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. Lessons are given in a group format and led by our NCCP certified professional coaches, accompanied by trained Program Assistants. 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. Will result in completion of Pre-CanSkate through CanSkate Stage 6.

In the PreSTAR Program, skaters learn advanced CanSkate skills and are introduced to stroking, edgework, and turning. The PreSTAR Program consists of 1– 4 days/week of on ice and off ice group lessons. Entrance is by coach recommendation or invitation. 

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Required Criteria prior to registration: CanSkate Stages 5 + 6

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 that includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system, and to participate in competitions.

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The STARSkate Development Program should consist of 2–4 days/week of on ice and off ice group lessons. In the STARSkate Development Program, skaters finish any remaining CanSkate skills and begin working on the Skate Canada STARSkate Program in a group environment. Here they prepare Star 1 skills with a goal of attending their first Star 1 event at a local Skate Canada sanctioned competition.

Star 1 skills include: stroking, spinning, jumping, spirals, and a one minute improvised routine skated to a pre-chosen piece of music. Entrance is by coach recommendation or invitation.

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Required Criteria prior to registration: CanSkate Stage 6, Beginners understanding of STAR 1, Pre-Test/Competitive - Encouraged to participate in a STAR 1 competition.

STARSkaters may wish to progress to the Skate Canada Competitive Program. STARSkate sessions are offered at several skills levels (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior). STARSkaters and Competitive Skaters may engage a Skate Canada Certified Professional Coach to teach private lessons on our Open and Freeskate ice. Ice time fees are paid to the Club, whilst private lesson fees are paid to the Coach.

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STARSkate 2+ is broken up into the following ice time sessions:

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Spins - Practising only spins for the designated time period to eliminate the interference of jumps, solo practice or other skating activity happening. This allows skaters to focus on spin practice.

Skills/Dance -  Time allocated to Skate Canada Skills and Dance testing material.  Skills are sets of turns and edges performed on patterns or semi-circles and also includes stroking patterns.  Stroking is mainly patterns of basic skating skills that can incorporate turns and edges. Dance refers to ice dances, such as Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Baby Blues, etc.  All STARSkate testing can be seen on the Skate Canada website.

Enrichment -  More in depth work on various aspects of skating not usually focused upon during other sessions and not necessarily Skate Canada specified for testing.  Can include stroking technique and exercises, edge and turn exercises, creative exercises, and field moves (spiral, spread eagle, ina bauer, etc.)

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Required Criteria prior to registration: Passed STAR 1, continuing with Skate Canada STARSkate testing and STAR level competition.

We have an active group of adult members at all levels. If you are an adult who wants to learn to skate, or an experienced adult skater, we have programs and ice available. Please see our STARSkate, Competitive, and Adult registration form on our Registration page, or contact the office for more details at admin@kitsfsc.ca

Off-ice training is essential for all Skate Canada members from PreSTAR to the elite athletes competing at the Olympics. Incorporating fitness training into a club’s PreSTAR and STARSkate program ensures that Canadian children are getting the appropriate level of physical activity, as outlined in Health Canada’s “Guide to Physical Activity for Youth”. It also ensures that young figure skaters recognize that off-ice training is part of training for our sport. Incorporating regular off-ice training into an athlete’s annual training plan will help ensure that our members are doing all they can to achieve their own level of personal excellence in whatever Skate Canada program they are enrolled.

As the athlete develops, training will become more specific and include the following areas:

• Core Stability, Strength Training, Functional Movement

• Aerobic and Anaerobic Training

• Flexibility Training

• Creative Movement / Dance Movement

• Nutrition

• Mental Training