STARSKATE
Please visit the drop down menu under Register Now for specific session relates time and costs details.
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition is what the StarSkate is all about!
How does StarSkate works?
This program offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic figure skating skills in four different areas:
1. Skating skills: a combination of fundamental skating movements, typically executed on a pattern. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed. Skating skills follow Star levels up to Star 5.
2. Free skating: consists of execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.
3. Interpretive: to encourage and develop skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements.
4. Ice dance: teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.
*CLICK HERE for Overview of Star 1 to Gold Assessment Content
What does “tests” and “evaluations” mean?
Assessments for STAR 1 to 5 Freeskate, Skills, and Dance up to the Junior Bronze level are performed in class by the skater’s coach.
Star 5 and higher tests will continue to be conducted by Official Skate Canada judges on club Test Days.
Coach assessments for levels below Star 5 provide the following benefits:
· Skaters are free to move through the program at their own rate. In previous years, skaters had to wait for a Test Day to be assessed. STAR 1-4 assessments, as well as most STAR 5 assessments, are designed to be available to the skaters on their regular session, during their normal time slot.
· Coaches are 100% accountable for skater development. Coaches have the opportunity to help skaters develop from CanSkate through to STAR 5. This ensures skater development is consistently monitored, nurtured and encouraged.
· Costs to the skater is reduced. Only the Skate Canada Assessment fee is paid per assessment. Extra fees required to host a Test Day at the club are eliminated.
Each assessment must be paid for in advance. The coach or coaches responsible for the assessment schedules the test during one of the skater’s regular classes once presented with proof of payment.
Evaluation sessions will be determined at the discretion of the coaching team depending on the progress of the skater. Parents/guardian/family member will be notified and reminded of upcoming evaluation dates.
Can I compete at this level?
At the beginning of the season, a list of the competitions will be distributed to all StarSkaters, including local and out of town events. Registration for competitions must be done online and must be determined approximately 30 days prior to the event. Once parents/guardian/family member have reviewed the list for the year, they are asked to notify Lori Leclair on which competitions they will attend for the year.
*CLICK HERE for more information on competitions.
Coaches will all work as equals to provide lessons for all skaters. This method is the recommended coaching style by Skate Canada. Your skater will receive lessons from all coaches on the ice. This format allows for your skater to receive expertise from each coach’s unique coaching style and benefit from the strengths of each member of our coaching team.
Types of coaching:
· Private lessons: Typically, private lessons are in fifteen (15) minutes increments in which one coach will work on skills targeted to areas that your skater needs to work on most. Coaches’ keep a detailed record of lesson content to ensure that each skater is receiving well rounded lessons from each coach.
o At the beginning of the year, you will be discussing whether or not you want your child to have private lessons by our coaches.
o This is not included in your registration fees. You will receive an invoice from each coach monthly (on the last skating day of the month). Payment is due within 5 business days of being handed out. They are payable directly to the coach by cash, cheque or e-transfers.
o Your private lesson rate will vary depending on the qualification and experience of the coach. Make sure you know the coach’s rate before committing to any private lessons.
· Semi-private and group lessons: These types of lessons entails that one coach instructs multiple skaters at the same level during one (1) fifteen (15) minute session. The coaching fees are divided by the number of skaters plus a $2.00 addition to every skater.
· Club lessons: Typically club lessons are fifteen (15) minutes in length in which all skaters participate and one coach instructs. Club lessons are included in your registration cost. Each skating session typically consists of 2 club lessons. A lesson can focus on stroking, dance, skills, edges, field movements as well as freeskate.
