CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program designed for beginner skaters of all ages. The program focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. Badges are earned as participant learns the fundamental skating skills.

• Lessons are given in a group format and led by an (NCCP) certified professional coach.
• Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants (PAs).
• The coach to student ratio is set at a maximum of 1:10.
• Skaters progress at their own rate.
• Coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning.
• The program is developed by experts to teach the fundamentals of skating in a progressive, sequential manner.

Program Structure

The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning (with an optional seventh stage).  Each stage has a primary focus. When skills of each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded to the skater. CanSkate badges for the seven stages are listed below.

CanSkate Stage Badges

CanSkate A                                               Stage 1 – Balance

                                                                        Stage 2 – Glide Forward

CanSkate B                                               Stage 3 – Glide Backward

                                                                        Stage 4 – Edges

                                                                        Stage 5 – Power

                                                                        Stage 6 – Speed

                                                                        Stage 7 (optional) – Pre-Preliminary