Delta Skating Club Programs
Delta Skating Club offers a number of programs that are Skate Canada approved. Our group of coaches creative both a creative and constructive environment for our membership.
A new improved Canskate program has been designed based on Sport Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles. The new program includes specific skills that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating. The result is a dynamic new program that prepares all skaters for virtually every ice sport.
Skate Canada CanSkate Program
CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. When you sign up for CanSkate you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. Coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. Skaters earn badges and other incentives and progress at their own rate. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada Skating Programs.
(Information courtesy of Skate Canada – www.skatecanada.ca)
PRE-CANSKATE PROGRAM: Ages 3 and older
Our Pre-Canskate program is for children that have never skated before or who are not confident on the ice. The lessons are 30 to 45 minutes in duration with a “Skate Canada Certified Professional Coach” with the goal of having a ratio of 3-4 skaters to 1 Coach or Skate Canada Trained Program Assistants. Our young skaters learn in an energetic fun environment to music and skating aids, with the goal of having fun, while learning how to become comfortable on the ice and taking those first strides. Pre-Canskaters work on essentials needed to move safely and effectively on the ice. There are eight basic skills designed to ready them for the Canskate program: Balance on 2 feet, Fall down and get up, Move forward, Move Backward, March around the spot, Make snow, Jump on the spot, 2-foot twist on the spot. As soon as skaters are ready they will be moved to the main stream Canskate program.
CANSKATE
Canskate introduces young skaters to the fundamentals of skating; Balance, Control and Agility, organized in 6 stages. The lessons are taught in a fun, energetic atmosphere promoting continuous movement to music, with lots of rewards and incentives with our “Skate Canada Certified Professional Coaches” (ratio 10:1) with assistance by our trained Program Assistants. Lessons are 45 minutes in duration. It is recommended that Skaters register for 2 lessons per week for continual development throughout the year.
Equipment:
All Canskate participants up to and including Stage 5 must wear a CSA Hockey Helmet . Skate Rentals are available for all our CanSkate sessions at no charge.
What’s after Canskate?
Skaters can stay in Canskate to continue to refine their skills or choose one of our other programs for figure skaters, hockey or ringette players. Canskaters may be invited to join our Learn to Figure Skate Program which is for those skaters that would like to develop as figure skaters and work towards the Skate Canada STARSkate program or our Powerskating Program for hockey and ringette players.
The Delta Skating Club Rising Stars Academy ( Learn to Figure Skate program) is for skaters that have passed CanSkate Stage 3 and up to STAR 1 with an interest in figure skating.
Rising Stars is the next stage for skaters to bridge the gap between CanSkate group lessons and the StarSkate Program. The program will allow a more in-depth experience where skaters will work on the completion of CanSkate stages and will be introduced to STAR 1. During the program they will learn all that is needed for the beginner foundations of figure skating. When they complete the program they will be ready for STAR 2 and join our Junior program where they will be introduced to competitions.
Skaters are to skate twice/week which promotes quick progress. Session includes all ice and coaching fees.
The program will also introduce skaters to Off Ice training.
It is important that skaters wear proper skating attire.
StarSkate Program
Star program offers opportunities for skaters who have passed Canskate Stage 6 to further develop figure skating skills. The program involves freeskate, group enrichment and dance/skills sessions and dryland training, to complement their on-ice development. Skaters are recommended to skate 2 or 3 times/week. Freeskate involves private or semi-private lessons with a coach of the skaters choice. Delta Skating Club has divided the Star program into two levels: Junior Star 1-2 and Senior Star 3+.
Program Options
There are many options that a skater can take that should be discussed with their coach. One can take Skate Canada Tests to develop their skills in conjunction with entering Starskate competitions or the athlete can choose to move into the Skate Canada Competitive Skate program.
How to decide between private, semi-private or small group (max 3) lessons?
While some feel that private lessons offer the most opportunity for direct 1 on 1 learning and the possibility of quicker advancement, your child’s learning style should be taken into consideration. Some skaters are able to focus and learn more effectively in a private lesson format while others may find it intimidating. Please discuss with the coach what style of learning would be best for your child.
How long are private, semi-private or small group lessons?
A minimum of 15 minutes. Depending on your coach’s availability there may be opportunity for 20 or 30 minute lessons. Please discuss with your coach.
How are the semi-private or small groups determined?
If you decide to do semi-private or small group lessons please understand that it’s up to the coach’s discretion as to which skaters to pair or group together based on how many other skaters they have during the session and the skill level of those skaters.
