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 and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating.

Skating is divided into 4 disciplines: skills, dance, freeskate and interpretive. When the coach decides the skater has mastered a level of one of these disciplines the coach will submit the skater's name to be tested. During the year there are specific test days set up and an evaluator comes to evaluate the skater and determine if the skater has skated the skills required to pass the test.

The Lake Bonavista Recreation Center is a shared facility. We share ice with hockey, both youth and adult leagues. Our ice times are from 4:00-6:00PM and as soon as our ice time is finished, hockey has the rink until midnight. More importantly, the cost of ice is much less expensive daytime than during the evening.

The Skate Canada STAR (Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition) Skate Program includes tests in skating skills, free skate, dance and interpretive skating as well as separate qualifying tests for competitive skaters.

Skating Skills are exercises containing edges, turns, field movements skated on a pattern designed to teach fundamental movements to skaters of all levels. The Skating Skills Program consists of six levels in total, commencing with Preliminary and progressing in difficulty to Gold for advanced skaters. Each level includes three exercises and each exercise is skated to prescribed music.

Free Skating Tests consist of two parts:

Part 1: Elements in Isolation

Part 2: Program to Music

Compulsory Dances are dances which have prescribed steps, tempo and pattern and they are skated to the Skate Canada music. There are seven levels in total, commencing with Preliminary and progressing in difficulty to Diamond for advanced skaters. Each level includes 3 – 4 dances and each dance is skated to prescribed music.

Interpretive Skating focuses on the interpretation of the selected music through the use of creative movement, facial and body expression and skating skills reflective of the level of test. There are four levels of tests.

CompetitiveSkate Program has been established for competitive skaters. Skaters must pass these tests in order to be eligible to compete in qualifying events in Canada (Sectionals, Challenge Competitions, Junior Nationals and Canadians). The Juvenile, Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior Competitive Singles Tests consist of a Free Skating Program.

In each of the 4 disciplines of skating there are levels. The Alberta Section has designated Junior Silver level and above in Freeskate, Skills and Dance as high tests. Also included is Competitive and Interpretive.

As there are few evaluators that are qualified to judge the high levels the section has combined clubs into pods. Our pod includes; Wildrose Skating Club, Glencoe Skating Club, Skate West Skating Club and Lake Bonavista Skating Club. Wildrose is the first club assigned to hosting our pods Centralized High Test Day.

How is the cost of the test determined?

Test Fee Components:

• Skate Canada Test Fee ($10/dance, freeskate, skills, interpretive); ($20/competitive)
• Facilities/Ice Costs (ice rental fee)
• Officials Expenses (may be estimated); gift certificates, meals, travel
• Administration Expenses (postage)

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.

• A proper fitting helmet. This must be a CSA approved hockey helmet, preferably with a faceguard. No bike helmets permitted. THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT.
  ("It is a policy of Skate Canada that all CanSkate participants up to and including Stage 5 must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet while on the ice and anyone who lacks good control/balance when skating forward, backward and has difficulty stopping, as well as maneuvering around obstacles on the ice. These types of skaters are at a higher risk of being unable to control a fall, regardless of their age.")
  
• Warm mittens or gloves. THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT.
  
• Warm clothing, like a vest, which allows ease of movement. As the arena is not always as warm as it could be, please insure that your child has a few layers of warm tops and pants. Jeans are not permitted.
  
• Proper fitting skates. Hockey or figure skates are both allowed. If you are unsure of the fit or quality of your child’s skates, please ask your coach for help.

Click here to view the complete Skate Canada helmet policy.

These young adults are volunteers from our STARSkate and CompetitiveSkate programs. They have been trained and are Skate Canada Certified Program Assistants (PAs) who have a genuine interest in sharing their knowledge of figure skating as well as contributing their time to the community. If you see these skaters around the arena, please thank them for helping with the progress of your child!

Try sending your child with a relative, friend or neighbor. Sometimes the child's dependency is because he/she sees you. If you have to get him/her there, try staying out of view. Your child can then concentrate on the lesson, not you. Honest, it works!

The answer is no. The parent is not allowed on the ice unless they are registered with Skate Canada and have the permission of the CanSkate Coach. We have several Program Assistants to help with each session as well as the CanSkate Coaches.

Before or after a class is the best time. CJ generally stays in the lobby after each class for parents who have questions. Please feel free to approach her with your questions and or concerns!

Please, do not risk damages to your child's blades by getting them sharpened in a machine. You have made an investment for your child, pay the few extra dollars and have a professional who is trained to sharpen skates! Professional Skate Service is a trusted skate shop that comes with high recommendations. It is recommended to go to the Marda Loop location and have Lee Boutin service your skates. Visit their website for more information www.psscalgary.com. Again, if you have any questions concerning your child's skates, please ask CJ first!

No need to worry...Mr. Sketch markers will come out in the wash and are non-toxic!

When you sign up for a skating program at a Skate Canada member-club you automatically become a member of the national organization.

Membership costs $32.65.

There are many advantages that go with a Skate Canada membership such as accident insurance, access to Skate Canada programs and materials, the opportunity to participate in interclub and invitational competitions and special member prices on merchandise from the on-line store.

Tell me more about the requirements for the NCCP instruction beginner course.

• Bonafund is a family commitment of $40 per family member.
• It must be joined as a family (family of four = $160).
• It is income tax deductible (charitable donation).
• It is lifetime.
• It is available to all members of the Association (Resident and Non-Resident).
• It is non-refundable.
• It reduces fees, particularly ice fees. Hockey and skating fees are reduced by as much as $100 per registration. Therefore, if a family plans on participating in programs with the community for a number of years, the difference between Bonafund and Non-Bonafund program fees will pay for the Bonafund contribution.
• It is suggested that ice sports registrants consider Bonafund.

click here to go to the Skate Canada Alberta website.