CanSkate

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. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. The coach to student ratio is a maximum of 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions 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, reflecting their commitment to grassroots development.

CanPowerSkate

 

CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasizes how the skills apply to game situations. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those athletes playing on hockey or ringette teams. Its unique skill award program provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve.

CanPowerSkate is geared to skaters aged approximately six or older who already have basic forward and backward skating skills (they must be able to skate the length of the rink using alternate strides) and are able to stop on command without use of the boards. For safety reasons participants should wear full hockey/ringette equipment that is CSA approved. The coach to skater ratio is 1:10.

CanPowerSkate's Pre-Power is designed for young skaters, approximately four to six years of age who can stand up on skates and move forward (shuffle, walk or glide) who may not be ready for CanPowerSkate Level 1. Pre-Power helps develop basic skating abilities in a power skating-specific environment, including balance skills, forward and backward skating, stopping, turning and agility skills. The curriculum is presented in three progressive levels complete with its own awards to encourage participation and motivate skaters. Pre-Power has been designed to run concurrently with CanSkate sessions

STARSkate

 

Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all about!

STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating.

Competitive Skate

The Competitive Test Program is a testing program for skaters in singles, pairs and dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada. Skaters take tests specific to the discipline (Singles, Pairs and Dance) in which they wish to compete. A skater or team may begin testing at the level at which they wish to compete (there are no test pre-requisites). Skaters enrolled in CompetitiveSkate learn a variety of life skills as they progress up the competitive ladder. These include goal setting, focus, ability to deal with success/failure, time management and principles of fair play and sportsmanship.

AdultSkate

Adult skating is growing in popularity and more and more clubs are offering recreational, test and competitive opportunities to this segment of the population. Adults participate in CanSkate, STARSkate and CanPowerSkate programs as well as on synchronized skating teams. Adult championships currently provide opportunities to adult skaters to experience the challenge of a competition in a fun, social environment.

Special Olympics

 

Skate Canada is committed to providing special needs athletes with program and competitive opportunities. Liaising regularly with Special Olympics Canada as well as other sport organizations for athletes with a disability, Skate Canada provides updates and support to member clubs regarding strategies on how to integrate Special Olympians and other special needs skaters into regular club programming. For information on Special Olympics figure skating competitions in your province please contact your Skate Canada Section office or Provincial Chapter of Special Olympics Canada.

Special Olympics Nova Scotia
5516 Spring Garden Road, Suite 305
Halifax NS B3J 1G6
Toll Free: 1-866-299-2019
Fax: (902) 425-5606 www.sons.ca

Synchronized Skating

Synchronized skating, or "synchro" is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow. Skate Canada’s SynchroSkate program includes a number of Synchronized Skating categories which accommodate skaters at any age and skill level.

Synchronized skating has grown in popularity around the world and Canada is considered a world-leader in this discipline. In 2000 the first ever World Synchronized Skating Championships were hosted in the United States. Canada's black ice captured a silver medal at the inaugural event. In 2003, Skate Canada was proud to host the World Synchronized Skating Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. Then in 2009, Nexxice brought home Canada’s first gold medal in the discipline of Synchronized Skating from the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

In Canada there is one event stream of Synchronized Skating and teams may register for the season in the following levels:

  • Beginner I
  • Beginner II
  • Elementary
  • Juvenile
  • Pre-Novice
  • Novice
  • Intermediate
  • Open
  • Junior
  • Senior
  • Adult I
  • Adult II
  • Adult III

Specific technical requirements have been determined for each level based on skill development and age restrictions. There are no test prerequisites to participate on any level of Synchro team.

Memoirs of the Past 25 Years of Synchronized Skating in Canada

Regional Synchronized Skating Championships

The Regional Synchronized Skating Championships are held annually in five regions across the country. Each Region is made up of Sections specific to their geographical location. The Mountain Region includes British Columbia/Yukon and Alberta/NWT/Nunavut Sections. The Prairie Region consists of the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Sections. The Ontario Region is made up of the Northern Ontario, Western Ontario, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario Sections. The Quebec Region is comprised of the Quebec Section and the Atlantic Region includes the New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador Sections. There is no qualification process to enter the Regional Synchronized Skating events, however, a qualification round may be held if the number of entries warrants it. Regional events are held in late January to early February of each year.

The Regional events provide a developmental and competitive experience for synchronized skating teams at all levels. The final result in each Region shall determine the teams eligible to enter the equivalent National qualifying competition at the Novice, Intermediate, Open, Junior and Senior levels.

Each Region is eligible to enter one team into each category at the Championship event. For every 15,000 registered associate members in the Sections included in the Region, an additional team may be entered into each category at the Championship event. The number of sustaining members shall be determined by the membership year September 1 to August 31 of the year preceding the qualifying event. Also, teams placing in the top five at the Synchronized National event will grant their Region an additional entry (or entries) into the respective Canadian qualifying round the following year.

Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

Teams at the Novice, Intermediate, Open, Junior and Senior levels compete annually at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. National Champions for this discipline of skater are declared at these Championships for all levels involved.

It is at these Championships that Senior teams are selected to represent Canada at the World Synchronized Skating Championships and various other international events. Also, following this national event, the Synchronized Skating National Team is selected.

The Junior teams for World Challenge Cup are selected earlier in the season at Winterfest, hosted by the Central Ontario Section. Also, following this event, the Junior National team is selected.

Adult Synchronized Skating

Skate Canada’s SynchroSkate program offers adult skaters the opportunity to participate in the discipline as well. With three adult categories, skaters of all skill levels and experience may join a team and compete at various club, interclub, invitational and regional competitions.

Since the discipline of Synchronized Skating is included in the Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships, adult teams also have the opportunity to compete at the national level at this invitational event.