CanSkate & Pre-School CanSkate

The CANSKATE Program is designed to teach young skaters the basics of skating in a timely fashion. These basics -GO FORWARD GO BACKWARD STOP TURN SPIN AND JUMP are learned in small steps through 7 levels of progression. In this way the skater can attain a sense of achievement more often as each skill is broken down into 7 levels and there is a reward for each level. Circuits are used in the structured part of the session to review acquired skills and to practise new ones. Games are also an important part of the sessions. You can see the progression of skill development on the progress report given out.

CANSKATE is taught in a group structure with a combination of professional coaches and program assistants. These Program Assistants are skaters or past skaters trained to assist with instruction of the program. They must be knowledgeable about and able to demonstrate, teach and evaluate the skills of the program. They attend training clinics to learn their role in the program.

PRE-SCHOOL CANSKATE is designed for children aged 3-5. It is based on the regular canskate prinicipals, but taught in smaller groups with skating aids and there is more emphases on fun and it is a 30 minute lesson. Although the Club offers a 1-day membership, a 2-day is much more beneficial to the skater. The skaters need the 2 days to progress through the stages of the skills or for the advanced skater 3 days a week.

Special Days: There will be special events throughout the season. (i.e. Halloween, Christmas, dress-up days)Please check the calender to ensure your child doesn’t miss out on the fun. Session Layout: Warm-up & stroking 5 minutes Lesson 30 minutes Games & Creativity 5 minutes Free Time 5 minutes

PLEASE CHECK THE BULLETIN BOARD EVERY TIME YOU COME INTO THE ARENA FOR CHANGES IN SCHEDULE, SPECIAL EVENTS ETC, & PICTURES of SKATERS & RECOGNITION AWARDS It is your responsibility to stay informed. The canskate co-ordinators will be available at the front of the arena during every session for any questions you may want to ask. Please feel free to come and ask questions, give comments or suggestions.

Skaters in CanSkate may move into the STARskate program AT ANY TIME. Please contact a professional coach or board member if you are interested!

 

STARSKATE

When a skater is interested in acquiring more advanced figure skating skills, it is time to consider the STARskate program. Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition is what the STARskate program stands for. This program offers opportunities for skaters to develop figure skating skills in four different disciplines (Skating Skills, Freeskate, Dance and Interpretive) with the option of taking Skate Canada Tests and participating in club, local or regional competitions. Sessions are divided by test level into Preliminary, Bronze and Silver/Gold. Lessons in the STARskate program are taught by Skate Canada professional coaches in private or semi-private format. Lessons should be booked directly with the professional coach of your choice.

Competitive Skate

CanSkate or STARskate participants who show potential as competitive skaters can move into Competitive Skate. This program incorporates a series of tests and other training opportunities to help competitors with potential to advance from regional events to provincial or national championships and beyond.

Adult Skate

We are also pleased to offer an adult skating session for fun and fitness (please note that lessons with a coach are not offered during the adult skate sessions).

PARTNERS IN PERFORMANCE

Sport and recreation should always be athlete-centred, meaning the efforts of all involved should be foremost to provide the opportunity for the athlete to learn and have fun. This requires an array of partners working together for the athlete. Some of the key partners working together to provide that opportunity to your skater and their respective roles are:

The Skater

The development of the skater is the whole purpose for the existence of the club, the coach and Skate Canada. The skaters’ responsibility is to make the most of the resources put before them. The best way for them to do this is to adhere to the necessary basic rules of courtesy during all on-ice activities. Every skater has the duty to show respect for the other skaters of the club and their parents, the volunteers, the coaches, the judges, and the evaluators. In a harmonious club atmosphere, everyone is in a position to gain maximum results from their valuable practice time.

The Parent

The skating parents’ role is to provide physical, emotional and, of course, financial support. Your skater will need you to show an interest in their progress, as well as giving your encouragement and understanding when times are difficult. You help to shape your child’s attitude, how they cope with success and failure, how they relate to other skaters and how they react to criticism. Set a good example, as your child will be watching and learning from you.

The Coach

The role of the coach is to teach and develop young skaters’ technical ability. They are also role models for young skaters. Coaches play an important role in shaping the skaters attitudes towards skating as well as their personal values, such as sportsmanship, discipline and work ethic.

The Club

The club is the vehicle through which Skate Canada programs are delivered to the skaters. With the exception of the coaches, the people who run the club are usually volunteers. Become acquainted with the directors. These people can help answer many questions and concerns. Also, try to help out. Clubs are always looking for volunteers.

The Region

The Thunder Bay Figure Skating Club belongs to the Thunder Country Region. This region consists of 10 clubs in and around the north shore. The region plays an important role, as it is the first step to competing at a provincial level.

The Section

Ontario is divided into four sections. We belong to the Northern Ontario Sections, which consists of 6 regions. Sections play an important role in organising skating at the provincial level, organising and co-ordinating competitions, test days, coaching and judging clinics, seminars, provincial teams, training camps, etc.

SKATE CANADA

Skate Canada is the only recognized amateur sport association for figure skating in Canada , and is a member of the International Skating Union (ISU). Its role is to develop standardized programs for the development of skating. It is responsible for developing uniform rules for the sport, developing national programs such as CanSkate, Test System, and National Coaching Certification Program Officials Training Program etc.