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What is CanSkate?
CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship ‘learn-to-skate’ program, teaching skaters from 3-83 how to skate. The program is geared to hockey/ringette, speed skating and figure skating. CanSkate has 6 fundamental skills: Going Forwards, Going Backwards, Stopping, Turning, Spinning and Jumping. CanSkate is also divided into 7 ‘badge’ levels. You can earn 16 badges!
The London Skating Club offers the following CanSkate programs:
PRESCHOOL CANSKATE
A learn-to-skate program for children 3-5 years, focusing on fun and continuous movement. 12 skaters, a Professional Coach and Program Assistants. CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory.
Skaters move into Canskate on completion of the preschool program (equivalent of CanSkate badge 1).
CANSKATE: For 5 to 12 year olds who have not passed Stage 6 of CanSkate &/or 3 & 4 year olds who have passed preschool. Group lessons are provided by NCCP certified SkateCanada coaches. CanSkate skills are divided into stages. Skaters are placed into groups according to the stage they are working on. Skills are assessed on a daily basis and badges are awarded when all the skills at a particular stage have been achieved. Skaters in stages 1 to 3 must wear CSA approved helmets. All levels of CanSkate will receive synchronized skating instruction on their session, once per month. The convenor of the session will be able to provide a list of coaches who are available for private lessons if parents wish additional instruction for their skater.
CANSKATE FOR OLDER BEGINNERS: Teenagers and adults, who are beginning skaters, will find we have a group for them on some of our sessions. The stages and coaching are the same as the regular CanSkate (above).
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Parent Information Guide - CanSkate, Spring 2010
Hello Parents!
Welcome to the London Skating Club’s Spring CanSkate program! We hope you will enjoy your time with us. Here are a couple of interesting facts about our program to help you get to know us better!
Who teaches my child?
CanSkate sessions are divided into a 10 minute warm-up and 10 minutes of creative expression/cool-down run by the session supervisor. The remaining 30 minutes is divided into 15 minutes of lesson with a club coach and 15 minutes with a Program Assistant. Club coaches are certified to teach through Skate Canada, while Program Assistants are volunteers who range in age from 8 - adult. Skaters are group according to ability level in a ratio of 1 coach for every 10 skaters (12 for preschool). If you are have a concern, please address the session supervisor.
Are there more opportunities for my child?
Yes! The London Skating Club also offers a Learn-to-Synchronized (LTS) Skate session as well as private lessons. LTS information is available by contacting Deb Neale (519) 657-9130. Private lessons can be arranged by contacting any of the coaches listed. Thank you so much for choosing the London Skating Club.
Skate Canada Cards / Tax Receipts:
When you receive your membership card or tax receipt, please store it in a safe place, as your registration number is your identification within Skate Canada. There is a $10 fee to re-issue lost receipts.
Where does my money go?
Of the $30 Skate Canada fee, $12 goes to Skate Canada for things such as insurance coverage on the ice, while $18 goes to the Western Ontario Section of Skate Canada for seminars and competitions. London Skating club does not receive any of the $30. We earn our money by selling lottery books (we receive $20 for every book sold), and by volunteering at competitions.
Have a great skate!
Amanda Eccles, CanSkate Coordinator Lisa Maurice, CanSkate Liaison
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Selecting a Private Coach
A Parent's Guide to Skating
The coaching of skating is done on a professional basis in Canada, and most other countries. Coaches make their services available for a fee. The coach is then available for hire to your son/daughter. All coaches in a SkateCanada club are required to complete a minimum of CanSkate Certification in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). NCCP courses provide coaches with training in a wide variety of areas.
Some coaches specialize in teaching beginners. Other coaches, who are gaining experience, only make a start with beginners. Beyond the area of beginners, some coaches teach disciplines at all levels (skills, freeskate, dance, pairs, synchronized skating or power skating), while others specialize in any one or combination of levels.
When looking to hire a coach, ask about their NCCP qualifications as well as their own personal test and competitive record. The coach may also be able to tell you the names and accomplishments of some of their top pupils. This information can be helpful as it shows how long they have been coaching and can indicate coaching ability. Even if the coach was not a high-test skater, their record may demonstrate an ability to teach at a higher level.
The coach you select should be the one your child feels most comfortable with, and the one you respect as a teacher. A coach should treat your child with respect and be interested in your child's development, both as a person and skater. Regular meetings with the coach are important as they can highlight other commitments, financial constraints or concerns/questions about your child's development.
The following coaches are available for the Spring 2010 CanSkate sessions:
Monday: Cathy Alguire, Traci Boland, Kelly Farmer, Erin Lee, Mary Lou Marchant, Mr. Kelly Marshall, Darlene Mitro, Michelle Rothwell, Shari Spada, Valerie Thrower, Traci Wells
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