CanSkate
For skaters age 5+ who are comfortable on ice.
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CanSkate Program Information
WHO: Designed for beginners ages 5+ —including children, adults, and athletes with disabilities (AWAD)—CanSkate helps you improve basic skating skills for figure skating, hockey, ringette, or speed skating, while promoting fitness and fun.
WHAT: We work with a nationally tested curriculum that focuses on balance, control, and agility while empowering skaters to hone essential skills, in a safe and friendly environment. CANSKATE includes levels 1-6, with skates receiving ribbons and badges as they progress and are assessed by coaches.
HOW: Skaters progress at their own rate, during fun structured sessions that include music, on-ice teaching aids, and continuous movement.
WHEN: September-April (Exact dates vary; see Registration page for details).
WHO: Led by professional NCCP-certified coaches and trained Program Assistants.
WHAT'S NEXT: Skaters can progress through to STARSkate once they complete CanSkate level 6. Our coaching team will communicate advancement eligibility to skaters and their families as they move closer to this milestone.
WHAT TO WEAR: Skaters MUST wear a CSA-Approved hockey helmet that is not expired. Face masks are optional, though recommended for younger, brand-new skaters. Warm mittens, splash or snowpants, and warm layers are recommended. Please avoid scarves, loose or hanging clothes, or those made of a sherpa-like material (sticks to the ice).
SKATES: Hockey or figure skates (new or used). Please avoid plastic adjustable skates as they do not provide proper ankle support. When standing off-ice, ankles should not collapse in-or-outward; this will affect ability on-ice. Coaches may recommend upgrading skates as skills progress, to ensure proper support and safety.
For sizing; we recommend looking at skate brand-specific size charts online and measuring your child's feet; sizing up too much may affect their on-ice ability. Skate sizing may not match shoe size, and may need to be sized up or down.
CanSkate Level Progression
As skaters develop new skills in our three core areas of Agility, Balance, and Control, our coaches complete regular assessments during sessions. When skaters complete all three components of a level, we mark the occasion by presenting them with ribbons and a level badge.
You can find your skaters progression by logging into your Uplifter account and clicking "Evaluation" or "Assessment" tabs. These two spots will give you information about what your skater is working on. Assessments are completed at various times on regular ice times throughout the season so don't be alarmed if you do not see new information often. Our coaching team is regularly monitoring progress of skaters and moving them between development groups on the ice.
As skaters progress higher in CanSkate, levels will take longer to achieve. There is no timeline or expectations for how long a level will take; it is individual to each skater.
Skaters are encouraged to enjoy the process and grow their love of skating regardless of level.
