Learn to Skate

ICE TYKES (3 – 4 1/2 years)

- Parent must remain at “RinkSide” during lessons.  COACHES and VOLUNTEERS are not permitted in the washrooms with the skaters.

- 45 min. Group Instruction included

- Child must wear CSA approved Hockey helmet NO Bike/Board or Ski Helmets allowed

- NO Skate Rental available

Skaters learn balance, control, how to fall and basic skating skills that include forward and backward skating and stopping. Skaters progress to our Canskate program. Child must wear a Hockey helmet, gloves/ mittens & slippery pants. No Skate Rental available.

CANSKATE (4 - 17 yrs plus Adults)

- Parent must remain at “RinkSide” during lessons. COACHES and VOLUNTEERS are not permitted in the washrooms with the skaters.

- 45 min. Group Instruction included

- Child / Adult must wear CSA approved Hockey helmet NO Bike/Board or Ski Helmets allowed

- NO Skate Rental available

Designed for beginners ages 4 years old and up. Skaters learn and develop basic fundamental skating skills, going forward and backward, crossovers and stopping. These skills can be applied to both figure skating and hockey. Skills are arranged in progressions and ribbons/badges are awarded. Skaters will also be introduced to jumps, spins and turns. Maximum 10 skaters to a group. Professional Coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. Skaters progress at their own rate. Canskate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada skating programs. Once skaters have mastered all the skills and badges, they are encouraged to move onto Future Star sessions.

Future Stars

By SKATING DIRECTOR Invitation/Audition ONLY

FALL/WINTER

TWICE a WEEK Program

SPRING/SUMMER 

NO requirement to skate Twice per Week 

- Future STARS is a program for promising, enthusiastic children who have been recommended by our Canskate Coordinator.

- This accelerated "group " program consists of group instruction, off-ice conditioning and on-ice stroking/enrichment.

This program serves as a bridge to the Starskate program

StarSkate

Any Lessons must be arranged through the Program Administrator or Skating Director.

Starskate Sessions:

- are ICE TIME ONLY and does not include Coaching. (coaches will bill lessons).

- Off-Ice "group" instruction  (coaches will bill separately).

- On-Ice Enrichment (coaches will bill separately).

Most sessions are private lessons with “team” coaching.

NOTE: Categories subject to revision and Coaches discretion.

StarSkate 2 - 4 - by Skating Director approval only and working on all single jumps

StarSkate 5 and up - Skaters must have passed Star 5 Freeskate Test / be landing DOUBLE jumps, OR have Skating Director Approval to skate on the StarSkate 5 and up sessions

Notification of Absence

A lot of effort goes into planning of skating sessions by the Coaches for skaters.  No-shows impact the Coaches and other skaters.  Notification of absence must be sent to our Program Administrator or Skating Director (Shannon or Nikolai at  nsb_sk8@yahoo.ca), 24hrs prior to your skating session.  Sometimes accidents and/or illnesses can happen and our coaches are understanding, however notification should be given as soon as possible PRIOR to the start of your skating session. 

Coaches may at their own discretion charge for missed sessions that don’t respect this Notification of Absence. 

PROGRAM ASSISTANTS

These are volunteer STARskaters in our Club who assist our Coaches on Canskate sessions. They serve as “role models” to the younger skaters and assist in the following areas

- Assisting/leading warm-ups, group activities or cool-downs

- Assisting with the set up or circuits and stations

- Leading circuits/rotations

- Demonstrating proper execution of skating skills

- Providing assistance to skaters who may have additional needs.

- Taking attendance, timing speed skills

- Providing general assistance to the coaches on the session

- Providing encouragement and general feedback to skaters

The hours that a PA volunteers are recorded/tracked by the Coaches. Students requiring volunteer hours for High School graduation may request to have a letter written by KFSC for this purpose. It is a great way to get involved with your Club!

Skaters interested in volunteering as a Program Assistant should contact Canskate Coordinator Shannon Balabardin at nsb_sk8@yahoo.ca