Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, CanSkate/Pre-CanSkate is geared towards beginner skaters of all ages. Skaters will earn badges and other incentives as they learn fundamental skating skills in Balance, Control, and Agility.
Some of the best skaters in the world learned to skate with CanSkate including:
✓ Ivanie Blondin, Olympic and World long track speed skater.
✓ Matt Duchene, NHL Dallas Stars and Olympic hockey team gold medallist.
✓ Jeff Skinner, San Jose Sharks, NHL Rookie of the Year and former Canadian juvenile men’s figure skating medallist.
✓ Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Olympic and World ice dance champions.
✓ Patrick Chan, Olympic medalist and World men’s figure skating champion.
What do you need to participate?
- Skates
- CSA- approved hockey helmet (no goalie masks)
- Mittens/gloves
- Long Pants
- Warm Sweater or Jacket
Which program should I register my child for?
🐣 Pre-CanSkate is designed to help young skaters age 3-4 become comfortable on the ice and develop the basic skills they need to participate independently in CanSkate.
Choose Pre-CanSkate if your child is new to skating and is not yet able to move forward or get up independently after falling.
Pre-CanSkate is the right choice if your child:
- Age 3-4
- Is still learning how to stand and balance on skates
- Cannot yet move forward independently
- Needs help getting up after falling
- Is not yet comfortable moving around the ice independently
⛸️ CanSkate — For Skaters Ready to Skate Independently
Choose CanSkate if your child can already move forward on their skates and can get up independently after falling.
CanSkate is Skate Canada's learn-to-skate program and teaches fundamental skating skills in balance, control and agility. These skills provide a strong foundation for figure skating, hockey, ringette, speed skating and recreational skating.
CanSkate is the right choice if your child:
- Age 3+
- Can stand and balance on their skates
- Can move forward without being assisted
- Can fall and get back up independently
- Is ready to participate in a group skating lesson
What do you need to participate?
- Skates
- CSA- approved hockey helmet (no goalie masks)
- Mittens/gloves
- Long Pants
- Warm Sweater or Jacket
What will you learn in CanSkate?
A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.
What can you expect?
Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.
What do you need to participate?
- Skates
- CSA- approved hockey helmet (no goalie masks)
- Mittens/gloves
- Long Pants
- Warm Sweater or Jacket
CanSkate Badges
