CanSkate is one of the most important programs in a Skate Canada club.

This is where skaters have the opportunity to develop a life-long interest in the sport. CanSkate serves as a feeder into the StarSkate & Competitive Figure Skating Programs; however, it is also ideal as a means of preparing skaters for hockey, ringette, speed skating and even pleasure skating.

Please view our 2024-2025 SCBC CanSkate Orientation Package for more information our our program:

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.

CanSkate is our Learn-To-Skate Session. Skaters must have reached 4 years of age by December 31st, 2024 to register for the CanSkate program. Pre-CanSkate skaters must be between the ages of 3 and 5 at the time of program registration.

SCBC is also proud to offer a Teen/Adult CanSkate session. This program is open to skaters ages 12 and older who are looking to learn the basics of skating.

CanSkate participants are required to register for a minimum of one (1) day. CanSkate participants are free to register for additional session at their choosing.

Registration for the Winter CanSkate program will open on Monday, November 25th at noon.

REGISTER HERE

CanSkate participants are able to work with a private coach for additional lessons, during the first and final 10 minutes of the session. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Operations Coordinator Andrea Nesbitt at [email protected] for more information.

SCBC BASE REGISTRATION FEE

When registering for any SCBC scheduled session, the following base registration fee will be automatically added to your invoice:

  • Skate Canada Registrant Fee $28.00 (Mandated by Skate Canada)
  • Skate Ontario Registrant Fee $28.00 (Mandated by Skate Ontario)
  • Skate Canada Safe Sport Fee $5.00 (Mandated by Skate Canada)
  • Skate Canada Insurance Fee $0.70 (Mandated by Skate Canada)
  • SCBC Administration Fee $5.30

Total: $67.00

This base registration fee (covering Sept 1, 2024 – Aug 31, 2025) is collected by SCBC and remitted to Skate Canada on the skater’s behalf.

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.

CLOTHING

  • Skaters should dress warmly for our sessions: however, some items such as long drawstrings, scarves, dangling coat belts, etc. can be a hazard on the ice and should be avoided if possible.
  • Jeans can be cold and restrictive. Snow suits can be bulky to move in.
  • Active wear is best. Layering is recommended. Nylon material track pants and gloves are great for those skaters just starting out.
  • Mittens or gloves are required, but avoid using the furry/fuzzy kind as they tend to stick to the ice and leave hazardous pieces behind. We often use teaching aids which require the skater to hold or pick up an item, this can be a challenge in hockey gloves.

HELMETS

All participants are pleased asked to review the: CANSkate Helmet Policy

  • Skate Canada requires all registered CANSkate participants, up to and including Stage 5 to wear a CSA approved hockey helmet while on the ice.
  • The use of CSA approved hockey helmets is a mandatory Skate Canada policy and must be adhered to by all Clubs operating Skate Canada programs.  If your child does not have a CSA approved hockey helmet they will not be allowed on the ice.
  • Skaters must provide their own skates, skating helmets and gloves. Rentals are not available.
  • Bicycle, multi-sport and snowboarding/skiing helmets are not permitted as this helmet does not provide the proper protection.
  • Please make sure the helmet is not too tight or too loose with all straps fastened and long hair kept away from the face.

ICE SKATES

The most important piece of skating equipment is your ice skates. The skates consist of a boot, which is usually leather, and a blade. Your boots must fit properly, which means that they should be snug yet relatively comfortable, and provide good support for your ankles. A good pair of used skates will always be better than a pair of poor quality new ones. Your coach is the best source of information on which skates are best for your child.

SCBC strongly recommends that figure skates be purchased through a figure skating specific store such as the following:

Figure Skating Boutique

109 Doncaster Avenue, Markham, Ontario

www.skatingboutique.com

Esta

1226 White Oaks Blvd, Oakville, Ontario

*plus additional locations in Burlington or Richmond Hill

www.estacanada.ca

Ice & Nice

2445 Glenwood School Drive, Burlington, Ontario

www.iceandnice.ca

Hockey skates may be purchased from a sporting goods store such as SportChek, Play it Again Sports or Canadian Tire.

**When purchasing skates, you will need to have your skater with you to be fitted properly as skating boot sizes differ from shoe sizes.

