PreCanskate & Canskate Program Information Packet

CanSkate

 Everyone at the Nicola Valley Skating Club welcomes you to another                                                                 wonderful skating season!

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 ribbons, 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. Our Professional Coach is assisted by trained Program Assistants. Skaters progress at their own rate and Coaches make the sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. CanSkate is the key program that leads to all other Skate Canada programs. (Jr. Academy, Jr. Star, STARskate, & CanPowerSkate)

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 with the Nicola Valley Skating 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

•      colouring sheets

•      parent information sheets

•      progress updates and report cards

•      special CanSkate events and club functions

•      opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity

PreCanskate Blue group skaters learn how to move, fall, & get up. A Fun time learning curcuits to get them moving and enjoying skating. After the PreCan program, and are moving, and skating they move onto Stage 2, Red Group.

*All CanSkaters, when your skater arrives at the rink & has their helmet and skates on, to go on please pick up your child’s name tag. At the end of each session your child will need to return their name tag to the coaches or program assistants on the ice, or return it back onto the nametag board for next time. This way they do not get lost or misplaced. Keeping costs for the program down, and being organized.

These are some of the awards and incentives that have been developed to encourage athletes in CanSkate:

The CanSkate program at the Nicola Valley Skating Club focuses on the development of 3 fundamental movements organized in 3 Stages. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Ribbons (Balance, Agility, & Control) Once the skills on each Ribbon are mastered, a badge is awarded.

The names of the STAGES are:
PreCanSkate/Stage1-blue group

Stage 2-red group

Stage 3-yellow group

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).

Equipment & Care

CanSkate program requires that all skaters wear a CSA Sport/hockey approved helmet, NO Bike Helmets are permitted.

•      Moisture must be wiped off the blade and boots after each session with a dry towel.

•      After skating, boots must be allowed to air dry, do NOT leave guards on while storing, and take them out of their bag or open the bag to properly dry out, as to not create rust on blades or create Mold in your boot.

•      Sharpen skates regularly. Generally, skate sharpening is something that each individual will have to do from time to time.  It will always depend on many circumstances as when to get them done.  If your child is unsure...then please ask your Coach, they will know if they need to be done, and can recommend a reliable Sharpener.

•      Proper Fitting Skates with ankle support are a MUST. Laces should NOT be wrapped around the ankle on figure skates, hockey skates you may. Keep lacing them up and down the skate until you are able to tie them for the last time, so there is no chance of tripping on them.

•      Dress in warm layers, that can be taken off if you get hot. More is better at this stage. Mittens or gloves are also a must. A snowsuit for younger skaters, or for the extremely cold months. Something that is easy to move in.

Ice Rules

•      There shall be no goofing around, be focused to practice during your limited time on the ice. Have respect for all Coaches, Program Assistants & other skaters. When a Coach speaks to you, respectfully do as you are told. No backtalk, or lack of listening will be tolerated. Our Coaching and ice time is precious, and if severe you will be asked to leave the ice.

•      You must have a parent come and take you off to go to the bathroom. Please let a Coach or PA know before you are allowed to leave the ice. This is for safety reasons.

•      Should there be a accident while on the ice, please let the Coaches attend to it first before a skater leaves the ice, or flag a Coach down before a skater is allowed to the leave the ice.  Coach Diana is First Aid trained to deal with the situation, first hand.

•      Please make sure that you go to the washroom before coming on the ice, even if it makes you late. Less likely chance of missing anything at the beginning of a session while the group is warming up on the Fast Track. Once the skaters are on the ice, they are not permitted to leave for safety reasons. Please shut all gates to the ice once all skaters are on the ice.

•      Strongly encourage parents to enjoy sitting in the warm Mezzanine, or in the stands. This also prevents skaters from constantly calling on the parents, because they are not rink side. Keeps them working hard, and more focused if the skaters realize this. NO parents at Ice Level, Penalty, or players bench during lesson time. There shall be absolutely NO Parental COACHING from the Stands, sidelines, or rink side. Discreet acknowledgment of acquisition of your skater’s skills as to not disturb others during the session time.

•      While the skaters are on the ice, they are in capable hands and are now the Coaches responsibility. Please keep a watchful eye in case your skater is needing to get off for the washroom etc. We can't let them off without a parent being there for them during the session. Purely for safety reasons, and Emergency situations.

Respect for other Skaters, Parents & all Coaches.

Most important of all is to have Fun, & enjoy a Love for Skating.

Moving up from CanSkate to Junior Academy:

•      Must have passed Stage 3 badge, or upon Coach referral.  Parents do NOT decide placement.

•      Must be prepared and have the skills to Learn how to Figure Skate.

Moving up from CanSkate/PrePower to CanPowerSkate or PrePower:

·         Must have passed Stage 2 (or working on) for CanPowerSkate or upon a Coach referral.

·         PrePower must be able to move and skate to take advantage of the PrePower Program.

Please Read & sign attached Parent Code of Ethics & Photo release form prior to your Skater stepping on the ice.