Intro-to-Figure Skating

This program serves as a gateway into the StarSkate and/or CompetitiveSkate programs. 

Equipment Required: figure skates and a CSA-approved helmet

Upon completion of the Stage 5 Canskate skating skills, the coach/program coordinator and parents/guardians may discuss removing the childs helmet. All helmets must be worn until coach and/or program coordinator and parent approval is granted. 

Session Structure: each session is broken into a Group Lesson, Stroking Lesson and Off-Ice Lesson. 

Group Lesson: the group lesson builds upon the skills learned in Canskate, while teaching the basic figure skating skills such as jumps, spins, turns and steps. 

Stroking Lesson: this lesson is combined with the StarSkate and CompetitiveSkate skaters and focuses on speed, stamina, turns, edges and artistic expression. Skaters will be encouraged to skate with speed and engage in a variety of drills and exercises.

Off-Ice Lesson: this lesson is combined with the StarSkate and CompetitiveSkate skaters and focuses on flexibility, jump/spin technique and cardio. Skaters will participate in a group lesson with different focus areas every week. 

Clothing Recommendation: gloves/mittens, tight-fitting pants, a light jacket or sweater.

Skaters should avoid wearing bulky clothes that inhibits movement. Loose pants can become caught in a skaters skates, posing a safety risk. 

Events: skaters may choose to participate in a variety of events over the course of the season

Fun Competitions - skaters may choose to participate in fun competitions that are held in the city and surrounding communities. These events do have additional costs associated which may include: travel, coaching, registration and clothing. For more information, please contact federationskating@gmail.com. 

Ice Show - every March, we put on a Annual Ice Show which allows skaters to show-off their new skills to friends and family. This event is completely free to participate in. For more information, please contact federationskating@gmail.com.

StarSkate & CompetitiveSkate

StarSkate is a recreational figure skating program that teaches figure skating skills to skaters of all ages. 

CompetitiveSkate is a figure skating program for skaters who wish to compete in Skate Canada competitions. 

Equipment Required: figure skates and yoga mat

Session Structure: most sessions are broken into a Private/Semi-Private Lesson, Stroking Lesson and Off-Ice Lesson. 

Private/Semi-Private Lesson: skaters will select their own coach and work with this coach to build figure skating skills, programs and complete assessments. This coach is responsible for the skater's development and goals.

Stroking Lesson: this lesson is combined with the Intro-to-Figure Skate skaters and focuses on speed, stamina, turns, edges and artistic expression. Skaters will be encouraged to skate with speed and engage in a variety of drills and exercises. Skills are adjusted according to the skater's skating level to ensure that everyone is challenged.

Off-Ice Lesson: this lesson is combined with the Intro-to-Figure Skate skaters and focuses on flexibility, jump/spin technique and cardio. Skaters will participate in a group lesson with different focus areas every week. Skills are adjusted according to the skater's skating level to ensure that everyone is challenged.

Clothing Recommendation: gloves/mittens, tight-fitting pants, a light jacket or sweater.

Skaters should avoid wearing bulky clothes that inhibits movement. Loose pants can become caught in a skaters skates, posing a safety risk. 

Selecting a Coach: all skaters will have the opportunity to select the coach that they will to receive private or semi-private lessons from. 

When selecting a coach, please take into consideration your skaters preference and the skaters goals. Each coaches qualifications and contact information can be viewed on our Coaches Page. 

All communications regarding your skater's development should be held with your coach before approaching any other coach for additional lessons. 

Events: skaters may choose to participate in a variety of events over the course of the season

Competitions - skaters may choose to participate in competitions. These events do have additional costs associated which may include: travel, coaching, registration, accommodations and clothing. For more information, please contact your coach and/or federationskating@gmail.com. 

Ice Show - every March, we put on a Annual Ice Show which allows skaters to show-off their new skills to friends and family. This event is completely free to participate in. For more information, please contact federationskating@gmail.com.

Partnering Sessions - once a skater reaches a particular dance level, they have the opportunity to partner with a professional ice dance partner for practice and then assessment days. These events do have additional costs associated which may include: travel, coaching and dance partner fees. For more information please contact your coach and/or federationskating@gmail.com.

Assessment Levels: skills are divided into four disciplines. Each discipline is then divided into eleven levels - Star 1-10 and Gold. Each level contains a number of skills and is completed upon the passing of the assessment.

Ice Dance -  composed of steps, turns and movements placed on a pattern and skated to music. This discipline teaches edges, flow, control, unison, musicality and timing. These skills are first taught in isolation and then placed on a pattern. May be performed solo, shadowed or with a partner.

Skating Skills - edges, turns, steps and field movements make up this discipline. These skills are the basic components of all figure skating and can be found in the three other disciplines. The skills are judged on edge quality, control, power and speed.

Artistic - designed to challenge a skaters' musicality, expression, movement and creativity. This discipline gives the skaters' the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating. 

Free Skate - consists of jumps, spins, footwork and stroking. These skills are preformed individually or in sequences. This discipline is split into program performance and elements in isolation assessments.