StarSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and artistic skating.

Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Assessment through a nationally standardized assessment system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in StarSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating, ice dance or pairs skating.

To be eligible for the StarSkate program, skaters must have successfully completed all 6 stages of the Skate Canada CanSkate Program. All skaters at the StarSkate level and higher must wear proper figure skates and skating attire and work with a private coach.

STAR 1-5
The Star 1-5 program offers the best-in-class figure skating curriculum in Canada, targeting athletes looking for a future in the sport. Taught by Skate Canada NCCP coaches, the program introduces participants to the basic figure skating elements to create the foundation for singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating.

All skaters in this program must have passed CanSkate Stage 6 or equivalent. We offer programs for skaters of all ages. Adaptive skaters who have the required skating ability are welcome.

STAR 6-GOLD
Star 6-Gold is an assessment and event structure for skaters who completed the Star 1-5 program. This structure builds on the skills acquired in Star 1-5 and introduces skaters to more advanced figure skating elements.

DISCIPLINES
Figure skating has four disciplines that lead to a high performance pathway.

  • Singles: Single skating is a term used to describe the discipline of freeskate. Generally, this is the most recognized form of figure skating.
  • Pairs: Pair skating involves two individuals skating as a unit performing freeskating moves. Pair skating also includes lifts, death spirals and throws.
  • Ice Dance: Inspired by ballroom dancing, this discipline incorporates musicality, performances and athletisim to all your favourite rhythms.
  • Synchronized: Synchronized skating, or “synchro” is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow. Synchronized Skating categories accommodate skaters at any age and skill level.

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

For more information on our current StarSkate programs (including schedules, fees and registration information) please visit:

2024-2025 SCBC PROGRAMS

Registration for all 2024-2025 StarSkate programs will open on August 7th at 12:00pm

REGISTER HERE

StarSkate has been the mainstay of figure skating in Canada for more than four decades.
When you/your child registers for a StarSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:
  • Opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized assessment system for achieving specific figure skating skills
  • Complimentary Gold Assessment pins
  • Invitational and regional competitions, including the Skate Ontario Provincial Series and Championships
  • Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure.
Once a skater is in the Skate Canada StarSkate Program, there are several of options. Skaters may choose to remain in the StarSkate Program, taking assessments (although not mandatory) at organized assessment sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still working through their Skate Canada Assessments.
Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada Podium Program for singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
There are opportunities to stay involved in the sport of figure skating for life through participating as an adult or at the varsity level, pursuing coaching, officiating, or volunteering!
The StarSkate program includes 4 components of Skate Canada Assessments that skaters work through:

 

Skating Skills
Combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated program. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.

 

Ice Dance
The Dance Assessment program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.
The dances in the StarSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance assessment before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters’ creativity, artistry and originality.

 

Free Skate
Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.
Each assessment consists of 2 parts – Elements and a Free Program.

 

Artistic (Star 5+)
The objective of the Artistic program is to encourage and develop skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements.
The Artistic assessments consist of skating to and interpreting a piece of music. Skaters can take artistic assessments as individuals and/or as a couple at four levels.

Private lessons are a service provided by the professional coaching staff. As a parent you should discuss this directly with your skaters’ coach. A fee is charged by the coach for this service, and is agreed upon between parent and coach. Sometimes, a coach may teach groups of two or more of their students if they are working at similar levels thus reducing the cost. It is important to keep an open dialogue with your coach, as this is the best source of information. New Star 1-2 skaters may take some time to adjust to the format of a figure skating session. You will be spending more time working independently and although there is a structure to the session, young skaters sometimes find it difficult to make the transition from CanSkate to Star 1-2. We encourage skaters and parents to maintain an open dialogue with your skaters coach and ask questions if any arise. All arrangements are made between the parent and the private coach – lesson schedule discussions and payments do not go through the main office.

StarSkate participants have the option to complete starting at the Star 1 level. The process of preparing for competition focuses’ skaters efforts and the performance experience can improve performance under pressure both at competitions and Assessment Days. Besides, skaters enjoy competitions outside their club – they are exciting and skaters feel proud to represent their club.
Each spring SCBC hosts a club competition at Cassie Campbell Community Centre for Star 1-4 skaters, which for many of our athletes is their first experience in a competition setting. For more information on this opportunity, please speak with your skater’s coach.
STAR 1-2

  • Must have completed CanSkate Stage 6 through a Skate Canada Club

15min group lesson

30min independent working time / time with private coach

15min group lesson

STAR 3-4

  • Must have completed Star 2 Freeskate Elements AND Program assessments

15min group lesson

45-60min independent working time / time with a private coach

STAR 5+
  • Must have completed Star 5 Freeskate Elements AND Program assessments

15min on-ice power class (Mondays and Wednesdays)

45-60min independent working time / time with a private coach

OPEN

  • Must have completed Star 5a Dance OR Star 2 Freeskate Elements AND Program assessments

60min independent working time / time with a private coach

StarSkate (Age 12+)

  • Must have completed CanSkate Stage 6 through a Skate Canada Club
  • Must be ages 12+

15min group lesson

35-45min independent working time / time with a private coach

For frequently asked questions about figure skating and the StarSkate program please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page:

FIGURE SKATING FAQ

If your skater is interested in pursuing competitive skating in singles, ice dance or Synchronized Skating please see more information about these programs via the links below: