ON THIS PAGE:
- General information
- Learning to Skate (CanSkate & Pre-CanSkate)
- StarSkate (Junior to Adult)
- Seminar Series (Jr./Interm.)
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- Synchronized Skating
- Guest Skating
- Testing
- Program Assistant Training
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- Skate & Dress Code
- Skate Canada Membership Cards
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Skaters with private coaches must check with them on availability of lessons prior to registration.
Click here to go to the Coaches Page.
- Skaters must register for the sessions for which they are qualified.
- All skaters wishing to try Skate Canada tests must have a minimum 2-day membership. Adult and Synchro skaters are excepted.
- In addition to fees there are fundraising and volunteer hour commitments - refer to Membership - Commitments on the Registration page for details.
- The number of skaters for all sessions is limited
LEARNING TO SKATE (CanSkate & Pre-CanSkate)
CANSKATE (Ages 5 years & up) is Canada's only national learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. The program focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. Participants can earn badges and other incentives as they learn the six basic fundamentals of skating - Go Forward, Go Backward, Turn, Stop, Jump, Spin. These fundamental movements are organized into six stages of learning with each stage having a primary focus. Skills are arranged in progressions from the very simple to the more complex. Once the skills at each stage are achieved, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges. Lessons are given in a group format and led by a Nationally Certified Professional Coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. At MFSC the session is:
- 50 minutes in length, including a large group warm-up and cool-down
- Includes 30 minute small group lesson
- 1:10 coach to student ratio
- Skaters progress at their own rate
- Skaters move to next stage upon completion of previous stage
- 90% movement on session
- Fun days, music, teaching aids and a wide variety of activity
- Fun environment that promotes learning
PRE-CANSKATE (Ages 3 to 5) is a 30 minute learn-to-skate program, especially designed for those participants who are 3-5 years of age. Lessons are in a group format and led by an Nationally Certified Professional Coach with the assistance of trained Program Assistants. The coach/program assistant to student ratio is 1:8.
NEW HELMET POLICY: CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for Pre-CanSkate and CanSkate (including Teens & Adults) stages 1 through 5. This policy is mandated by Skate Canada and will be enforced during all skating activities including competitions, carnival days (ice shows) or any other special on ice activities throughout the season, for this level of skater.
PLEASE NOTE: At the Pre-CanSkate, Canskate and Junior Level, the club requires that there be an Adult who is responsible for the skater, present in the arena at all times during the skater's session.
ADULT CANSKATE (Ages 18 and up) is a 30 minute session, that follows the same format as the CanSkate program, with the exception of badges and incentives. Lessons are in a group format and led by an Nationally Certified Professional Coach. No previous skating experience is required. Helmets are strongly recommended for beginners but are not mandatory. Please also note Helmet policy above.
For questions or more information, please speak with our CanSkate coordinator, Sandra Smith, in person at any CanSkate session or, by telephone at 905-635-7678
Click here to go to the Registration Page now
STARSKATE
AFTER CANSKATE . . . THERE IS STARSKATE!
STARSKATE is a Skate Canada program which offers skaters of all ages the opportunity to develop fundamental figure skating skills, such as stroking, spinning, jumping and ice dancing. The STARSKATE program consists of figure skating skills in four areas - Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. At MFSC, three levels of STARSKATE are offered - Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Skaters progress through the levels based on their successful completion of the various levels of Skate Canada?s nationally standardized testing system. A Skater may only be recommended for testing by their Private Coach. The Club hosts 3 test days during the Fall/Winter Season (November, January and March) and 1 test day during the Spring Season (May).
Minimum qualifications for each STARSKATE level are as of the beginning of each season (i.e. Sep.1st for Fall/Winter and Mar. 21st for Spring) and are listed under each program description below.
JUNIOR A (previously JUNIOR) STARSKATE is specifically designed for those skaters just completing the CanSkate program. The Junior A Program moves skaters out of CanSkate, and into the StarSkate program. In this program skaters move away from a 100% coach-directed program, into skating independence. Junior level sessions may be combined with Intermediate level sessions. The Junior A session fee includes two (2) x 15 minute group lessons. Both group lessons are conducted by a professional skating coach. The balance of their session time is utilized through a private lesson with their coach and/or working on their skills independently.
Minimum qualification: Completion of Canskate stage 6 or at the recommendation of two of the Club's full-time Nationally Certified Professional Coaches.
JUNIOR B STARSKATE is designed to accommodate those skaters who have already spent a full season in Junior A but have not yet achieved the minimum qualifications for the Intermediate level. The Junior B session fee includes only one (1) x 15 minute group lesson as the balance of their session time will be utilized through a private lesson and with their coach and working on their skills independently.
Minimum qualification: Completed one full season in Junior A and have a private coach.
Note: At the Junior A & B STARSkate levels, the club requires that there be an Adult who is responsible for the skater, present in the arena at all times during the skater's session.
