FIGURE SKATING SESSION CRITERIA
SESSION CRITERIA 2025-2026 (June 2025→June 2026)
*Criteria subject to change to align with club needs*
Rationale: As the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club expands, we regularly reassess and update session criteria to meet the evolving needs of our skaters and the club. This commitment ensures that our programs align with Skate Canada's Podium Pathway while also supporting skaters in achieving their goals.
Ages as of July 1st 2025, aligning with Skate Canada & ISU
*NEW Program*
Competitive Academy
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support the unique training needs of Podium pathway skaters.
Eligibility:
- Currently competing in or tracking towards Podium Pathway singles categories(Pre-Juvenile to Senior)
- Training the full Competitive Academy program, 5 days/week (exceptions for skaters 12 & under)
- Full participation in on-ice and off-ice programs (attendance recorded)
- Age-eligible for Podium Pathway categories.
- *Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
Competitive Session
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support the unique training needs of Podium pathway skaters.
Eligibility:
- Currently competing in Podium Pathway singles categories(Pre-Juvenile to Senior)
- Training the full Competitive program, 5 days/week (exceptions for skaters 12 & under)
- Full participation in on-ice and off-ice programs (attendance recorded)
- Age-eligible for Podium Pathway categories.
- *Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
Competitive Development Session
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support skaters working towards Podium Pathway.
Eligibility:
- Currently competing in or tracking towards Podium Pathway singles categories
- Full participation in on-ice and off-ice programs (attendance recorded).
- 13 & under as of July 1st.
- Training 3 days or more of Full Comp-Dev program.
- Skaters 12-13 years old must skate 4 days/week to meet the Podium Pathway training requirements.
- Age-eligible for Podium Pathway categories.
- Must land consistent Axel with speed & minimum of one acquired double jump.
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
*STAR skaters aged 14 & up can register for Star 6-Gold.
Intro-STAR Session 12- & 12+
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support skaters’ development towards Podium Pathway or STAR Skate.
Eligibility:
- Registered in Senior Academy, *unless the skater participated in Intro-STAR prior to Winter 2024
- STAR 1 Skill completed. *If coming from out of club will require an assessment by the TD.
- Full participation in on-ice and off-ice programs strongly recommended for optimal development.
- Priority to KWSC members
- 12-, 12 & under as of July 1st
- 12+, 16 & under as of July 1st
*Skater 17 & over can register for 16+ or Open sessions
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
*NEW Program*
Competitive STAR 6-Gold Session
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support competitive STAR skaters.
Eligibility:
- Competitive STAR skaters & skaters 14+ working towards Podium Pathway
- Competing in STAR 5 or higher.
- Training 3 days or more per week. Priority given to higher commitment competitors.
- 16 & Under as of July 1st
- Priority to KWSC members
*Competitive STAR skaters 14+ who are working towards Podium Pathway can also apply for Comp Academy.
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
STAR 6-Gold Session
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support skaters working towards STAR competitive categories & test skaters.
Eligibility:
- Have completed a minimum of one STAR 5 test in any of the categories of Skills, FreeSkate or Dance.
- Priority to KWSC members
*STAR skaters aged 16 & up who meet the STAR 6-Gold criteria can also skate in that category, priority given to STAR competitors.
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
16+ Session
Purpose of Program:
Designed to support adult skaters of all levels after completion of CanSkate
Eligibility:
- Completed Stage 5 CanSkate and working towards STAR 1 tests or higher
- Priority to KWSC members
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
Open Session
Purpose of Session:
Designed to allow flexibility to meet the needs of all club figure skaters with additional training ice.
Eligibility:
- Completed STAR 1 Skill tests *If coming from out of club will require an assessment by the TD.
- Priority to KWSC members
* Consideration may be given at Technical Director’s discretion if space permits.
Resources
KWSC Skater Development Pathway
SC Long Term Development Plan
Updated Feb 5th , 2026
