Programs: CanSkate is Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. When you sign up for CanSkate you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. The coach to student ratio is a maximum of 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada Skating Programs, and is presented by BMO Financial Group, reflecting their commitment to grassroots development. Why sign up for CanSkate? CanSkate is Canada's only national learn-to-skate program. It was developed by experts to teach the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner. When you/your child registers for a CanSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanSkate program can include: badges stickers tattoos colouring sheets parent information sheets progress updates and report cards special CanSkate events and club functions BMO CanSkater of the Year award program opportunity to be talent-scouted opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity Program Structure The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional 7th level for skaters who want to move into figure skating. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Once the skills on each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges. The names of the STAGE badges are: Stage 1 - Balance Stage 2 - Glide Forward Stage 3 - Glide Backward Stage 4 - Edges Stage 5 - Power Stage 6 - Speed The names of the FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT badges are: Go Forward Go Backward Stop Turn Spin Jump   The final stages of the CanSkate program are transitional stages that serves as a bridge from CanSkate to the STARSkate Program. It introduces many figure skating skills that are included in the Preliminary level tests. The skaters participate in a regular CanSkate session working towards mastering the skating fundaments as well as skating with the StarSkaters which creates a challenging figure skating environment. Skaters who complete Stage 7 are well on their way to taking their first Skate Canada test. Once skaters have mastered the Stage 7 CanSkate Level, they are ready to move into the STARSkate program. This program teaches the fundamentals of Figure Skating in a group setting while perfecting basic skating skills. The names of the STAGE badges are: Stage 5 - Power Stage 6 - Speed Stage 7 - Pre-Preliminary   This program is for the skater who has completed Stage 2 of the CanSkate Program or the skater who can stand up on skates and move forward (shuffle, walk or glide), who may not be ready for CanPowerSkate Level 1. Pre-Power helps develop basic skating abilities in a power skating specific environment. Including: balance, forward and backward skating, stopping, turning and agility skills. The curriculum is presented in three progressive complete with its own awards to encourage participation and motivate skaters. Pre-Power has been designed to run concurrently with CanSkate sessions.   CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasizes how the skills apply to game situations. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those athletes playing on hockey or ringette teams. Its unique skill award program provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve. CanPowerSkate is the only nationally regulated power skating program in Canada. It was developed by a team of hockey, figure skating and ringette experts to teach the fundamentals of power skating in a progressive and sequential manner. The CanPowerSkate program consists of skills divided into six levels, arranged in progressions gradually increasing in complexity. Levels 1 to 3 focus on the fundamentals of skating, Levels 4 to 6 place additional focus on the acquisition of efficient technique, speed, agility, technical aspects of stride and acceleration and skating with the puck/ring. Skaters are evaluated on skill level and are timed as they perform a test involving skills in a course-like pattern. The skater receives a mark combining his skill performance plus test time. This determines whether the skater receives a Bronze, Silver or Gold award bar for that Level.   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 semi -private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating. The STARSkate legacy STARSkate has been the mainstay of figure skating in Canada for more than four decades. When you/your child registers for a STARSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to: Opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills Complimentary Gold Test pins Invitational and interclub competitions, including the national STARSkate championship stream Specifically designed awards and incentives such as badges, tattoos and stickers STARSkate Bursary program STARSkate Skater of the Year awards program Progress updates and report cards Special STARSkate events and club functions Opportunity to be talent-scouted Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure. How STARSkate works The STARSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. Each area is divided into the following levels: Primary Level Tests Skating Skills: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Free Skating: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Interpretive: Introductory Intermediate Level Tests Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Free Skating: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Interpretive: Bronze Senior Level Tests Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold Free Skating: Senior Silver, Gold Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond What Options do I have as a STARSkate Athlete? Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several of options. Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, taking tests (although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program or become involved in synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult or varsity member. Skating Skills Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating - edge quality, control, power and speed. Ice Dance Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters' creativity, artistry and originality. Free Skate Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music. Each test consists of 2 parts - Elements in Isolation and a Free Program. Competitons for STARSkate Athletes STARSkate participants love to compete! Our feedback indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada Competitive Skate Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this.