Program Information
The CanSkate Program is the Skate Canada's learn to skate program and is a progression program divided into six stages with an optional seventh stage as a stepping stone from the CanSkate program to the Skate Canada Figure Skating Program. Helmet Policy The objectives of the CanSkate program are: *To introduce skaters to the 6 fundamental movements of skating in a safe, fun environment. *To enable skaters to move through the Skate Canada system in a seamless manner. *To encourage and identify "talented skaters" and enable them to fast-track through the Skate Canada system *To provide basic skating instruction in a group situation. Each stage has a specific goal for the skater and all stages have the same fundamental movements, which get progressively harder as skaters move up the stages. Optional Stage 7 is a pre-preliminary Stage before Skate Canada test and/or competitive figure skating. Plus each Stage has a set of Challenge Skills. Goals
The fundamental movements are Go Forwards, Go Backwards, Stop, Turn, Spin and Jump. The fundamental movement in each stage has 1 to 5 elements, which must be mastered before the Stage or fundamental movement is completed. Badges are awarded to the skaters as they complete each stage and each fundamental movement. Skaters can usually complete the CanSkate program in two to three years. Canskate 1 is for beginners age 3- 5 years old or returning skaters in this age group working on their first three badges. Canskate 2 is beginners age 6 years and older or returning skaters in this age group working on their first three badges. Canskate 3 is for skaters who have completed their first three badges and are working on stages 4 to 6. Adult learn-to-skate skaters from beginner up can also join this group. The Canskate program usually starts around the middle of October and continues through until the end of March. We do have registration in September and again in January. We also usually offer a Canskate program during our Spring and Fall School. This would be for skaters who wish to continue working on their badges The CanSkate program is taught by Professional Coaches with the help of Program Assistants who are members of our Skate Canada program. Program Assistants have training provided by the Professional Coaches prior to assisting with the CanSkate Program. The CanSkate skaters are evaluated at each session by one of the Professional Coaches and when they master all the skills required at each stage, they are moved to the next level. After CanSkate, a skater can move into the Pre-Junior program, Junior or Intermediate program. PLEASE HAVE SKATES SHARPENED BEFORE ATTENDING YOUR FIRST CANSKATE SESSION PARENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE ICE DURING THE CANSKATE SESSION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
