WELCOME TO CANSKATE!

Skating sessions for Canskate for the 2022/23 season will be held Tuesday, 6:10-6:55m and Sunday, 5:15-6:00pm.   Session information will be sent in a monthly calendar which will include any session changes or cancellations.   Calendars are also located the Sparkling Blades uplifter home page under NEWS in the following link:    https://sparklingblades.uplifterinc.com/

Any questions regarding the program or scheduling can be directed to sparklingbladessc@gmail.com.   or Sparkling Blades Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/sparklingblades

Our method of communication will be the email address you provided upon registering your skater and some info will be posted to our Facebook page.   If you are new to our uplifter page, please check your junk/spam on a regular basis to ensure our emails are reaching your inbox.

Emergency changes/cancellations will most likely be Facebook first followed by an email.

THE CANSKATE TEAM

The Canskate Program is coached by three Skate Canada Certified Coaches along with Program Assistants (PAs) who are trained in the skills of the Canskate program and beyond.  They consist of both current and past members of our programs. 

Unless in the case of an emergency we ask that you not disrupt the session by approaching the Coaches or PAs during the session.   There will be co-ordinators and executive members at the session especially during the beginning weeks to assist you with your inquiries.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM AND FORMAT

The objective of the CanSkate program is to teach the basics of skating for all ice sports with emphasis on good skating technique. The program contains six stages.  By the end of Stage 6 skaters will have learned all the skills necessary to enter the ice sport of their choice.

The first few days of skating may look like chaos to you as you watch from the bleachers.   During this time, we are working with your skater to get them standing/walking and determining your skater’s group assignment for the beginning of the season.   You may note as your skater progresses, their group assignment within the Canskate program may change through out the year.

Once all the skaters have obtained good balance and groups are running smoothly, this chaos will disappear and you will see the session format into three components:  warm up, lesson time/group activity and cool down, all timed and guided by music.

Although the session is 45 minutes, in the beginning weeks 45 minutes may be too much for your young skater and they may tire easily.   If your skater is showing signs of being tired after 30 minutes, this is very normal in the beginning weeks.   It is best to let them ease into the 45 minutes rather than force them to stay on the ice.   Skating can also be scary for some little ones, so we won’t keep them on the ice if being there is upsetting as we want skating to be a positive experience for them.   We can try them bit by bit each week till there is a comfort level obtained for your skater.

Each skater registered for the program will be provided a name tag to wear on the ice.   As you enter the rink there will be a table set up.   Please find your skater’s name tag and attach to their clothing before entering the ice.   Once the skaters are grouped this name tag will also contain their group colour.

The Canskate program has a two-week trial period from the date your skater starts the program.   If you feel that Canskate is not for your skater this year you will have to withdraw your skater within that two-week time frame to be able to take advantage of the first-time skater grant another year.

PLEASE NOTE THE SKATE CANADA REGISTRATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

Should you feel you need to withdraw your skater, please email sparklingbladessc@gmail.com to make the necessary arrangements.

HOW THE SKATERS PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT

Assessment for the Canskate skills is on going:  as the skill is obtained the skater then moves to the next level of the same skill.  

Attached is a full explanation of the assessment process (Canskate program info) and a layout of the awards (Canskate Awards) for each level that your skater can progress through.  Both information sheets can be accessed under the CANSKATE RESOURCE tab on the main page of the Sparkling Blades uplifter page.

A Canskate equipment information sheet has already been sent to you and posted to our facebook page.   This also can be found under the Canskate Resource tab of the Sparkling Blades Uplifter page.

FACILITY INFORMATION

Please arrive at the rink ten minutes before the scheduled start time of the Canskate program.    Dressing rooms will not be available at this time therefore skaters should arrive dressed to skate with skates on.

Masks are mandatory for both parent/guardian and skaters when entering/exiting the facility.  Skater’s mask can be removed before entering the ice surface.   Parent/guardian masks can be removed once seated in the bleachers.  Six feet social distancing is required.

There will be ONE parent/guardian permitted to enter the rink with your skater for the Canskate program.

Once your skater has entered the ice, please proceed directly to the bleachers.  Viewing the program from ice level anywhere in the rink is not permitted.

                 Thank you for supporting Sparkling Blades Skating programs.

                 We look forward to a fun and active season with your skater!