CANSkate (Ages 5–Adult)

Pickering CANSkate Program

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CanSkate Documents

IMPORTANT: Registration can only be processed with payment.

About the CanSkate Program

The Pickering Skating Club is happy to provide the Durham region with this learn-to-skate program designed for all ages including five years old up to adult. No previous skating experience is required.

You and/or your child will learn the same skating skills taught to CanSkate graduates Matt Duchene, NHL Nashville Predator and Olympic hockey team gold medalist, Jeff Skinner, NHL Buffalo Sabre, 2011 NHL Rookie of the Year,

and former Canadian juvenile men’s figure skating medalist, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Olympic and World ice dance champions, Patrick Chan, Olympic medalist and World men’s figure skating champion and Ivanie Blondin, Olympic and World long track speed skater.

Skating sessions are focused on having fun while teaching skaters basic skating skills and provide them with a foundation for hockey, figure skating, ringette, and other activities, including pleasure/leisure skating.

What is CanSkate?

CanSkate is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation, and basic skill development. Based on Sport Canada’s long-term athlete development (LTAD) principles, CanSkate centers on physical literacy and the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport or to skate as a recreational activity.

Who’s CanSkate for?

For beginners of all ages, children or adults, as well as for those wishing to improve their basic skills whether their focus is for figure skating, hockey, speed skating, or just skating for fun.

What will you learn in CanSkate?

The Pickering Skating Club provides a complete series of balance, control, and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating, and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. Pickering Skating Club CanSkate program uses nationally tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.

CanSkate Skills Chart

How old should a child be before starting skating lessons?

CanSkate is designed for children 5 years old and up. This is a great after-school program. The program is designed to develop a skater's coordination and physical fitness, through balance and movement exercises. For younger children, ages 3 to 5, Pickering Skating Club provides a CanSkate Preschool Program.

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Next Step: STARSkate Junior Program and/or Hockey Skating Skills

Do you provide anything for adults?

Yes, adult skating is growing in popularity and more and more clubs are offering recreational, test, and competitive opportunities to this segment of the population. Adults participate in CanSkate, STARSkate, and PowerSkate programs as well as on synchronized skating teams. Adult championships currently provide opportunities to adult skaters to experience the challenge of a competition in a fun, social environment. Skate Canada and Pickering Skating Club are currently expanding its programming in this area.

Who teaches CanSkate?

Pickering Skating Club provides Skate Canada certified NCCP-trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants.

What can you expect?

Action, movement, and fun! CanSkate lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:8. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music, and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons, and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.

What do you need to participate?

All you need are skates, a CSA-approved hockey helmet with a cage or visor, long pants, mittens, and a warm sweater or jacket. Dress in layers—with all that movement, it will get warm!