Figure Skating
Figure Skating offers athletes the opportunity to experience the challenge of taking tests or entering competitions at the provincial, national, and international level. There are 2 main categories: STARSkate and CompetitiveSkate. When you register for a Figure Skating program, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:
- Opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system
- Complimentary Gold Test pins
- Opportunity to enter competitions
- Special club functions
- Opportunity to be talent-scouted
- Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, coping strategies to deal with success/failure, and principles of fair play/sportsmanship.
STARSkate
STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. This program teaches figure skating skills in a progressive and sequential manner and offers opportunities to take tests through Skate Canada’s testing system.
Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.
The Ice Dance program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm, and interpretation, as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters’ creativity, artistry and originality.
Free Skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music. There are several Free Skating tests, which consist of two parts – Elements in Isolation and a Free Program.
The Interpretive program encourages and develops skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, and interpretation of music. This program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements. Skaters can take Interpretive tests as individuals and/or as a couple.
Competitive Skate
CompetitiveSkate is a program for skaters in singles, pair and ice dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada. In addition to the life skill benefits, skaters in this program receive:
- access to provincial and national funding programs
- the opportunity to be selected to Skate Canada’s National Team
- the opportunity to compete at Skate Canada Sectionals, Skate Canada Challenge, and/or the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
- opportunity and potential to be selected to represent Canada internationally
The Qualifying Event structure
There are several opportunities throughout the season for skaters to participate in competitive events. Skate Canada offers nationally standardized competitions to competitive skaters. These events are the stepping stones to things such as the National Team and the World and Olympic teams.
Skate Canada Sectionals
The Skate Canada Sectionals are the first of the Skate Canada qualifying competitions. Skaters can compete in events from Pre-Juvenile to Senior.
Skate Canada Challenge
The Skate Canada Challenge is an elimination event for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships (Novice, Junior and Senior skaters). Pre-Novice National Champions will be declared at this event in each discipline.
Canadian Figure Skating Championships
The Canadian Figure Skating Championships are held every January and offers competition in singles, pair and ice dancing at the Novice, Junior and Senior level. Results from this event are used to help determine which skaters will be on the National team and which skaters will represent Canada at the World Figure Skating Championships.
Where do I go from here?
Skaters enrolled in our programs learn a variety of life skills as they progress up the ladder. These include goal setting, focus, ability to deal with success/failure, time management and principles of fair play and sportsmanship. There are a number of options once a skater decides to leave the STARSkate or Competitive Program. Skaters may wish to become coaches, evaluators, judges, technical specialists, or data specialists. Others may choose to join a synchronized skating team or to participate in skating as an adult member.