CanSkate is Skate Canada’s Learn-to-Skate Program. CanSkate on-ice delivery focuses on continuous movement and emphasizes the use of newer and more dynamic group teaching concepts including the Fast Track, Fun Zone and Station Rotation all of which has been proven to increase practice opportunities and improve the rate of skill acquisition among skaters. More visual aids and music are used to create a fun, stimulating and welcoming environment.  Skaters receive report cards and award ribbons in addition to the Stage 1 to 6 badges.

Skaters must be at least 4 years of age by the end of December of the current year to participate in the CanSkate program. Skaters must be between the ages of 3 and 5 at the time of program registration to participate in the Pre-CanSkate program. Skaters must have turned 13 at the time of registration in order to participate in the Teen/Adult CanSkate program.

The goal of the program is to help skaters develop balance and coordination on ice.

Skate Canada professional coaches teach this 50-minute program, with the help of program assistants.  Children are separated into colour-coded groups based on their ability. Skaters have fun at various stations while working on the skills needed for the different badge levels. CANSkate lessons include a group warm up and cool down using the full arena.

• When you arrive, pick up your skater’s name tag on the rink-side table and place it on their jacket. Your child has been supplied with a “Name Tag” that assists the coaches and PAs (Program Assistants) in placing them in their appropriate groups. The PAs will collect their name tags before they exit the ice. If they mistakenly take their “Name Tag” home, please bring it to the next session.
• The first 10 minutes consists of a warm-up for all skaters lead by a program assistant or coach. The skaters are then separated into their groups.
• Skaters, in their groups, proceed through three “zones”, each zone for 10 minutes, each with a different coach. The skaters will travel in their groups to their stations with their PA group leader.
• The three zones are the Agility Zone, the Balance Zone, the Control Zone and going around the outside is the Fast Track.  The fundamental movements are covered in all of these zones with fun and energetic teaching methods. Instruction at each fundamental movement station will be provided by a Skate Canada Professional Coach.
• The session ends with a 10-minute cool down led by a program assistant or coach.
• Each child’s skill level is reviewed and evaluated during every group lesson with the professional coaches and badges are awarded as quickly as these skills can be mastered.

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CanSkate participants are able to work with a private coach for additional lessons, during the first or last 10 minutes of the session. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Operations Coordinator Andrea Clement at andrea@skatescbc.ca.

CITY OF BRAMPTON BY-LAW:

• Children under 10 years of age must be under the constant supervision of a parent/guardian 16 years of age or older. Do not leave your children unattended at the rink.
• Please ensure your children enter and exit the ice only from the designated gate/door.
• Parents are asked to watch from the stands upstairs to allow our coaches to have the children’s full attention during the session.
• Please do not stand inside the arena/rink as this is a distraction to the skaters.

The safety of our children in the CanSkate program is our number one concern. 

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IN CASE OF FIRE ALARM: 

• When the Fire Alarm sounds, you need to act immediately to ensure your safety. The Fire Alarm System is designed and engineered to provide you with an early warning to allow you to safely exit the building during an emergency situation.
• If a fire alarm has been activated while your children are skating, the Coaches, Program Assistants, Board Members and City staff will ensure they are evacuated safely.
• The skaters will be taken off the ice in an orderly manner by way of the safest and closest exit.
• As the skaters are exiting the rink, they must have hard guards to place on their skates. It is extremely dangerous for your child to be walking without hard guards. These guards should be placed on the table where the children enter and exit the rink. (coloured buckets are provided). Please make sure they have hard guards with their names on them.
• Never return for personal items left behind. This includes items left in the change rooms.
• City staff, Coaches and Board Members will check change rooms to ensure everyone is evacuated.
• Never ignore or assume the alarm is false or the result of a test.
• Everyone must evacuate the building by way of the safest and closest exit and/or stairway. If parents are in the viewing area, they must use the closest exit.
• Never use an elevator to exit during fire alarm activation.
• Once outside the building, remain calm. Coaches will be taking attendance. Please do not leave as we need to ensure that everyone is out safely. In the event of a real fire, if a parent leaves without advising us, the Fire Department will go back into the facility looking for the child.
• Once outside, never re-enter the building until you are told to do so by the City Employees or the Fire Department.

Skate Canada Brampton-Chinguacousy (SCBC) is proud to have all its programs taught by professional coaches who are specially trained and certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). SCBC is also proud to be one of the first recipients of the Skate Ontario Canskate Excellence Exceeded Standards designations.

Please visit SKATE ONTARIO for more information on the CanSkate Excellence program and this designation.