Program Information
See below the many programs we offer:​
Pre-Canskate
Pre-CanSkate program introduces skaters to skating and teach basic movements on ice. Skaters are taught by National Certified Coaches to build their confidence and build basic skating skills. From standing on two feet to being able to jump and glide, there is a spot for every person wanting to learn how to skate.
Canskate
Canskate is the flagship Skate Canada learn-to-skate program offered in Skate Ontario clubs and skating schools. This program welcomes skaters of all ages, skill levels and abilities while providing an adaptive skill set for skaters. CanSkate develops the basic fundamental skating skills needed to participate in all ice sports or skills to join in and stay active through the love of skating.
Pre-Star (Canskate stages 5-6)
Pre-Star is the program for skaters within the Canskate program who want to follow the figure skating pathway. This program is a program to transition the skaters from Canskate to Starskate. Skaters within this program get one hour on the ice with starskaters to practice with a coach for 15 minutes and on their own for the rest of the hour.
StarSkate
The StarSkate program introduces the sport of figure skating. This program provides the building blocks of our sport to support a skaters development in any area of figure skating they choose to explore.
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The StarSkate program is composed of 5 disciplines that each skater will explore. The disciplines include:
Freeskate
Skaters learn the basics of stand-alone elements (i.e. jumps, spins, etc.). As they progress they will be given the opportunity to perform a program to music with these elements incorporated.
Dance
Dance is inspired by ballroom dance and provides skaters the opportunity to explore different musical styles, dance specific elements and introduces full ice Dance sequences. Dance can be done solo, shadow or with a partner.
Skills
The program of Skills creates the foundation of all other disciplines. Development in this area is essential for quality acquisition of the basic skating skills needed to be successful in any figure skating discipline.
Within the skills discipline you skater will learn:
- To use different edges on their blades.
- to efficiently generate power with the blade.
- The development of turns with control.
- Introduction to variety of field moves.
Artistic
Artistic skating allows skaters to explore emotions through movement to music. Programs to music are created using a combination of edges, steps & turns, creative spins and different field moves. The artistic discipline provides skaters the opportunity to learn the basics of creative movement and expression to a range of musical styles on and off the ice.
Synchronized Skating
Synchronized Skating (synchro for short) is a team discipline, that has groups of skaters performing a variety of elements in unison. Skaters can expect to be introduced to basic formations such as circles, lines, blocks, intersections, and performing field moves in unison.
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The Star 1-5 program includes a full complement of progressive assessment opportunities. These assessments enable skaters to set and achieve goals and measure progression through the StarSkate program.
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