Where do I find skates and helmets for my child?
We suggest you go to Bert & Mac's Sports or Canadian Tire for skates and helmets. Only CSA Approved hockey helmets are permitted on our CanSkate sessions. Helmets must be worn until a skater completes all of CanSkate Stage 5. Bert & Mac's also offers a good selection of quality used skates that are appropriate for learn-to-skate participants. Please purchase skates that lace up as they provide the best quality support.
How do I dress my child for their CanSkate session?
Young skaters just beginning lessons should be warmly and comfortably dressed in layers; although the clothing should not be too bulky as to restrict movement. Mittens are essential! Long scarves should not be worn as they can be a danger. Snow pants can be slippery for beginners when learning how to fall down and get up; you may want to avoid them. A warm turtleneck sweater and jacket, a hat under their helmet, and warm gloves or mittens are great. When the skater becomes more confident, less bulky and restrictive clothing becomes even more appropriate. As they progress, girls often like to wear skating dresses, skating skirts or athletic leggings, while boys will wear skating pants.
Are parents allowed on the ice during CanSkate sessions?
No, our sessions are coached by NCCP-trained professional coaches and assisted by trained program assistants. Parents can enjoy watching their children learn to skate by viewing from the stands in the arena.
How many days a week is best for my child to skate in the CanSkate program?
It is best for your young skater to be on the ice twice per week. They build confidence faster and get more opportunity to practice their learned skills. If you have them skate on only one session per week, try to get out to a Parent & Tot or Family Public Skating session together. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to get more comfortable on the ice and for you all to have fun as a family.
We suggest you go to Bert & Mac's Sports or Canadian Tire for skates and helmets. Only CSA Approved hockey helmets are permitted on our CanSkate sessions. Helmets must be worn until a skater completes all of CanSkate Stage 5. Bert & Mac's also offers a good selection of quality used skates that are appropriate for learn-to-skate participants. Please purchase skates that lace up as they provide the best quality support.
How do I dress my child for their CanSkate session?
Young skaters just beginning lessons should be warmly and comfortably dressed in layers; although the clothing should not be too bulky as to restrict movement. Mittens are essential! Long scarves should not be worn as they can be a danger. Snow pants can be slippery for beginners when learning how to fall down and get up; you may want to avoid them. A warm turtleneck sweater and jacket, a hat under their helmet, and warm gloves or mittens are great. When the skater becomes more confident, less bulky and restrictive clothing becomes even more appropriate. As they progress, girls often like to wear skating dresses, skating skirts or athletic leggings, while boys will wear skating pants.
Are parents allowed on the ice during CanSkate sessions?
No, our sessions are coached by NCCP-trained professional coaches and assisted by trained program assistants. Parents can enjoy watching their children learn to skate by viewing from the stands in the arena.
How many days a week is best for my child to skate in the CanSkate program?
It is best for your young skater to be on the ice twice per week. They build confidence faster and get more opportunity to practice their learned skills. If you have them skate on only one session per week, try to get out to a Parent & Tot or Family Public Skating session together. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to get more comfortable on the ice and for you all to have fun as a family.
Important Points to Remember
- Parents are asked to remain in the building while their child skates. You never know when they may need you.
- Ensure coaches are aware of any medical condition your child may have.
- Parents are invited to watch their child's CanSkate session from the stands. It is distracting to the skaters if you stand at the ice entrance or lean over the boards. Remember the coaches are there to teach your children.
- Skaters are not allowed on to the ice until directed by a coach.
- Eating and chewing gum is not allowed on-ice. Please help your child remember this.
- Be a good sport: remember that every skater is somebody’s child and they all deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.
- Support your club: pay your bills on time and participate in club activities. Remember that the Club is run by volunteers and they need all the help they can get.
- If you are not sure about something, please ask. All of our coaches, board members and office staff are willing to answer any questions you may have.
Equipment - Proper equipment is essential to becoming skilled in most sports and skating is no exception.
Skates – Skaters cannot learn skills unless their boots fit well and support their ankles. Medium priced skates are usually sold with the boot and blade either riveted or screwed together as a unit. Purchasing appropriate skates to suit the level of skater and your budget is of the utmost importance. There is nothing wrong with good quality second hand skates. However, if a your child cannot walk across the floor holding his/her ankles up because the previous owner has broken the support down it is highly unlikely that he/she will be any better on the ice. Skates should be fitted with one pair of tight fitting socks (the same type the skater will skate in). Skates need to fit properly, provide firm ankle support and consist of quality leather. Moulded skates should be avoided as they are inflexible and allow the skater less control. Check to see that blades are centered. To check the fit: partially lace the boot through the instep, slide the foot forward so toes touch the end but are not cramped, stand and bend knees slightly (but do not lift the heels). Skates should be laced fairly loosely over the toe and front of the boot but snugly over the ankles. Be sure the tongue is centered and pulled all the way up. NEVER wrap laces around the top of the boot. This can result in cutting off circulation to the foot. Laces should be done up snugly, tied in a double bow and tucked in. If skate laces are extra long they can be cut and the ends burnt to keep from fraying or laced back down the eyelets. The space at the back should be no more than a pencil width. There should be room to move toes but the foot should not slide around. The tongue should be sufficiently wide so that it will stay in place and it should be well padded to prevent the laces from cutting into the foot. NEVER buy skates so big that they will last another season, because not only will they break down faster, skater progress may be hampered by ill-fitting equipment.
Care of Skates – Wear protective guards when not on the ice, but always remove guards and dry blades before storing between sessions. Skate guards are necessary because they protect the edges of the blade, prolong the life of the skates and are a safety factor when walking on various surfaces. Permanent damage can be done to a blade by walking on concrete without guards. While removing skates make sure that they are sufficiently unlaced so that the back of the boot will not break down. After each wearing, blades should be dried with a cloth and stored without guards. Guards should be washed out or replaced occasionally. Never store with guards on to prevent rusting. Air boots out periodically. Skates should be sharpened when purchased and approximately after every 30 hours of use. Blades are expensive to replace; always use a reputable sharpener. The bottom pick should NEVER be removed, as it is part of the design of a figure skate and is essential for the performance of some skills and for proper balance.
Helmets - A Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet is required for all skaters in the CanSkate program while on the ice. The helmet should fit snugly and the strap should be adjustable. If a skater wears a toque or headband under the helmet, please ensure that it stays up on the head and doesn’t slip down over the eyes.
My child really loves skating... What are my options after CanSkate?
CanSkate is the best place to learn-to-skate! The skills in this program build a solid foundation for what comes next for your child. Some children progress to hockey while others go on to ringette, figure skating or even speed skating. There are a lot of great choices. Many hockey and ringette players like to skate with us in our CanSkate and CanPowerSkate programs to improve their skating skills. A day or two per week is an excellent addition to training as a hockey or ringette player. Those that love figure skating can progress to our Group STARSkate program once they have achieved a minimum of Stage 4 in the CanSkate program. Our Skate Canada Professional Coaches advise parents when they are ready to move up and learn more about figure skating.