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.

Skating Programs

Expore our skating programs and register for the session that’s right for you.

Program Details

PreCanSkate & CanSkate

Delta Skating Club’s PreCanSkate and CanSkate programs introduce skaters to the fundamentals of skating in a fun, active and supportive environment. From becoming comfortable on the ice to developing balance, control and agility, skaters progress at their own pace while building skills that can lead to recreational skating, figure skating, hockey, ringette and other ice sports.

PreCanSkate is designed for children ages 3 and older who have never skated before or are not yet confident on the ice.

Lessons are approximately 30–45 minutes and are led by Skate Canada certified professional coaches with assistance from trained Program Assistants. The goal is a small-group environment where young skaters can become comfortable on the ice while learning through music, skating aids and fun activities.

The program focuses on eight introductory skills:

  • Balance on two feet
  • Fall down and get up
  • Move forward
  • Move backward
  • March around the spot
  • Make snow
  • Jump on the spot
  • Two-foot twist on the spot

Once skaters are ready, they move into the main CanSkate program.

CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program. It develops the three fundamental areas of:

Balance · Control · Agility

Skills are organized through six stages. Lessons are approximately 45 minutes and use continuous movement, music, activities, rewards and incentives to create an energetic learning environment. Skaters progress at their own pace.

CanSkate develops fundamental skating skills that can be used in:

  • Recreational skating
  • Figure skating
  • Hockey
  • Ringette
  • Speed skating

Delta currently recommends skating twice per week where possible to support continued development.

All PreCanSkate and CanSkate participants through Stage 5 must wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet.

Participants must also wear gloves/mitts or hockey gloves.

The club currently provides skate and helmet rentals for PreCanSkate and CanSkate sessions at no charge.

Skaters may continue in CanSkate to refine their skills or move toward another skating pathway.

Those interested in figure skating may be invited into Rising Star Academy, while hockey and ringette skaters may progress toward PowerSkate.

Rising Star Academy / STAR 1

Your First Step Into Figure Skating

Rising Star Academy bridges the gap between CanSkate group lessons and STARSkate. It is designed for skaters interested in figure skating who are ready to develop stronger technical foundations and begin progressing through the Skate Canada STAR pathway.

Rising STARS is intended for skaters who have passed CanSkate Stage 3 through approximately STAR 1.

Skaters continue completing their CanSkate stages while being introduced to beginner figure-skating foundations and STAR 1 skills.

The program provides a more in-depth introduction to figure skating and begins preparing skaters for:

  • Figure-skating fundamentals
  • STAR 1 development
  • More structured training
  • Future assessments
  • Future competitive opportunities

Upon completing the program, skaters should be prepared to progress toward STAR 2 and the club’s Junior program.

Skaters are expected to skate twice per week, which the club recommends to promote faster skill development.

The program currently includes both ice time and coaching fees.

Rising Star also introduces skaters to off-ice training.

At this level, off-ice work begins developing:

  • Basic rotating jump technique
  • Quarter, half and full rotations
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Flexibility
  • Dance and movement for figure skating

After developing through Rising Star and STAR 1, skaters can progress into the STARSkate program, where training becomes more individualized and may include assessments and competition.

STARSkate

Develop Skills. Set Goals. Achieve More.

STARSkate provides skaters with opportunities to continue developing their figure-skating skills through freeskate, dance, skating skills, enrichment and off-ice training. Skaters can pursue assessments, competitions and increasingly advanced skating goals with guidance from their coaches.

The current program is designed for skaters who have progressed beyond CanSkate and are ready for more advanced figure-skating development.

Delta currently divides STARSkate into:

  • Junior — STAR 1–2
  • Senior — STAR 3+

Skaters are generally encouraged to train three or more times per week.

What Skaters Learn

Training may include:

  • Freeskate
  • Dance
  • Skating skills
  • Group enrichment
  • Dryland/off-ice training
  • Assessments
  • Competition preparation

Freeskate instruction may be offered as:

  • Private lessons
  • Semi-private lessons
  • Small group lessons

Private instruction provides one-on-one coaching, but the club recommends considering each skater’s learning style when choosing the best format.

Lessons have a current minimum of approximately 15 minutes.

