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 Financial Group, reflecting their commitment to grassroots development.

Junior Enrichment Academy (JEA): New Killarney Program
For the skater who is interested in developing beyond the recreational level into the test and competitive program. An introductory figure skating program that introduces skaters to all disciplines of figure skating, freeskate (spins, jumps, footwork), skating skills, and ice dance, while continuing to work on the correct technique of essential skating skills. Classes include 1 hr on ice instruction and 1/2 hour off-ice enrichment class. This program runs 2 days/week.

Participation within this program is by audition and assessment by the program coordinator. Please contact us at 604-430-2330 or by email (info@killarneyskatingclub.com) to set up an appointment for assessment or call for more information.

Must be working on level 4 badge, or higher and be 10 or under as of September 1, 2007 and/or approval of program coordinator.

Beginner Starskate
Is an introduction to figure skating aimed at the recreational skater who is 10 years of age or over and has passed level 6. This program introduces skaters to all disciplines of figure skating as free skate, skating skills, and ice dance, while continuing to work on the correct technique of essential skating skills. This program runs 2 days/week.

Must bave completed level 6 badge approval of program coordinator.

PRIVATE SKATING LESSON OPTIONS

The following is meant as a guideline only. The actual number of lessons and skating times each week should be determined by the parents and coach based on the skater's individual goals and needs.

Recreational

• Learn new skills with no desire to participate in test stream or competition.
• Continue to skate on a casual basis - once or twice a week
• Work on a variety of skills - an informal goal
• Recommended lessons = 1 - 15 minute lesson/per week, in private lesson or small group format.

Star Skate

• Skills, Free Skate, Dance, Artistic
• Determine which discipline(s) you wish to pursue
• Should be skating more than once a week
• Work towards specific tests - more structured goal
• Recommended lessons = 1 - 15 minute lesson/per discipline/week (possibly more if choreography is required or close to a test date)
• May enter competitions organized for the Star Skate skater.

*It is always your choice as to which areas you pursue but it is important to point out that a skater will benefit from exploring all disciplines.

Competitive Skate

• Very specific goals
• Must pass certain Competitive Skater tests to qualify for competition
• Must skate a minimum of 2 sessions a week (more is recommended)
• Extra lessons (recommended 2 - 15 minute lesson/per week for free skate alone to work on solo, skills and conditioning) – lessons to increase as skater advances
• Requires more dedication and good independent work habits
• Be familiar with the official Rule Book
• Spring and Summer Skating is advisable and will vary depending on your goals
• Financial considerations - costs more
• Extra skating hours
• Extra circular activities to enhance skating - dance, off-ice conditioning
• Proper yearly plan - to ensure reaching desired performance level and goals
• Additional coaching costs (if out of town travel required - mileage/transportation and accommodation)
• Competition goals

SKATING DISCIPLINES AND DEFINITIONS

The Skate Canada Test Program offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic skating skills in four different areas: Skating Skills, Free Skating, Dance and Artistic. Each discipline is grouped into the following levels:

Primary Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
• Free Skating: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
• Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze

Intermediate Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
• Free Skating: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
• Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Dance Variation, Bronze Rhythm Dance
• Artistic: Bronze, Adult

Senior Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold
• Free Skating: Senior Silver, Gold
• Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond, Silver and Gold Interpretive Dance
• Artistic: Silver, Gold

The Skating Skills Program consists of six levels beginning with Preliminary (the first level) and ending with Gold (the final level). Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating (e.g. edge quality, control, power and speed).

There are six free skating tests in the Skate Canada Test Program: Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver and Gold. Each test consists of: Elements in Isolation (jumps, spins, field moves, stroking) and a Free Program (solo), which must include specific elements as defined in the official Skate Canada Rule Book. The candidate must successfully pass the Elements in Isolation portion before proceeding to the Free Program.

The Skate Canada Test Program offers something for everyone! In addition to Skating Skills and Free Skating, skaters can also hone their skills in ice dancing. Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test Program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.
The dances in the Test Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass all the dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the compulsory dances, there are also Variation, Rhythm and Interpretive Dance tests, which can be taken once a skater has obtained a certain level.

Artistic skating was introduced into the Skate Canada test program in order to encourage creativity and movement to music, and to provide an opportunity for those skaters wishing to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements. Skaters can take tests as individuals or as a couple (male/female, female/female, and male/male) at the following levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Adult.

A skater may enter competitions whether they are participating in the StarSkate or Competitive Skate Test Programs. The Competitive Skate program is intended for those skaters who are serious competitors and are capable of performing the challenging requirements. The skater must choose which program they wish to participate in and may not combine. Skaters usually begin in the Star Skate and switch to Competitive Skate at a later date as decided between the coach and parents of the skater. Many skaters who compete in the qualifying event structure also take tests in Skate Canada's STARSkate Program or participate on Synchronized Skating teams. The only events that you may not be able to compete in are club, Interclub and National STARSkate events, some which restrict entry of skaters who have competed in the qualifying event system.

**All dialogs on this page were copied from the Skate Canada web site**

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