Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition
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 interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.
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 testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
- complimentary Gold Test pins
- invitational and interclub competitions, including the STARSkate championship stream
- Special STARSkate events and club functions
- Opportunity to be talent-scouted
- 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.
How Does StarSkate Work?
The StarSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas:
- Skating Skills
- Ice Dance
- Free Skate
- Interpretive
Skating Skills
Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo. 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.
There are 6 Skating Skills tests in the STARSkate program:
- Preliminary
- Junior Bronze
- Senior Bronze
- Junior Silver
- Senior Silver
- Gold
Ice Dance
Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, the 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 test 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.
The Dance Tests are as follows:
- Preliminary
- Junior Bronze
- Senior Bronze
- Junior Silver
- Senior Silver
- Gold
- Diamond
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.
There are six Free Skating tests in the STARSkate Program:
- Preliminary
- Junior Bronze
- Senior Bronze
- Junior Silver
- Senior Silver
- Gold
Each test consists of 2 parts – Elements in Isolation and a Free Program.
Interpretive
The objective of the Interpretive 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 Interpretive tests consist of skating to and interpreting a piece of music 2.0 to 3.0 minutes (+/- 10 seconds) in length. Skaters can take Interpretive tests as individuals and/or as a couple (male/female, female/female or male/male) at four levels:
- Introductory
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
What Options Do I Have as a StarSkate Athlete?
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 tests (although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada Competitive Skate Program or become involved in synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult or varsity member.Competitions for StarSkate Athletes
STARSkate participants love to compete! Our feedback indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this.
Program Etiquette
- Please be at the arena on time, dressed and ready to go on the ice at the scheduled session time
- Please use the assigned dressing room. Dressing room information is displayed on the TV in the lobby of Omni II.
Equipment Required
Skaters are required to have skates, warm clothing and gloves.
Clothing and Accessories
- Clothing should provide warmth but not restrict movement
- proper skating attire including dresses or skirts, warm-up pants or sweat pants.
- Absolutely NO jeans or pajama pants
- Hard guard skate guards
- Warm gloves
Skates
We recommend the following stores for purchasing skates, as the staff will help with the proper fitting of skates.
| Professional Skate 9216-51 Ave 438-9059 |
United Cycle North Side 16972-111Ave 481-5532 |
United Cycle South Side 10323-78 Ave 433-1181 |
Staff at the above stores will help with the proper fitting of skates, but before purchasing skates check carefully for:
- Proper fit
- Firm ankle support
- Correct blade placement