Depending on coach availability, 20- or 30-minute lessons may also be available.

Pairings and small groups are determined by the coach based on:

  • Skill level
  • Other skaters registered on the session
  • Coaching availability

This helps keep skaters grouped appropriately for instruction.

Coaches assess skaters when they are ready using Skate Canada standards.

  • STAR 1-5 assessments are coach assessed and include Skills, Freeskate, Artistic and Dance.
  • STAR 6-Gold assessments for Skills and Artistic may be coach assessed or Evaluator assessed.
  • STAR 6-Gold assessments for Freeskate and Dance are Evaluator assessed.

Assessment fees are paid separately.

STARSkate skaters may choose to participate in STARSkate competitions while progressing through Skate Canada assessments.

Skaters interested in higher-level competitive development can discuss appropriate pathways with their coach.

Podium Pathway Training

Advanced Training for Competitive Goals

Podium Pathway Training is Delta Skating Club’s new advanced-development program for skaters pursuing higher-performance training and competitive goals.

 

Podium Pathway Training is Delta Skating Club’s advanced athlete-development stream for skaters pursuing higher-performance goals in figure skating.

The program reflects Skate Canada’s modern athlete-development approach, which replaces older “competitive” labels with a pathway designed to support skaters as they progress from developmental levels toward regional, provincial, national and potentially international competition.

Training is intended to build the technical, physical and performance foundations required for continued advancement while helping skaters understand the commitment involved in pursuing higher levels of the sport.

 

Podium Pathway Training is intended for skaters who demonstrate the skill level, commitment and training readiness required for advanced competitive development.

Eligibility may consider factors such as:

  • Current skating level and technical ability
  • Competition experience
  • Training consistency
  • Coach recommendation
  • Athlete goals and long-term potential
  • Ability to meet the expectations of a more intensive training environment

Skate Canada’s Podium Pathway includes competitive categories progressing through levels such as Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior.

Participation in Delta Skating Club’s Podium Pathway program may be subject to coach assessment or invitation.

 

Podium Pathway athletes work toward the advanced technical, physical and performance skills needed for higher levels of competitive figure skating.

Training may include development in:

  • Jumps and jump combinations
  • Spins and spin variations
  • Skating skills and edge quality
  • Speed, power and flow
  • Program components and performance
  • Choreography and musical interpretation
  • Competition preparation
  • Strength, flexibility and conditioning
  • Mental preparation and goal setting

The emphasis is on developing well-rounded athletes rather than focusing only on individual technical elements.

Athletes following the Podium Pathway should expect a greater level of commitment than recreational or introductory figure-skating programs.

Higher-performance skaters typically train multiple days each week, with training frequency increasing as athletes progress through competitive levels.

Expectations may include:

  • Consistent attendance
  • Regular on-ice training
  • Private coaching
  • Off-ice conditioning
  • Independent practice
  • Competition preparation
  • Participation in assessments and development opportunities
  • Goal setting with the coaching team

Training plans may vary according to the skater’s age, level, competition schedule and individual development needs.

Podium Pathway training takes a long-term approach to athlete development.

Coaches work with skaters to develop technical ability while also supporting the physical, mental and performance skills needed for continued progression in competitive skating.

Depending on the athlete’s level and needs, development may include:

  • Individual technical coaching
  • Choreography and program development
  • Off-ice strength and conditioning
  • Flexibility and movement training
  • Performance development
  • Competition planning
  • Goal setting and progress review

At higher levels of the Podium Pathway, athletes may also benefit from specialized support such as sport science, fitness, nutrition, mental performance and other athlete-development services where available.

The Podium Pathway is designed to provide a structured route for skaters who wish to progress through increasingly advanced levels of competitive figure skating.

Athletes may progress through categories including:

Pre-Juvenile → Juvenile → Pre-Novice → Novice → Junior → Senior

Competition opportunities may include regional and sectional events, with qualifying athletes progressing toward provincial and national competition.

Advancement is based on a combination of technical development, competition readiness, performance standards and the athlete’s individual goals.

Not every skater will follow the same timeline, and progression will be guided by the athlete’s coaching team.

Skaters interested in Podium Pathway Training should speak with their current coach or contact Delta Skating Club to discuss whether the program is appropriate for their goals and stage of development.

