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STARSkate

 

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.

The purpose of this page is to provide information on the differences and transitions between the Okotoks Skating Club CanSkate program, Academy program and Junior program.

 

CanSkate  ->  Academy  -> Junior

Below is a summary of movement between programs at OSC.

Movement from CanSkate into Academy: The Head CanSkate Coach will identify skaters suited for the program who have completed stage 3.  The Head Academy Coach will then invite those skaters and parents to an in-person information session where you can learn more about the program and ask any questions you may have.  These invitations and information sessions generally occur at the end of each CanSkate session when report cards and assessments are being completed.  Consider the information session your “Figure Skating 101” where you will learn about the programs structure, prices, registration process, schedule as well as expectations for both skaters and parents.  

Movement from Academy into Junior:  Skaters may move to Junior when both the Head Academy Coach and Junior Head Coach feel they have progressed their skating skills to a ‘Junior’ standard.  (This is generally once they begin working on stage 6 of their CanSkate report card.)  Movement into the Junior level generally occurs when report cards and assessments are being completed.  The movement into Junior is based on coach discretion, the number of skaters on each session, as well as the skater’s interest to become more involved in the sport.

Program Summary

 

CanSkate Program Academy Program Junior Program

Instruction in groups with a 1:10 ratio of coaches to skaters (no private lesson time)

 

More in-depth instruction in groups of approximately 1:8 ratio of coaches to skaters.  Regular sessions include all coach costs. There are opportunities for private or smaller group instruction on the weekly Academy sessions on Thursday, these lessons are billed by OSC coaches monthly. 

 

Instruction in both groups of 2-5, private lesson time, and time for skater to be working on their skills independently from coaches. All lesson time is now billed directly to each skater from each coach monthly. 

 

Skate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday all 45minute sessions (or combination of those)

 

Sessions are held Sunday for 45 minutes, Monday for 45 minutes, Wednesday for 45 minutes and Friday for 45 minutes.  Each day is purchased separately, Sundays are a mandatory session.  Thursday sessions are for smaller group or individual instruction and coaches time will be billed monthly to your family. 

 

Sessions are held on Sunday for 1 hr 15 min, Monday 1 hr, Wednesday 45min, Thursday 45min, and Friday 1hr.  Each day is purchased separately, Sundays are mandatory sessions. All lesson time is now billed directly to each skater from each coach monthly. 

 

Receive group lessons from a Skate Canada professional coach’s and Program Assistants (high level skaters who have completed a training course before teaching the groups)

 

Receive group lesson from only Skate Canada Professional Coaches and have the opportunity to progress at a speed that is right for the skater by moving onto a new skill quicker or by taking their time on a skill they struggle with

 

Receive smaller group lessons as well as private lessons from Skate Canada Professional Coaches and have the opportunity to progress at a speed that is right for the skater based on what they need to work and improve on.

No dryland/off-ice

 

Dryland/off-ice classes available on Sundays. 

 

Dryland/off-ice classes available on Sundays. 

 

Is allowed to skate only on CanSkate sessions

 

May skate on both CanSkate sessions and Academy time at coaches discretion

 

May skate only on Junior ice sessions unless at coaches discretion.

 

All coach’s fees are included in the registration cost

 

All coach’s fees are included in the registration cost except Thursday session lessons.  Thursday lessons are billed monthly to each family by OSC coaches. 

 

Ice time and dryland/off-ice fees included in registration cost (all lesson time is now billed directly to each skater from each coach).

 

Skater’s learn basic skating skills

 

Skater’s will begin to learn sport specific skills pertaining to figure skating aiming to gain Figure Skating badges and begin to prepare for future STARSkate testing.

 

Skater’s will practice sport specific skills pertaining to figure skating aiming to gain Figure Skating badges and begin to prepare for future STARSkate testing.

 

Receive badges for passed levels within the CanSkate Program

 

Receive remaining badges for passed levels within the CanSkate Program as well as Figure Skating badges for achieved elements

 

Will continue to receive Figure Skating badges for achieved elements and will eventually begin to test and compete these practiced elements and programs in STARSkate testing and competitions.