Skate Canada Programs: CanSkate
Skate Kingston Learn to Skate Programs offer Skate Canada sanctioned recreational programs with NCCP Certified Professional Coaches. 
This program is for skaters ages 4 and up who are willing and able to go on the ice unassisted by a parent. This 45 min. program allows skaters to continue to master basic skating skills that include skating forwards, backwards, jumping, and spinning, turning and stopping. Skaters receive ongoing incentives and a report card in December and March. Please see the Skate Canada information below identifying the curriculum and the badge requirements and levels.
Exciting news – CanSkate even better!
We have developed a new CanSkate program based on Sport Canada’s long term athlete development (LTAD) principles. Exciting new features include a fresh new look, new awards, great tools for coaches and most importantly a tested and proven new curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster. But there’s more! The new program also includes specific skills that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating. The result is a dynamic new program that prepares all skaters for virtually every ice sport.
Skate Canada is also proud to have all its programs taught by professional coaches who are specially trained and certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Our clubs from across Canada are excited as they prepare to welcome and serve learn to skate clientele from every walk of life, age and every interest level. Clubs will have two years from now to prepare and phase in the new program. All clubs will ready to go as of September 1, 2014. We are pleased to note that we have some early adopters who are up and running now – take a look!
Be a part of the fun – join a Skate Canada club today and learn to skate with 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.
Why sign up for CanSkate?
CanSkate is Canada’s only national learn-to-skate program. It was developed by experts to teach the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner.
When you/your child registers for a CanSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanSkate program can include:
- badges
- stickers
- tattoos
- colouring sheets
- parent information sheets
- progress updates and report cards
- special CanSkate events and club functions
- CanSkater of the Year award program
- opportunity to be talent-scouted
- opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity
These are some of the awards and incentives that have been developed to encourage athletes in CanSkate:
Program Structure
The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional 7th level for skaters who want to move into figure skating. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Once the skills on each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges.
The names of the STAGE badges are:
Stage 1 – Balance
Stage 2 – Glide Forward
Stage 3 – Glide Backward
Stage 4 – Edges
Stage 5 – Power
Stage 6 – Speed
Stage 7 (optional) – Pre-Preliminary
The names of the FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT badges are:
Go Forward
Go Backward
Stop
Turn
Spin
Jump
The names of the FITNESS badges are:
Fitness I
Fitness II