INTERMEDIATE STARSKATE continues to progress the skater towards skating independence and private coaching. Each Intermediate session fee includes tone (1) x 15 minute group lesson. The balance of the session time is utilized through a private lesson with their coach and working on their skills independently. Skaters must have a private coach at this level.
Minimum qualification: Passed one complete preliminary test level in any one of Free Skate, Skills or Dance categories.
SENIOR STARSKATE requires skaters to practice their skills and routines independently, with the exception of the time spent in private lesson(s) with their coach(s).
Minimum qualification: Passed Junior Bronze Skills and Junior Bronze Dance and 1/2 of Junior Bronze FreeSkate test (i.e. Elements or Program).
ADULT STARSKATE - skaters must be 18 years of age or older, and must be able to skate forwards, backwards and stop at will. Previous skating experience is mandatory. Adults wishing to learn how to skate to refer to ADULT CANSKATE.
New! JUNIOR/INTERMEDIATE SEMINAR SERIES
On Fridays this season we will feature a group skating session open to all Junior and Intermediate level skaters. The 1 hour session (6:00-7:00 pm) will include various fun, creative skills such as Theatre on Ice, Team Skating and Field Moves; taught in a group environment with 15 minutes to practice independently. This series offers skaters a great opportunity to experience other coaches and increase/improve their skills with their friends!
Click here to go to the Registration Page now
SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
MFSC is proud to support its synchronized skating program. For the past several years MFSC teams have competed very successfully in synchronized skating events in Ontario and throughout the country . . .
Read more on the Synchronized Skating Page.
GUEST SKATING
Guest Skating on a session for which you are not registered is available to StarSkate level skaters (i.e. Junior A & higher). The fees and rules may vary by Season and are outlined below:
- Guest skaters must qualify for the session on which they wish to skate and are subject to space availability
- Guest skaters are not entitled to participate in any conducted group lessons which form part of the regular session
- Guest skate tickets must be purchased in advance and are available for sale at the table during CanSkate sessions.
- Guest skaters must check-in with and present their ticket to the Coaching Representative, before getting on the ice
- Guest skaters not registered for any sessions with MFSC, must provide proof of current Skate Canada registration
- Fall/Winter Season Fee - guest skate fee is $18 per ticket (1 session) for members who are already registered for at least 2 days per week. 5 tickets (5 sessions) can be purchased in advance for the discounted price of $80. Skaters who are not registered for any session days with MFSC, are subject to a fee of $25 per session.
- Spring Season Fee - guest skate fee is $TBA per ticket (1 session). Members, who are already registered for at least 2 days per week in Spring, are entitled to 2 guest skates at the reduced rate of $TBA per ticket.
Note: Guest Skate Tickets expire at the end of the season in which they are purchased
TESTING
Skaters progress through the StarSkate levels (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) based on their successful completion of the various levels of Skate Canada?s nationally standardized testing system. StarSkaters who wish to test must be registered for a minimum of 2 sessions per week. A Skater may only be recommended for testing by their Private Coach and the Club hosts 3 test days during the Fall/Winter Season (November, January and March) and 1 test day during the Spring Season (May) - see schedule under "Test Days" column for specific dates.
Click here for Test Day Guidelines and Fees
Click here for a List of Skate Canada Tests
SKATE & DRESS CODE
For safety reasons, proper skating attire must be worn on all stroking (spins, power edges, power/speed, edges & turns, speed), junior group lessons, freeskate, skills and dance sessions.
All skaters must wear figure skates except on Pre-CanSkate, CanSkate, Teen CanSkate and Adult CanSkate sessions.
Jeans, flared pants, tear-aways or hats are not permitted on any session while on the ice.
CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for Pre-CanSkate and CanSkate (including Teens & Adults) stages 1 through 5. This policy is mandated by Skate Canada and will be enforced during all skating activities including competitions, carnival days (ice shows) or any other special on ice activities throughout the season, for this level of skater.
Skaters not abiding by the above rules will be asked to leave the ice by a Coach or Board member.
PROGRAM ASSISTANT TRAINING SESSION
Program Assistants, "PA's", are Club Skaters who give of their time voluntarily. They have attended the mandatory training session (held every September) and are qualified to work with skaters at the PreCanskate and Canskate levels. Minimum qualification: To PA for Pre-Canskate - must be 11 years of age by Dec.31, 2011 and at the Junior B StarSkate level or higher; to PA for Canskate - must be 12 years of age by Dec.31, 2011 and at the Junior B StarSkate level or higher.
The annual Program Assistant Training Session will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Tomken Twin Arena - rink 1. The on-ice session commences at 10:25 am to 11:15 am and a 1 hour classroom session will take place in the Club Room, immediately following the on-ice session. Pizza will be provided.
SKATE CANADA MEMBERSHIP CARDS
Any member wishing to print a copy of his/her membership card may do so by logging in to the Skate Canada Web site at http://members.skatecanada.ca/memberreg/logon.cfm. You will need your Skate Canada membership number to login to the site
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