Our Programs - Canskate

CanSkate is Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program and is one of the most sought-after skating programs in Canada. The program  is for beginners of any age and teaches fundamental movements and basic skills including forward and backward skating, stopping  and turning. The focus is on fun, participation as well as basic skill development. The CanSkate program provides an excellent foun 

dation for all skating sports including figure skating, hockey, ringette, speed skating as well as recreational skating. Lessons are giv en in a group format and are led by our certified professional coaches and are assisted by trained Program Assistants who are vol unteers.  

CanSkate A is our introductory skating program for children 4+ who have little or no skating experience. Basic skill development  focuses on balance, falling down and getting up unassisted, moving forward and backward, jumping on the spot, building confi dence and most importantly having fun! Lessons are offered 1-2 times a week for 30 minutes. Please be patient with your new  skater as your child will progress at his/her own rate. Parents are NOT to accompany their skater on the ice during lessons. This is  for Skate Canada insurance purposes, as well as we find that children will respond better to instructions when left in the care of  coaches.  

CanSkate B is designed for children with some experience or older. Participants earn ribbons and badges as skills are mastered.  The learning environment is enhanced through fun, music, and colourful teaching aids and props along with praise and feedback from coaches. This unique intro-to-ice environment is designed to stimulate and maintain interest and enthusiasm among skaters,  allowing participants to gain the physical competency and confidence to remain active for life! Lessons are offered up to twice a  week. 

CANSKATE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES  

• To provide skaters with safe, welcoming, and inclusive first experience to the sport of skating
• To develop skating and motor skills through natural learning phases (introduction, acquisition, retention, mastery) 
• To use skill progression and repetition throughout the stages to introduce physical literacy and establish quality basic  skating skills  
• To foster personal achievements and satisfaction through skill acquisition, rewards, and recognition and evoke a life-long  interest in skating. 

LESSON FORMAT  

CanSkate lessons are broken down into the following key activities: 

1. Warm-up: Skaters arrive on the ice and immediately begin skating around the perimeter of the ice, following the Coach  leading the warm-up. Help is available for unsure skaters.  
   
   
2. Lesson time: Lessons addresses a Skate Canada Fundamental Skill - Balance, Control & Agility. Each Fundamental skill has  increasingly more complex requirements as the skater progresses through the CanSkate Stages.  
   
   
3. Circuits: Circuits allow for a series of skills joined together without a break in skating. Skaters benefit by moving over 90% of  the time allowing for a focus on both fitness and skill development. Coaches will assess and give feedback to skaters as they move through the circuits and practice the skills.  
   
   
4. Challenge Zone: The idea of the fun zone is to promote agility, skill development, and fun! The fun zone encourages fitness,  increases practice opportunities and improves the rate of skill acquisition among skaters through games and other activities. 
   
   
5. Cool Down and Group Activity: This time gives the skater time to practice what they have learned that day in new and fun  ways before they go home  
   
   
6. PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND AWARDS The CanSkate program curriculum is organized into six progressive stages of learning.  Each stage is broken down into three Fundamental Areas: Balance: Concentrating on forward skills, pushing technique, and  edges Control: Concentrating on backwards skills, stopping and speed elements Agility: Concentrating on turning and jump ing skills Stage Badges – There are 6 stage badges and 18 Fundamental movement ribbons. To pass a stage, skaters must  achieve all Fundamental Area ribbons (Balance, Control, Agility) from the corresponding Stage.  

Click here to view our Detailed Canskate Handbook