LEARN TO SKATE

We offer CanSkate for school aged participants and Pre-CanSkate for pre-schoolers. During lessons, children are assisted on ice by trained Program Assistants (PA’s). Parents are not allowed on the ice during these lessons unless they have received PA training have been registered with Skate Canada as an on-ice assistant. All children age 11 and ​under must have a parent or designated adult supervisor present in the building during lessons.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CANSKATE 

Is your child ready for skating lessons?

There is no minimum age requirement and each child is different. The Hazelridge Skating Club offers a one-week trial period to help you decide if your child is ready for the Pre-CanSkate/CanSkate program.

Readiness Criteria: Children should be able to:

• Understand simple instructions and follow directions from a person other than a parent; 
• “Separate” from a parent and remain on the ice for the duration of the skating session;
• Walk on the floor with reasonably straight ankles while wearing skates that fit properly​.

CANSkate 

CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners ages 5 & up.  The fundamentals of skating are taught to prepare skaters for various sports including: SkateCanada’s StarSkate program, Synchro Skating, Power Skating, Hockey, Ringette or for a lifetime of recreational skating. Younger skaters who have already completed the Pre-CanSkate program are welcome to progress to CanSkate when they have acheived all of the Pre-CanSkate skills and have matured enough to participate for the duration of the longer CanSkate lesson.

We offer two 60 minute sessions per week for 20 weeks.  We recommend that skaters register for and attend two days per week, ​but recognize that not all families are able to commit to both days. Parents should be aware that the skater's progression will be slower if they only attend one day per week, as the skater will have less time to work on new skills and techniques.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional seventh level for skaters who want to move into figure skating.  The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to more complex.  Each stage has a primary focus.  Once the skills of one stage are mastered, a badge is awarded.  Fundamental, movement badges and fitness badges are available.

OBJECTIVES

• To provide basic skating instruction in a group situation
• To introduce skaters to the fundamental movement of skating in a safe, fun environment
• To develop balance, coordination and rhythm through the use of music
• To enable skaters to move through the Skate Canada system smoothly
• To encourage and identify “talented skaters”
• To promote physical fitness and encourage lifelong participation in skating
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Pre-CANSkate

Pre-CanSkate is a learn-to-skate program for pre-schoolers (age 2-5) in which the CanSkate lesson format has been scaled down to better suit the needs of younger skaters.

We offer two 30 minute sessions per week for 20 weeks.  We recommend that skaters register for and attend two days per week, but recognize that not all families are able to commit to both days. Parents should be aware that the skater's progression will be slower if they only attend one day per week, as the skater will have less time to work on new skills and techniques.