Pre-Can/CanSkate 

• Children ages 3-5 who have not had any significant time on skates can join Pre-Can Skate
• Children ages 5 and up who can work independently within a group lesson would be part of CanSkate (children ages 3-5 may be moved into CanSkate with director approval after they have passed Pre-CanSkate). 

• We have developed a new CanSkate program based on Sport Canada’s long term athlete development (LTAD) principles. Exciting new features include a fresh new look, new awards, great tools for coaches and most importantly a tested and proven new curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster. But there’s more! The new program also includes specific skills that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating. The result is a dynamic new program that prepares all skaters for virtually every ice sport.
• Skate Canada is also proud to have all its programs taught by professional coaches who are specially trained and certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
• CanSkate is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.
• CanSkate teaches the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport whether the focus be for hockey, ringette, figure skating, speed skating or just skating for fun.
• Designed for those children ages 5 and up who can work independently within a group lesson (children ages 3-5 may be moved into this program with permission of the CanSkate director after they have passed Pre-CanSkate). 
•  Taught by NCCP-trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants.
• Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions interactive using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. 
• Please refer to What Level is My Skater if you are uncertain which stage to choose for your skater.
• Approved CSA hockey helmets are mandatory and children will not be permitted on the ice without one. See the Helmet Use Policy.
• A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.

What can you expect?

Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.

• In order to see rapid improvement in skating skills it is highly recommended that children skate more than 1 session a week once in CanSkate.  Therefore, we offer a 20% discount on the subsequent classes if a skater registers for two or more classes in the same Season (e.g. two classes in the Fall or two classes in the Winter).

• A 30 minute non-parented class for children ages 3-5 who have not had any significant time on skates. It is designed to introduce children to the ice and help them become comfortable. This program teaches children the basics of how to get up when they fall down, how to move forward, basic backward movement and how to stop. Music, toys and games are used to help children feel ready to take the next step. 
• All lessons are done in a group format, so children must be somewhat independent and not require one-on-one supervision. Children must be toilet trained.
• Once a participant has gained confidence and shown skill in gliding on each foot, stopping, and getting up from a down position they can move on to the CanSkate program. Please refer to What Level is My Skater if you are uncertain which stage to choose for your skater.
• Skaters are to be dressed warmly for classes including waterproof mitts or gloves. Snowpants are also recommended. 
• Approved CSA hockey helmets are mandatory and children will not be permitted on the ice without one. See the Helmet Use Policy. The club does not provide any equipment other than teaching aids.
• Taught by NCCP-trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants.
• A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.

What can you expect?

Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.

• In order to see rapid improvement in skating skills it is highly recommended that children skate more than 1 session a week once in CanSkate.  Therefore, we offer a 20% discount on the subsequent classes if a skater registers for two or more classes in the same Season (e.g. two classes in the Fall or two classes in the Winter). 

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Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.

• All you need are skates, a CSA-approved hockey helmet, long pants, mittens, warm sweater or jacket. Dress in layers – it will get warm!
• Figure or hockey skates can be worn but must provide good support.  If the skater can stand in their laced-up boots on a carpet with the skates perpendicular, i.e. not leaning in or out, the support is adequate for this level.  An approved CSA hockey helmet is mandatory and children will not be permitted on the ice without one.
• Figure skates have a toe pick which is needed for jumps.   However, when wearing figure skates children often push with the toe pick and so can move without bending their knees, a very bad habit which is difficult to break.   Hockey skates are useful in that the child has to push with the whole blade and in doing so has to bend his/her knees.   We want skaters to progress as far as possible even if they do not go on to figure skating or hockey.   If a child learns on hockey skates and wishes to become a figure skater they have to adjust their technique slightly.  

PreCanSkate: Includes children ages 3-5 who have not had significant time on the ice and are able to work in a group lesson format. 

Stage 1: Ages 5 to 10 and can work independently in a group lesson (children ages 3-5 may be moved into this program with permission of the CanSkate director after they have passed Pre-CanSkate). The skater has limited skating experience

• Stage 2 required skills:
• Forward 2 foot glide
• Backward 2 foot skating/walking
• Turn both clock wise and counter clock wise

Stage 3 required skills:

• Forward and Backward 2 foot to 1 foot glide on both right and left feet
• Backward 2 foot sit glide 
• Forward 2 foot jump
• Two foot turn with speed

Stage 4 required skills:

• Walking crosscuts on both right and left
• Backward push/glide sequence
• Backward 2 foot jump
• Two foot jump turn with speed

The CanSkate program teaches skills that prepare skaters for popular Canadian sports like figure skating, hockey, ringette and speed skating, by working on the skaters’ balance, speed, control and agility.

The Junior Development Program is a unique bridging program that allows skaters to learn about figure skating and become comfortable with using the entire ice surface before entering into private/semi-private lessons with a coach. It is suited for skaters who have successfully completed CanSkate Stage 4, 5 or 6. The Junior Development Program offers group lesson instruction that includes all ice and coaching fees. This program generally involves two on ice sessions a week, but we also offer a one day option. It focuses on the fundamental skills of skating with the goal of building strength and confidence on the ice. Skaters are taught in a small group by a nationally certified professional coach in a fun and positive environment.

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