouraged to contact coaches for additional private, semi-private, and group lessons.

To participate in the STARSkate program, skaters are encouraged to wear skating tights (beige or black) and practice pants, dresses or skirts. Light jackets or sweaters and mittens are also encouraged. The STARSkate program involves more complex skills, and for safety reasons, we ask that skaters avoid pants with long and loose bottoms (i.e. bell bottoms) and hair be neatly pulled back and secured. Helmets are not required; however, concussion bands are encouraged for STAR 1-5.