Our Skating Programs

Synchronized Skating
Synchronized skating is a team of skaters working together.  A routine is performed to music.  This is a great environment for skaters to learn team building skills, work together with other skaters and development of sportsmanship.  The synchronized teams typically compete in competitions throughout the season and perform at area carnivals.

Learn to Skate-Junior
This session offers a young skater the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals on how to skate.  The skater is taught the concept of using their arms to help with balance, how to get up properly when they fall down and start to learn to idea of pushing with their blades or edges.  This session is typically for skaters the age of 3-9

Learn to Skate – Senior
This session has the same goal as our Junior learn to skate, however, is geared toward older skaters, 10-19.  These are skaters who have never learned to skate, whether it be for fun or move toward another ice related sport, will learn how to skate, push, stop, and turn.

Canskate
This is the beginning process for a skater to learn how to skate.  There are 5 stages the skater works through.  At each stage, the skater is taught skills to help develop forward skating, backward skating, turning, stopping, spinning and jumping.  All of these skills will help the skater advance toward their choice of ice sport.  Figure Skating, Hockey and Ringette.

Pre-Junior
This session is for skaters who are hoping to move into figure skating, are very eager to learn and want to advance through the stages quickly.  They will have more one on one time and use this as a stepping stone to the Junior/Intermediate session.

StarSkate
Star skate is a program offered by Skate Canada for figure skating techniques.  There are 4 areas of discipline and 5 levels in the Star Skate Program.  Once the skater reaches this level the structure of the program changes.

Levels
Preliminary
Junior Bronze
Senior Bronze
Junior Silver
Senior Silver
Gold

4 Disciplines
Skills – Series of patterns on the ice skated with or without music using various turns and edges.  Typically 3 different patterns are required and learned at each level. 

Dance – Series of steps on ice performed to music.  Dance is typically tested with a partner.  The coach usually tests with a partner through Senior Bronze level.  After that, a dance partner is paid privately by the skater to teach and partner dances for tests.

Freeskate – This area of discipline includes jumps, spins, field movements, movements in isolation.   There is usually a freeskate routine made for the skaters with music for the skater to perform their freeskate skills.  Skaters are billed for their freeskate music and can use it until they test that freeskate and move up.

Interpretive- A program done to music where the concept is to interpret a song, idea or story on ice using presentation and expression.

Testing
Skaters in the StarSkate program are encouraged by the coach to work towards test.  This helps to advance the skater and keep them motivated and interested in the sport.  Tests up to and including the Senior Bronze are usually held at our home arena.  Tests higher up can be held at another arena in the area.   The coach will work with the skater to prepare them for tests and when the coach feels a skater is ready to pass a test, it will be recommended to the skater’s parent.  There is a test fee required for each test.

Special Olympics
Special olympics athletes are urged to contact us to discuss what we can offer. Our flexible programming allows for the best possible placement of our Special Olympic skaters, from 1/2 hour learn to skate sessions, to full integration within our regular programs.

Competitions
There are local area competitions available for the skaters to compete in.  Beginner Canskate level right up to Gold level are eligible to compete.  The coach will hand out a letter to the parents explaining the competition and what the skater may be eligible to compete in close to the time of sign up.  There is a competition fee for each event entered by the skater.  It is a very fun opportunity for the skaters to practice what they have learned and learn what competition and sportsmanship is all about.

Carnival
Typically the club will hold a skating carnival near the end of the season.  This is a great time for skaters to show all of their family and friends what they have learned and how much they have improved.  Carnival is a very fun time for all of the skaters and lots of help is requested to make it fun and successful every year.