How is my child assessed in Starskate program?
Your child’s coach will be responsible for assessing when ready and will assess to a nation-wide Skate Canada standard. Star 1 includes 3 assessments while Star 2 includes 5. As your skater masters the skills at each level they will be assessed by their coach on a regular session. There are 23 assessments in the Star 1-5 programs. All assessments have a Skate Canada fee of $12 which must be paid prior to the assessment.
(Refer to Skate Canada for further information – www.skatecanada.ca)
Off Ice classes are part of the Rising STARS Academy program and Junior and Senior STAR programs.
Off-ice classes are taught by our club coaches and dance teachers and focuses on developing well-rounded skaters.
Rising STARS Academy and Junior Off Ice Program – The goal of off-ice is to introduce skaters to the technique of performing rotating jumps focusing on the basics like quarter, half, and full rotation jumps. Attention to detail is crucial at this stage since later classes work towards increasing rotations. The basics of strength and conditioning and flexibility are also included which helps increase flexibility for spiral and spins. Off ice program also includes dance classes for figure skating with our dance instructor.
Senior Off-Ice Program – The goal of off-ice is to improve on already learned techniques of rotating jumps such as double and potentially, triple rotations. Working on jump elements such as axels are also included in order to better technique and improve on aspects such as height and faster rotation. Flexibility includes not only the ability to perform a beautiful spiral, but also to have the strength and balance to maintain a beautiful spiral and achieve incredible spins.
Dance Classes will focus on timing, rhythm and the movements to different music as this is a key component to figure skating.
All Skaters participating in Off-ice classes are required to:
- Have all loose hair tied up (ponytail, pig-tails, etc)
- Wear appropriate shoes such as runners (ie. no street shoes, flats, boots, etc)
- Bring a water bottle (no sugary drinks unless for dietary needs)
- Bring a skipping rope
- Bring a yoga mat
Powerskate is an action packed, high energy instructional program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasized how the skills apply to game situations. This is NOT a Learn to Skate program as Skaters should know how to skate forward (able to skate the length of the rink using alternate strides), backwards and stop on command without use of the boards. Children needing to learn to skate should register in our CANSKATE learn to skate program.
CSA approved Hockey Helmet & full face shield, hockey gloves & neck guard required for Pre Power and Full Hockey/Ringette equipment is required for the Entry, Intermediate and Advance Powerskating Program.
Please register for the appropriate session ability.
For more information on this program please contact our Club Administrator at (604) 940-6749. Skate rentals are NOT available during Powerskate.
PreCanPower (Not offered at this time)
Option for skaters who are not ready for CanPowerSkate session. PreCanPower is a “learn to skate” program that will enable skaters to pursue the ice sport of their choice. Allowing skaters to wear the equipment required for their sport and prepare them in their development. No Hockey Sticks.
Entry CanPowerSkate – Not a learn to skate program
Based on Ability; skaters must be able to skate forward the length of the rink, attempt backwards skating, & stop in one direction
U6- U9 (Initiation 1-4)
Intermediate CanPowerSkate – Not a learn to skate program
Based on Ability; skaters must have strong forward and backward skating skills. Be able to stop in both directions.
U9 – U11 (Ages 8, 9 & 10)
Advanced CanPowerSkate – Not a learn to skate program
Based on Ability; skaters must have strong forward and backward skating skills and crossovers. Strong back stops and concept of turns.
U11, U13, U15 (Ages 9 – 14 years)
Synchronized skating, or “synchro” is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of 8 or more performing various groups formations and maneuvers. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, lines, blocks, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow. Synchronized skating has grown in popularity around the word as it provides a great place for skaters to become part of a team and skate for life.
We are fortunate at Delta Skating Club to have several synchro coaches which has allowed us to have two medal winning teams – Solar Flare and Solar Ice.
The level of the team varies from year to year depending on the number, age, and skill level of skaters.
Each team completes and performs in several events each season including the Winter Gala, Mountains, WestCoast Challenge, Ice Hawks game intermissions, and of course the Delta Skating Club Year End Ice Show.
Expectations and Requirements for Synchro Team members are:
- Commitment to attend all practices and competitions
- Each skater much have team spirit, work hard, and support and respect all team members.
- Skaters are required to skate 2-3 days of the week to further develop or maintain their skating skills.
- There may be additional costs to pay for competition fees, competition coaching fees, and team costume.
