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Pre-CanSkate Program Overview 

Tentative Schedule:

Monday and Wednesdays Session 1: 5:00pm-5:30pm and Session 2: 5:30pm-6:00pm

 

The Pre-CanSkate program is a non-parented 30-minute program designed for children ages 3 and 4, who have not had any significant time on skates. Skaters will learn in an energetic, fun environment using skating aids and toys with the goal of having fun.

Lessons are taught by Skate Canada Certified Professional Coaches and Trained Program Assistants in a group format. Skaters are to be dressed warmly for classes, including waterproof mitts or gloves. Snowpants are also recommended.

Once skaters have met the program requirements for Pre-CanSkate, they enter the CanSkate program. 

They may register in CanSkate if they have not attended Pre-CanSkate but do have the skills below or are age 5+ 

 

There are 8 basic skills for the skaters in this program:

  1. Balance on 2 feet

  2. Fall down and get up unassisted

  3. Move forward

  4. Move backward

  5. March around on the spot

  6. Make “snow”

  7. Jump on the spot

  8. 2-foot twist on the spot

 

Register Here

 

What happens on the first day?

  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to the ice time. 
  • Check the monitor in the lobby for the dressing room assigned to Skate Ponoka. Please do not change in rooms not assigned as other clubs/user groups may have those dressing rooms assigned to them. 
  • Find the registration table in the lobby to turn in your volunteer bond cheque
  • Collect your skaters name tag and attach it to their jacket. Note the coaches will keep it at the end of the class to take attendance. 
  • Arrive with your skater fully dressed with skates and guards on to protect skates to the side of the ice surface. The coaches will invite the kids on the ice when they are ready.
  • Pre-CanSkate will have a meeting with Coach Lois/skaters/parents before proceeding onto the ice. 
  • Note: The first couple of classes are when skaters are grouped and it's normal for skaters to be a bit confused or the session to look hectic.  There will be be some switching of groups and adjustments to ensure all skaters are in appropriate groups and skill levels in the first few classes. Coaches may move skaters to different groups throughout the program based on how they progress. The kids will also learn the system of how our circuits operate. There will be a warm up skate, 3 circuits and then a cool down skate.