Intro to StarSkate

Welcome to STARSkate - Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition

2023-2024 Intro to Starskate Welcome Letter .pdf

Once skaters have passed Canskate Badge 4 at Stouffville Skating Club, they are eligible to move up to our Intro to Starskate session where there will be more focus on figure skating and progression into the Skate Canada STARSkate program.

What is the format of the Intro to StarSkate session?

10 min coach led warm up

30 min coach led group lesson

10 min independent practice time

Private lessons are strongly encouraged at this level to supplement group lesson instruction. Please contact coaches DIRECTLY under our Club Info/Coaches tab to check their availability. Please do not contact the club office for private coach inquiries.

For maximum progression and skill attainment, skaters are advised to enrol in 2 days per week (offered on Monday and Thursday nights). There is a discounted rate if you skate both days ($770) vs $570 for one day. Pricing is for full skating season Sept to April. Please consult the schedule for exact skating times.

Proper figure skates and skating attire are required (warm, layered stretch garments and no jeans or restrictive streetwear clothing). Please make sure all long hair is tied back. No gum on the ice. For the safety of all skaters and coaches, please refrain from games of tag during independent free time.

What is STARSkate?

Skate Canada's STARSkate program offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the primary areas of Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate, and Artistic skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in group and private lesson formats in a progressive and sequential manner. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada tests (at the discretion of the skater's private coach) through a nationally standardized testing system. Skater's may also opt to pursue Starskate level competitions, under the direction of their coach.

How does STARSkate work?

The STARSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas.

Skating Skills - Mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating using edges, turns, steps, edge quality, control, power and speed.
Ice Dance - Teaches timing, musicality, rhythm, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, and control.
Free Skate - The execution of jumps, spins, step sequences, field movements, stroking and program development.
Artistic - Encourages and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music and skating skills.

These four areas are divided into the following levels:

Skating Skills: Star 1-5, Star 6-Gold
Ice Dance: Star 1-5, Star 6-Gold, Diamond
Free Skate: Star 1-5, Star 6-Gold
Artistic: Star 5, 7, 9, Gold

Star 1-5 tests are evaluated by a certified Coach Assessor in a lesson (your private coach). Star 6-Gold tests are assessed by a Skate Canada evaluator at a scheduled club test day. Please note additional test fees apply and are not included in program fees or lesson fees.

What is the Skate Canada fee?

All members of a Skate Canada sanctioned club pay an annual registration fee which registers them as a member of the National Skate Canada organization. This non-refundable fee is included in your program registration charge. All Club information is communicated by email and will be on our website. Please make sure the office has the email address that you check often. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the skating office.

The Stouffville Skating Club regrets we are unable to offer makeup classes when a skater is away due to illness, vacation or injury or due to unforeseen cancelled sessions (i.e. inclement weather).