Program Descriptions

Special Needs

The Collingwood Skating Club is very proud to be a registered club of Special Olympics Ontario. Skaters with an intellectual disability are integrated into the appropriate Skate Canada program. Competition opportunities are available through Skate Canada & Special Olympics at the Regional, Provincial, National & World levels.

Beginner CanSkate

The CanPowerskate and CanSkate programs emphasis fun, participation, challenge and achievement. Helmets are required for both programs. Geared towards ages 3 – 6, girls and boys. Stage 1: At this level, skaters learn how to stand up, fall down, get up, move forward and change direction. Our professional staff and Program Assistants make it fun!

CanSkate

Stages 2 - 5: This level of the program combines fun with the basics of skating: forward, backward, stopping, using edges (gliding), while building power and speed. This program prepares the skater to move on to the next levels of skating which may include figure skating (StarSkate), hockey, ringette, synchronized, canpower, etc. Program Assistants aid the coaches while providing fun and inspiration.

Star-CanSkate

This program is designed for the young aspiring figure skater. Skaters invited into this program will continue to skate during the CanSkate session while being slowly introduced to the Starskate program on the Intermediate session 1 night a week. Skaters will be given group lessons in the following disciplines: skills, ice dancing, free-skate, interpretive, & synchronized skating. Private lessons are highly recommended. Skaters must be working on the Stage 4 or 5 badge.

Starskate Intermediate

Stages 6 & 7: Skate Canada Test Stream: Skaters work on Freeskate, Dance, Skills and Stroking at specific times with the club coach(s). This program is ideal as it allows the skater to utilize club coaching as well as having the option to arrange additional private lessons with a freelance coach.

Starskate Senior

This program offers Skate Canada test stream up to diamond level dances. This year we have re-vamped the programming and are able to

offer club coaching on Wednesdays as part of the 3 Day Option. Private coaching must be arranged between the skater/parent and the freelance coaches of your choice. See professional staff section.

CanPOWERSkate

The CanPOWERskate Program is more comprehensive than ever, with additional levels. Skaters will develop better balance, power, agility, speed and endurance as they learn and improve upon the following skating fundamentals:

Forward balance skills (on flats)
Hockey side stops (both sides)
Forward skating & backward skating
Backward balance skills (on flats and edges)
Backward stop (two feet)
Fast forward start (V start & from back snowplow stop)
Fast forward start (from side stop, cross-over start)
Tight glide turn
Forward & Backward crossovers
Fast backward start(from side stop)
Backward to forward turns (clockwise and counterclockwise)
Lateral movement forward & backwards
Reverse turns
Combination of skills from Level 1 to 5 incorporating use of the puck or ring
Skaters who master these skating techniques are better able to concentrate on stick handling, positioning and specific game skills.

PROGRAM FORMAT

The CanPOWERskate program was revamped and is now more comprehensive than ever, with additional levels for skaters already in the program who wish to continue their power skating development and with the addition of Pre- Power for younger skaters just starting out.

Classes are usually a rigorous 50 to 60 minutes and include:

a stationary warm up
a slow moving warm up
a skill review
new skill instruction and practice
conditioning and power skating drills
a cool down period

The amount of time a skater takes to complete the entire program(all seven levels) may depend upon age and ability.The number of hours spent on ice in CanPOWERskate and in game situations where skills are reinforced also contributes greatly to their progress.

Adult Skate

Adult skating is growing in popularity and more and more clubs are offering recreational, test and competitive opportunities to this segment of the population. Adults participate in CanSkate, STARSkate and CanPowerSkate programs as well as on synchronized skating teams. Adult championships currently provide opportunities to adult skaters to experience the challenge of a competition in a fun, social environment. Skate Canada is currently expanding its programming in this area.