Fall and Winter 2024-2025 

 

Welcome to STARSKATE!

Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition

 

STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skills, free skate and artistic 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 Assessments through a nationally standardized assessment system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating at various levels.

How STARSkate Works

The STARSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas –  Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Artistic. Each area is divided into the following levels: STAR 1-5 Skills, STAR 1-5 Dance, STAR 1-5 Free Skate and STAR 5 Artistic. All STAR 1-5 levels are assessed by a coach.

Intermediate Level Assessments: STAR 6-8 Skills, STAR 6-8 Dance, STAR 6-8 Free Skate, STAR 7 Artistic

Senior Level Assessments: STAR 9, 10 & Gold Skills, STAR 9, 10, Gold & Diamond Dance, STAR 9, 10 & Gold Free Skate, STAR 9 & Gold Artistic

 

STARSkate Pathways

Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several options. Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, taking assessments (although not mandatory) at organized assessment sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada assessments. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada Competitive Skate Program or become involved in synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult or varsity member as many colleges and universities have figure skating teams.

Session Structure: each session is broken into a Group Lesson, Stroking Lesson and Off-Ice Lesson (not on Sunday due to COVID). 

Group Lesson: the group lesson builds upon the skills learned in CanSkate, while teaching the basic figure skating skills such as jumps, spins, turns and steps. 

Stroking Lesson: this lesson focuses on speed, stamina, turns, edges and artistic expression. Skaters will be encouraged to skate with speed and engage in a variety of drills and exercises.

Off-Ice Lesson: this lesson is combined with the StarSkate and CompetitiveSkate skaters and focuses on flexibility, jump/spin technique, dance and cardio. Skaters will participate in a group lesson with different focus areas every week. This is an important lesson to develop a well- rounded skater.

 

Who are the Coaches?

Besides having a minimum skating level of one Senior Bronze test, current first aid, police background check and be over the age of 18. Our coaches have also achieved the following (some coaches will have continued to pursue higher levels of coaching as well);

STARSkate qualified coaches have passed the certification to be a CanSkate coach as well as attended a 3 day course including Star 1-5 content, skill analysis and skater development. In addition, they have completed the multi- sport course inclusive of making ethical decisions, planning a lesson, teaching and learning, designing a sport program as well as mental skills for athletes. Following the success of those components, our STAR coaches submit a portfolio for assessment including their coaching philosophy and goals. They must also successfully be assessed on their ability to teach two technical lessons, complete mentorship hours under a certified coach, submit a mock assessment and submit a weekly lesson plan to a Skate Ontario evaluator. Your skater is in good hands.

Most of our STARSkate participants will engage in private/ semi private lessons to pursue their love for skating with time that is dedicated specifically to them. You can read more about private lessons in our accompanying document. In order to pursue the Skate Canada assessment opportunity beyond STAR 5 or to attend competitions, a skater will require a private coach.

 

Equipment Required: figure skates, gloves/mittens, tight-fitting pants/ leggings, a light jacket or sweater and a CSA-approved helmet. Upon completion of the Stage 5 CanSkate skating skills, the coach/program coordinator and parents/guardians may discuss removing the child’s helmet. All helmets must be worn until coach and/or program coordinator and parent approval is granted. Your skates will require a specific sharpening for figure skates. Please discuss appropriate places to get your skates sharpened with a coach.

 

Events: (restrictions due to COVID) skaters may choose to participate in a variety of events over the course of the season

Fun Competitions - skaters may choose to participate in fun competitions that are held in the city and surrounding communities. These events do have additional costs associated which may include: travel, coaching, registration and clothing. Skaters must have a private coach to do this.

Program Development Opportunities /Ice Show – (restrictions due to COVID), our Board Members and Coaches assist in the creation of PDO and an Ice Show which allows skaters to show-off their new skills to friends and family throughout the year.

 

 

 

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