Before buying skates, check carefully for:

  • Proper fit
  • Good firm ankle support
  • Good quality leather
  • Correct blade placement
  • Avoid buying larger skates to “grow into” as improperly fitting skates are a safety hazard
  • Molded plastic skates are NOT recommended.
  • Look for blades that are screwed on rather than riveted, so that the blade can be removed if necessary. If the blade is riveted, make sure it is straight and centered.
  • The foot should not fall to one side.
  • Make sure the boot does not have any wrinkles.
  • Make sure skates fit comfortably
  • There is room for toes to wiggle slightly
  • Heels do not lift inside the skate more than ¼ inch
  • We strongly recommend lace-up skates, as they provide the best support and promote proper movement.
  • Excess laces are tucked or tied up so that they do not hang loose or drag on the ice.
  • Double over hooks or double knot for longer laces to avoid wrapping laces around the ankle.
  • The skater should be able to stand and walk on their skates keeping their ankle straight.

Skate Fitting: 

Wear only one pair of tight fitting socks or tights. (The same pair that will be worn when skating.)

  1. Partially lace boots through instep.
  2. Slide foot forward so toes can touch the front but are not cramped.
  3. Stand with weight equally distributed over both feet.Bend knees.
  4. The space at the back of the heel should be no more than a pencil width.
  5. Tie skates loosely over the toe and front of the boot and snugly over the ankle and instep.
  6. Skates should fit snugly around the ankle and heel with some room for movement of the toes. There should be no looseness or creases in the boot.
  7. The tongue should be well padded and wide enough to cover the front of the ankle and stay in place.
  8. Walk around in the skates off the ice – the skates should feel comfortable.

 

Equipment Care

  • Skate guards are mandatory. All skaters must have skate guards on their blades when not on the ice. Guards protect and keep blades sharp; dull blades prevent skaters from moving and stopping correctly. Skate guards MUST be worn in any area that is not protected by rubber mats as tile flooring can severely damage the blade of the skate.
    • Guards should be placed on the name tag table. In the event of an emergency the skaters will need their guards on their skates. Please ensure their names are on the guards. Guards should not left in change rooms or with the parent/guardian.
  • At the end of every session the blades should be wiped with a dry cloth to prevent rusting.
  • After wiping the blade do not store the skates in wet guards – use a soft guard or leave open
  • Skates must be sharpened by a professional after every 15-20 hours of skating.
    • Hockey skates can be sharpened at Sport Chek or Play it Again Sports.

    • Figure Skates MUST be sharpened by a professional at a Figure Skating store (locations listed above). SCBC also provides a monthly Figure Skate Sharpening Service at Cassie Campbell. Please keep an eye on your emails for information on the next upcoming sharpening date.

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.

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 [email protected].

All participants enrolled in our program will receive a personal progress report outlining the elements they have achieved at the end of each CanSkate season.

Progress can also be viewed via your online profile in our Uplifter registration program: http://register.skatescbc.ca.

  1. Log onto your account
  2. Select “my account” from the drop down menu by your name
  3. Select “skaters” icon
  4. Select the name of the skater you would like to view progress for
  5. Select Evaluations
  6. There is a report for each of the fundamental areas listed below – select the most recent date for each report to view progress.

The CanSkate program curriculum is organized into three Fundamental Areas, divided into six stages of learning.

FUNDAMENTAL AREAS:

  • Balance: Concentrating on most forward skills, pushing technique and edges.
  • Control:  Concentrating on most backwards skills, stopping and speed elements.
  • Agility:    Concentrating on most turning and jumping skills.

AWARDS:

  • Three Fundamental Area ribbons for each stage of the program
  • Six stage badges

To receive a stage badge, skaters must achieve all Fundamental Area ribbons (Balance, Control and Agility) from the corresponding stage.

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. 

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.

CanSkate provides an athlete with a strong foundation of skating to prepare them for any ice sport including figure skating, hockey, ringette, speed skating or just pleasure skating.

FIGURE SKATING

If your skater is interested in pursuing figure skating, you’ve come to the right place! Upon completion of the CanSkate program they are eligible to enter our Figure Skating Program “StarSkate” at the Star 1-2 level. You can read more about the StarSkate/Figure Skating program HERE and also visit our Figure Skating FAQ page for some frequently asked questions.

HOCKEY

If your skater is interested in pursuing hockey, we recommend that you reach out to Brampton Hockey for more information on next steps after they have completed the CanSkate program. They also offer a program through the NHLPA called “The First Shift” which is a great introduction to hockey.

RINGETTE

For skaters interested in Ringette, please visit Mississauga Ringette for more information about next steps after they have completed the CanSkate program.

SPEED SKATING

Finally, Brampton is also home to a Speed Skating Club: Brampton Ontario Speed Skaters. Please reach out to them for mof

If you have any questions about next steps for your skaters development, progress or next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected].

 

Thank you for your interest in CanSkate.  SCBC is excited to have you aboard this season!

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us in person at the arena, by phone 905-450-5581 or email [email protected] and we will gladly answer your questions.