CANSKATE FAQ’S
I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER MY CHILD FOR SKATING LESSONS, HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Please contact our Registrar (Jenn Eamon) at info@skatemorrisburg.com.
MY CHILD IS 3 YEARS OLD. CAN I SIGN HIM/HER UP FOR CANSKATE?
Yes, children must be 3 years old by December 31st of the current year.
MY CHILD HAS NEVER SKATED BEFORE, IS THIS OKAY?
Absolutely! Our CanSkate program is designed to assist skaters at every level of development. Once our coaches have assessed the skater, they will make sure to assign them to our age and stage appropriate group.
THERE SEEMS TO BE DIFFERENT LEVELS ALL ON ONE SESSION, HOW DO YOU DIVIDE THE GROUPS?
Skaters are placed in groups according to skating ability and age. A portion of each class is the group lesson. The ice is divided up into groups and there may be as many as six different groups during one session. It usually takes a few weeks to assess all of the groups and move skaters according to their ability, so please be patient, and we will check every child to make sure they are in the right group.
DO I GO ON THE ICE WITH MY CHILD?
No, parents are asked to watch their child from the stands. This allows our coaches to have the complete attention of the skaters. Our Skate Canada Certified Professional coaches have many years of experience coaching young skaters and are well equipped to take care of your child during their skating session.
HOW DOES MY CHILD MOVE UP TO ANOTHER STAGE?
Coaches evaluate their skater’s skills on a continuous basis. Skaters in Pre-CanSkate will receive a ribbon once they have completed all of the skills in this level. Our CanSkate members will receive ribbons for each of the fundamental movements of Agility, Balance and Control at each of the six Stages. Once they have received the three fundamental movement ribbons on a Stage, they will receive their Stage badge. Sometimes this may mean changing groups, but they could also remain in the same group if the other skaters are progressing at the same rate.
HOW DO I KNOW HOW MY CHILD IS PROGRESSING?
At the end of each season, you will receive a report card with a record of their accomplishments. If your child is absent on the last class, please contact info@skatemorrisburg.com to request a pick up for their report card. Skaters start right where they left off at the beginning of the next season.
DOES MY CHILD NEED A HELMET?
All Skate Canada member clubs and skating schools who offer a CanSkate program must ensure ALL CANSKATE and ADULT CANSKATE participants up to and including Stage 5 must wear a CSA APPROVED HOCKEY HELMET WHILE ON THE ICE.
WHAT KIND OF SKATES SHOULD I BUY & WHERE DO I GET THEM SHARPENED?
Skates are the most important tool a skater has on the ice. Hockey skates, recreational and figure skates can be used for CanSkate. If you are looking to support locally, Sports Fix within the arena sells used skates as well as sharpens skates. Canadian Tire Morrisburg also sells new skates of all types. Our club’s website also has a variety of gently used, good quality skates and clothing for sale by it’s members. Check out the “Skates and Clothing for Sale” tab on our website.
Here are some things to take in to consideration when purchasing skates and CanSkate supplies for your child:
- Skates should fit snugly and provide support to the ankles. We recommend lace up skates (recreational, hockey or figure)
- All skaters working on Pre-Can and Stages 1 - 5 must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet for their CanSkate lessons. Bike and ski helmets will not be acceptable.
- Other items to consider include a skate bag and skate guards.
Providing your child with appropriate skating equipment will help them improve their skating skills more quickly and will make their on-ice experience more enjoyable.
Check out this video by Skate Canada on Proper CanSkate Equipment!
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT AT SKATING LESSONS?
Skating lessons are a fun and exciting challenge for young children. Our Skate Canada Certified Professional Coaches are fun and enthusiastic individuals who are committed to providing quality skating programs for our members. But parents please remember that ice is slippery and hard, not all children feel comfortable on the ice right away. Our coaches are well-trained in alleviating skater’s fears, just be patient and your child will soon be gliding across the ice with a smile on their face!
WHAT KIND OF SPECIAL EVENTS CAN MY CHILD EXPECT IN THE CANSKATE PROGRAM?
Our skaters enjoy fun days such as Halloween dress-up day, other fun dress up days, Skate A Thon etc. We also have our annual visit with Santa.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR TO SKATING LESSONS?
Wear clothing that is comfortable, warm, light and allows your child to move freely. Make sure to layer clothes so your child can remove or add a piece of clothing to suit changing temperatures and exertion levels. The coaches will be using markers on the ice when drawing out the skater’s circuits. The marker may rub off the ice if your child falls, so please dress your child in dark clothing. We cannot guarantee the marker will come out in the wash.
MY SON/DAUGHTER PLAYS HOCKEY BUT NEEDS HELP WITH HIS/HER SKATING SKILLS. SHOULD I REGISTER FOR CANSKATE?
CanSkate is a program developed by Skate Canada to teach the fundamentals of skating. The skills learned in CanSkate can help skaters interested in pursuing hockey, speed skating, ringette and figure skating.
MY CHILD WANTS TO LEARN TO FIGURE SKATE, DOES HE/SHE HAVE TO REGISTER FOR CANSKATE FIRST?
Skaters must learn the fundamentals of skating before they can start figure skating. Every child must start in CanSkate and progress through the stages to prepare them for figure skating lessons.
CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR MORE THAN ONE SESSION?
Of course! The more time a skater spends on the ice, the more chance for progression! Skaters benefit from working together in a group environment.
DOES EVERY CHILD HAVE TO PAY THE SKATE CANADA MEMBERSHIP FEE OR IS IT ONE FEE PER FAMILY?
The $58.70 Skate Canada membership/Safe Sport fee must be paid for every skater registered with the Morrisburg & District Skating Club. The membership and Safe Sport fee provides insurance for each member providing our club and skaters a safe environment in which we can enjoy skating. If you move away from our area, you can register in any Skate Canada club in your new city and start at the badge level you left off at in MDSC!
ARE THERE CREDITS/REFUNDS FOR MISSED SESSIONS DUE TO SICKNESS OR VACATION?
Credits or refunds are issued when a medical certificate can be provided by the parent. Due to the size of our program, we are not able to provide make-up classes for sessions missed due to illness or vacation.
WHAT IF MY CHILD TRIES A FEW LESSONS BUT DOESN’T LIKE IT, CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?
Skating lessons are a fun and exciting challenge for young children. Our Skate Canada Certified Professional Coaches are fun and enthusiastic individuals who are committed to providing quality skating programs for our members. But parents please remember that ice is slippery and hard, not all children feel comfortable on the ice right away. It may take a few sessions before your child settles in to skating. If you find your child is still not happy after a few sessions, please talk to your coach and ask their advice. Please see MDSC’s refund policy.
DOES CANSKATE RUN ALL YEAR LONG, INCLUDING THE SUMMER?
No, the Morrisburg & District Skating Club offers CanSkate from the end of September until the end of March. The Morrisburg arena does not keep its’ ice during the summer months.
LATE REGISTRATIONS
MDSC accepts late registrations until January. Depending on when you register, your price may be pro-rated based on the number of sessions remaining in the season.
MORE QUESTIONS?
If you have more questions, please email info@skatemorrisburg.com.