What is Canskate all about?
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. Your child will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. The coach to student ratio is a maximum of 1:10. Skaters will progress at their own rate and coaches will make the session 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.
Kid CanSkate Program is designed for young skaters that are beginning to learn to skate and ½ hour session is a stepping stone to the Canskate program. Once your child has reached the level of moving on, you will be approached to enroll your skater for the hour of CanSkate.There will be a change in price to the program once your child has moved into the one hour session. This will be worked out with ou registration coordinator.
Why sign up for Canskate?
CanSkate is Canada´s only national learn-to-skate 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
- Coloring Sheets
- Theme Days
- Parent information sheets
- Progress updates and report cards
- BMO CanSkater of the Year award program
- 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. Onto 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
Stage 7(optional) Jump Start
The names of the FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT badges are:
Go Forward
Go Backward
Stop
Turn
Spin
Jump
The names of the Fitness badges are:
Fitness I
Fitness II
Your child will learn best if they are comfortable on the ice, so please ensure they are dressed warmly and have skates that fit properly and provide firm ankle support. Helmets are mandatory up to completion of Stage 5. Helmets must be a CSA certified hockey helmet, no ski helmets or bike helemts will be allowed.
