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StarSkate - Figure Skating
Figure Skating in Canada -
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition!
The StarSkate Program
StarSkate is Skate Canada’s figure skating development program, designed to help skaters build their skills and progress through the different areas of figure skating.
Building on the skills learned through CanSkate, StarSkate introduces skaters to skills, freeskate, ice dance, and artistic skating.
Skaters work through a series of progressive levels, developing new skills, setting goals, and being recognized for their achievements along the way.
Skaters have the freedom to focus on the areas of the sport that inspire them most, whether that’s continuing to build their skills, exploring new disciplines, participating in competitions, or working toward higher levels and advanced achievements.
“For me, I just realized that it was possible to both work really hard and have a ton of fun doing it”
StarSkate at OSC
At OSC, StarSkate sessions are organized into Junior, Intermediate and Senior groups. Skaters are grouped based on a combination of factors, including age, Star level, skating development, speed and overall readiness.
Recommended Training
The following training amounts are recommended based on the Long Term Athlete Development Model developed by Skate Canada for steady progression:
- Junior: 2–3 on-ice sessions and 1–2 dryland sessions per week
- Intermediate: 3–5 on-ice sessions and 2–3 dryland sessions per week
- Senior: 4–6 on-ice sessions and 3+ dryland sessions per week
Coaches determine when a skater is ready to advance based on their overall development, skills and readiness. Skaters will be notified when they are ready to move forward. Passing an assessment does not automatically mean moving to the next level.
Learn More About Long-Term Development
Skate Canada LTD Framework Parent/Guardian Guide
Team Coaching
At OSC, we use a team-coaching approach. Rather than having one coach responsible for every aspect of a skater's training, our coaching team works together to provide instruction and support across the different areas of figure skating.
This means skaters may work with different coaches throughout their sessions, giving them access to different coaching styles, experience, and areas of expertise.
Our coaches are NCCP-certified, from regional to national level, with specializations across performance, choreography, ice dance, and fitness. Coaches communicate with one another about skater development and work together to support each skater's progress.
Sessions combine coach-led instruction with independent practice, allowing skaters to develop their skills across Skills, Freeskate, Ice Dance and Artistic while working toward their individual goals.
The StarSkate Pathway
StarSkate is divided into a series of levels from Star 1 through Gold. As skaters progress, they build on the skills they have already learned and work toward more advanced skills across the different disciplines.
At each Star level, skaters are assessed on the skills required for each discipline:
- Star 1 – 5 is assessed by a coach
- Star 6 – Gold Skills and Artistic can be assessed by a qualified coach or evaluator
- Star 6 – Gold Freeskate and Dance are assessed by an evaluator
Click to view the full breakdown of skills for each Star level and discipline in the charts provided.
Off-Ice Training
Off-ice training is a key part of a skater's development. Skaters are encouraged to take part in weekly dryland sessions that include:
- Off-ice spinning harness work
- Dance enrichment
- Jump technique training
- Cardio and fitness conditioning
- Stretching and dynamic warm-ups used on competition and test day
Skaters also practice off-ice jumps and spins to build stronger positions and confidence on the ice. Running shoes and a yoga mat are required.
Star 1–5
Star 6–Gold
Where StarSkate Can Lead
Skate Canada offers two development streams for figure skaters: StarSkate and Podium Pathway
Both provide opportunities for skaters to develop their skills and participate in competition, with different levels of training and competition.
StarSkate Pathway
StarSkate is the recreational and developmental stream, but recreational doesn’t mean non-competitive!
Skaters progress through Star 1–Gold, completing assessments and participating in local StarSkate competitions.
Many skaters stay in StarSkate long-term, while others use it as a stepping stone to more advanced training.
Skaters can also add Synchronized Skating, a team-based discipline built on StarSkate foundations.
Podium Pathway
Skaters who wish to challenge their figure skating skills or show potential as competitive skaters can transition from StarSkate into Podium Pathway.
This high-performance pathway supports skaters who want to pursue competition at a higher level, with opportunities to compete at provincial, sectional, national and international levels.
There is no single path through figure skating. Skaters can choose the direction that best fits their goals and interests.
The Disciplines of Figure Skating
FreeSkate
Freeskate is the discipline most people picture when they think of figure skating. It focuses on jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, performed both as individual elements and as part of a program to music.
- Jumps (from waltz jump through axels and beyond)
- Spins in multiple positions
- Footwork and field movements
- Choreographed solo programs at Star 2+
Tested at: Star 1 through Gold.
Skills
Skills is the term for the fundamental skating movements that form the foundation of all figure skating.
Skaters work through a variety of edges, turns, steps, patterns and field movements while developing the balance, power, control and flow needed to move confidently and efficiently across the ice.
These skills are used throughout every area of figure skating and provide the foundation for more advanced elements and disciplines.
- Edges, turns, and change of direction
- Power and flow across the ice
- Step sequences and field moves
Tested at: Star 1 through Gold.
Ice Dance
Ice Dance focuses on pattern dances and rhythm-based skating, performed individually or with a partner.
Skaters develop precise edgework, musical timing and control, while also focusing on expression, character and rhythm to reflect the style of each dance.
- Standardized pattern dances (set steps to specific music)
- Rhythm, timing, and partnering skills
- Skating technique, accuracy, and musicality
Tested at: Star 1 through Gold.
Artistic
Artistic focuses on musical interpretation, creativity and performance quality.
Skaters combine skating skills such as edges, turns and field movements with creative movement and spins, while developing their ability to express emotion and artistry.
- Choreographic step sequences and field move sequences
- Artistic spins
- Musicality and performance quality
- Music selected by the skater and/or coach
Tested at: Star 5, Star 7, Star 9 and Gold.
SynchroSkate
Synchronized skating is a team discipline where skaters work together to perform formations, transitions and skating elements in unison.
Skaters develop teamwork, timing, precision and edgework while learning to move as one with the group.
- Team formations and transitions
- Unison edgework and timing
- A path skaters can add on to their StarSkate training
Who it's for: Skaters who have developed a strong foundation in StarSkate and want to add a team-based skating experience alongside their individual training.
Explore More About StarSkate
Working toward StarSkate at OSC? Learn more about our skating pathway, from CanSkate through Pre-Junior and into StarSkate.
Coming from another skating club? Skaters from other clubs are welcome to skate with OSC, subject to session availability and approval.
Please contact our Registrar to discuss your options and find the right sessions for your skater.
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