The Coaches Room

Janurary 13, 2016
We are very excited how much the kids are enjoying skating with us, with so many things to learn. Whether its learning & building key fundamental elements, and how to skate in the CANskate program, or learning the first stages of how to Figure skate in the Jr. Academy & STARskate programs. We are also teaching them, etiquette, manners, regimes, skating vocabulary, stretching and progressions.
In March we would Love to share with all of you, as well as the community what we have achieved this season by holding a Ice Show. The dates are still being narrowed down on Ice availability. This will showcase all the skaters of all levels that we Coach. From PreCAN right all the way up to our Starskaters. The show will be called "Wicked Picks of the 80's. Music has already been chosen from the 80's obviously.  Solos, duets & group numbers are starting to get rehearsed in the Jr. Academy & STARskate groups. This show will be bigger & better than last year's, and hopefully next year we can hold a large Carnival show as our Club grows. Parent Volunteers play a huge role, in making a show successful not just what we see on the ice but also from behind the scenes as well. So our Shows & Carnivals can only be as big and successful as our help making it all happen. So if you would like to be apart of the Show committee and offer your help in any way necessary please contact the Club's email.

Every couple of weeks we will start sharing tips, video clips, and new skills in different groups, and any information. You can share them with your skaters, and you also learn what they are learning, skating vocabulary, and other information that we think is important from a Coach's perspective.  If you have any questions or concerns you can contact either one of us through skatinginthevalley49@gmail.com

This week being a New Session with lots of New Skaters, and New Parents we have the following information, and reminder to Pass along:

PreCAN & CANskate
We are trying to encourage the skaters to stay on the ice for their entire session, No sitting in the benches at rink side, listen to Coaches. All gates must be shut, and the Gateway clear and free of Parents. For safety reasons Skate Canada rules that: NO skaters can leave the ice during our CANskate sessions unless absolutely necessary. A parent must be there to take them off, only after they have asked a Coach or Program Assistant's permission, and someone knows where they are going. If a fire broke out, or other emergency we need every student in attendance that day accounted for. While the Skaters are on the Ice they are our responsibility, and Coach Diana is First Aid trained to deal with any accidents first. No one is allowed on the ice without skates. We know it sounds like a lot of No's but if something were ever to happen, it would all make sense then. It also helps young skaters understand that they are there to skate, and learn during that small 30 min. or 45 minute session, whether its once or twice a week.

Jr. Academy & STARskate
In the Jr. Academy & STARskate programs it is very much the exact same rules. If you need to get off for the washroom, you must tell a Coach, and they will decide whether it is an appropriate time. (Not during a lesson) We ask that you keep breaks to a minimum, and there is a NO fooling around, get to work, and practice during our small ice times. Don't bug your poor Mom to keep coming to you, we have provided a Practice Poster Checklist to keep skaters on track, when practicing on their own. No asking to get off for water every 5 min. Bring a water bottle if necessary, and bathroom breaks should be before you step on the ice, even if it makes you slightly late. You may just miss a bit of the warm up, and not your important lessons. We also ask that during this session parents stay clear of the gateway area, and No coaching from the sidelines.

We have spoken to all Skaters in all the groups about their understanding in these procedures, and what we expect from them, but it helps even more, if Parents are aware of it and help them to understand it all. Above all we are enjoying Coaching them, and seeing the smiles on their faces, sharing laughs, connecting with us, and fellow skaters. We are building some great skating memories, and life skills for them that they will remember & carry through their whole life. Along with New and most likely long friendships with their "skating buddies."

Diana