Skating Programs
Every Skate Canada skating program complements the others and allows for unrestricted movement and development through the system. All programs are taught by professional coaches certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and they are offered at member clubs and skating schools across the country.
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.
Advanced CanSkate
Advanced CanSkate is a bridging program for CanSkaters who are working towards the STARSkate program. Skaters who are working on CanSkate Stages 4-6 and beginning STAR 1 are eligible for the Advanced CanSkate program.
Pre-STARSkate
Pre-STARSkate is a program focused on skaters who are working on STAR 1-2. These skaters have mastered the forward and backward edges, 3-turns, mohawks, STAR 1 Dance, up to and including Loop Jump, Back Spin, 2 Foot Spin, and Sit Spin.
STARSkate
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all about! STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. STAR 1 to 5 offers a solid development pathway for skaters who are entering a figure skating program for the first time. The STAR 1-5 program will introduce skaters to the sport of figure skating and its disciplines: Freeskate, Skills and Dance.
CompetitiveSkate
Skaters who wish to challenge their figure skating skills and who show potential as competitive skaters can participate in the CompetitiveSkate program. CompetitiveSkate is a program for skaters in singles, pair and ice dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada. Skaters enrolled in CompetitiveSkate learn a variety of life skills as they progress up the competitive ladder. These include goal setting, focus, ability to deal with success/failure, time management and principles of fair play and sportsmanship. In addition to the life skill benefits, skaters in this program receive: access to provincial and national funding programs (as applicable) the opportunity to be selected to Skate Canada’s National Team the opportunity to compete at Skate Canada Sectionals, Skate Canada Challenge, and/or the Canadian Figure Skating Championships opportunity and potential to be selected to represent Canada internationally access to sport science services.