Entry may involve:

  • Coach recommendation
  • Review of current skating level
  • Assessment of technical readiness
  • Discussion of competitive goals
  • Review of training expectations and commitment

Because Podium Pathway is intended for advanced athlete development, placement may be by assessment or invitation rather than open registration.

Interested in learning more?
Contact Delta Skating Club or speak with your coach about the next step in your competitive skating development.

PowerSkate

Build Power for the Game

PowerSkate is a high-energy instructional program designed for hockey and ringette players. Training focuses on skating ability rather than stick or puck skills, helping athletes develop the balance, power, agility, speed and endurance needed in game situations.

Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught progressively with an emphasis on how skating skills transfer to hockey and ringette.

PowerSkate is not a learn-to-skate program.

Participants should already be able to skate forward and backward and stop without using the boards. Skaters who still need fundamental instruction should begin in CanSkate.

Training focuses on:

  • Balance
  • Power
  • Agility
  • Speed
  • Endurance
  • Forward and backward skating
  • Stops
  • Edge control
  • Turns and crossovers as ability increases

PrePower

It allows developing skaters to become accustomed to skating in their sport equipment before progressing further. Hockey sticks are not used.

Entry Level

Skaters should be able to:

  • Skate forward the length of the rink
  • Attempt backward skating
  • Stop in one direction

Levels approximately with U6–U9.

Intermediate

Skaters should have:

  • Strong forward skating
  • Strong backward skating
  • Ability to stop in both directions

Levels approximately with U9–U11.

Advanced

Advanced participants should demonstrate:

  • Strong forward and backward skating
  • Crossovers
  • Strong backward stops
  • Understanding of turns

Levels approximately with U11, U13 and U15.

For PrePower, the current requirement includes:

  • CSA-approved hockey helmet
  • Full face shield
  • Hockey gloves
  • Neck guard

Entry, Intermediate and Advanced PowerSkate require full hockey or ringette equipment.

Skate rentals are not available for PowerSkate.

Synchronized Skating

Skate Together. Perform Together.

Synchronized skating combines individual skating skills with teamwork, music and performance. Teams of eight or more skaters perform formations and maneuvers together, developing timing, edges, power, flow and the ability to skate as one unit.

Synchro involves teams performing formations including:

  • Circles
  • Lines
  • Blocks
  • Wheels
  • Intersections

The objective is to execute these elements together in unison with the music.

Delta has multiple synchronized skating teams, including Solar Flare and Solar Ice.

Team levels may change from year to year depending on:

  • Number of skaters
  • Ages
  • Skill levels

Synchro develops:

  • Team skating
  • Formations and transitions
  • Edge quality
  • Power and flow
  • Musical timing
  • Spatial awareness
  • Teamwork
  • Performance skills

Team members are expected to:

  • Attend practices and competitions
  • Work hard and support their teammates
  • Demonstrate team spirit and respect
  • Continue regular skating development

Team members should skate approximately two to three days each week to develop or maintain their individual skills.

Teams participate in multiple performances and competitions during the season.

Examples such as the Winter Gala, Mountain Regionals, West Coast Challenge, hockey-game intermissions and the Delta Skating Club Ice Show.

Families should be aware that synchronized skating may involve costs beyond regular registration, including:

  • Competition entry fees
  • Competition coaching fees
  • Team costumes

Off-Ice Training

Training Beyond the Ice

Off-ice training complements on-ice development by helping skaters improve jump technique, strength, conditioning, flexibility, balance, rhythm and movement.

Training introduces:

  • Quarter, half and full rotation jumps
  • Basic jump technique
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Flexibility for spirals and spins
  • Dance for figure skating

Senior off-ice training builds on established technique and may include:

  • Double and potentially triple rotations
  • Axels
  • Jump height and rotation speed
  • Advanced flexibility
  • Strength and balance for spirals and spins

Dance classes focus on:

  • Timing
  • Rhythm
  • Movement
  • Interpretation of different styles of music

Your Content Goes Here

Current requirements are:

  • Hair tied back
  • Appropriate athletic shoes/runners
  • Water bottle
  • Skipping rope
  • Yoga mat

Ready to Get on the Ice?

View current sessions and register online.