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.
The Kingston Silver Blades, Special Olympics Learn-to-Skate and figure skating program, is offered at the Kingston Memorial Centre on Saturdays from 11am-12 pm October through March each year. We are a part of Skate Kingston as well as being registered with Skate Canada. Skaters with an intellectual or developmental disability are invited to skate with the Kingston Silver Blades. Skills are taught from the Skate Canada “CanSkate” program. All levels of skaters are welcome, from the beginner who has never skated before, up to and including competitive levels. Skaters have the opportunity to participate in the annual Regional Competition, which offers events for the beginner skater, as well as events for competitive skaters hoping to advance to Provincial, National and International Competitions.
We have a strong base of volunteers to assist the Head Coach in teaching skating skills and facilitating a fun sport environment. Our volunteers include individuals who have been with the program since its inception, as well as a collection of Queen’s University students, many of whom are varsity figure skaters and have a strong skating background. The number of volunteers assisting with our program often results in a 3:1 ratio of skaters to volunteers, which helps the skaters engage in the program and make great progress.
Our Head Coach is Skate Canada certified and has the credentials to coach at all levels of Special Olympics competition ranging from regional to international.
Skaters may also wish to visit the Special Olympics Ontario Kingston (SOOK) website for additional information about our local chapter of Special Olympics Canada.
Head Coach – Lisa Janssen – 613-329-0605 – email
Team Manager – Kathy Bennett – 613-546-5426 – email
