CANSkate
Children (5yrs+)*
Program Summary
Start Your Skating Journey with CANSKATE!
There’s no better place to learn to skate than Skate Canada’s award-winning CanSkate program! Designed for beginners of all ages, CanSkate combines fun, skill development, and confidence-building in a positive and supportive environment.
Whether your goal is to play hockey, figure skate, ringette, speed skate, or simply enjoy recreational skating with family and friends, CanSkate teaches the fundamental skills every skater needs to succeed. Our nationally certified coaches use creative games, music, and engaging activities to help skaters develop balance, coordination, agility, and control while having an incredible time on the ice.
Every session is designed to keep participants motivated and excited as they progress through nationally recognized stages at their own pace. Along the way, skaters gain more than just skating skills—they build confidence, independence, resilience, friendships, and a lifelong love of physical activity.
At our club, we are proud to offer a welcoming and encouraging environment where every skater can thrive, from their very first steps on the ice to achieving personal milestones. Whether you’re lacing up skates for the first time or looking to strengthen your skating foundation, CanSkate is the perfect place to begin.
Join the thousands of Canadians who have discovered the joy of skating through CanSkate—and let your skating adventure start here!
Skills & Benefits
CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program. It teaches the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner.
Fundamental Skills Include:
- Balance and body control
- Forward skating
- Backward skating
- Forward and backward stops
- Gliding on one foot
- Forward and backward crossovers
- Turns (two-foot and one-foot)
- Edges (inside and outside)
- Agility and quick starts
- Power and speed development
- Strides and efficient skating technique
- Tight turns and pivots
- Obstacle courses and skill circuits
- Falling safely and getting up independently
Benefits:
- Coordination and agility
- Strength and endurance
- Flexibility and body awareness
- Confidence and independence
- Goal setting and perseverance
- Listening and following instruction
- Problem-solving and resilience
- Teamwork and social interaction
- Sportsmanship and respect for others
- A lifelong appreciation for physical activity
Basic
Information:
Lesson Format:
Lessons are taught in a group format led by a Certified Skate Canada Professional Coach, with the assistance of a trained Program Assistant.
Group Size:
Group sizes are of no more then 8 skaters. Children are separated into colour-coded groups based on their age and ability while progressing through six levels of skating skills at their own pace.
Duration:
Each session runs for 50 minutes – 1 hour with the option of more than once per week, if desired.
These fundamental skills create the building blocks for all ice sports—including figure skating, hockey, ringette, speed skating, and recreational skating—while helping participants become confident, capable skaters who enjoy being active on the ice.
A Note About Adaptive & Inclusive Programming
Due to Skate Canada’s required coach-to-student ratios, Newmarket Skating Club has limited capacity to offer adaptive or inclusive coaching for skaters with exceptional needs. If your skater requires individualized or specialized programming to support physical, developmental, behavioural or cognitive needs, please reach out to us at skatingprograms@newmarketsc.ca so we can determine the most appropriate programming for your child.
CanSkate Coaches
Many of our CanSkate coaches are current or former NSC skaters who learned to skate in the same environment as your child during these sessions.
All of our CanSkate Coaches are Skate Canada Certified!
“There are no limits to what you can achieve. Dream big, aim high and never give up.”
-Kaetlyn Osmond (Canadian Figure Skater, 3-Time Olympic Medalist)
More Newmarket Skating Club Programs
Did you know, we also have a Summer Skating Program? Learn More
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