FIGURE SKATING PROGRAMS
We are K-W's exclusive Skate Canada sanctioned skating club, and one of Canada's leading figure skating training centres. We offer singles, pairs, dance, and synchronized skating programs for beginners through to elite athletes.
Our training complex includes four Olympic size rinks, an athletic centre, a multi-purpose mirrored and hardwood floor studio space, jump training harnesses, a computerized video motion analysis system, and food concessions.
Skaters at KWSC can enjoy everything that they need to work towards their skating goals, all under one roof. Our staff team includes full- and part-time professional skating coaches and choreographers with years of experience coaching beginners through to Olympic medalists. Our off-ice training team includes personal trainers, as well as experts in off-ice technical jump training, cardio and strength conditioning, flexibility, dance, artistic and music interpretation, and more.
Long-Term Development Pathway from Skate Canada.
Skate Canada is continuing to develop resources specific to other participants including our adult community and participants with disabilities and these resources will be made available once completed.
PROGRAMS
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition - this is what STARSkate is about!
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 to Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.
Skaters aspiring to enter our competitive program will typically begin training in our STAR program before moving into the competitive program.
Click to view the 2020-2021 Skate Ontario STAR Technical Requirements Guide
Skaters leaving Fast Track or Canskate and moving into private lessons are encouraged to register for a two day Star 1-2 program with a selected coach. Former Intro to FS skaters that have not selected a coach may contact Pat teBoekhorst, Technical Director, for recommendations. The program will follow the guidelines of Skate Canada Star 1-2 with an introduction of Skills, Freeskate and Dance. There is a fitness component associated with this program.
JR Academy
This program is designed to follow one year of the Fast Track/ Gold Group program. This program is a 3-day commitment. It is a group program focusing on the advanced skills of skating for the purpose of advancing to STAR/Competitive Development/Power programs. This program has a tight tracking system, which will complete the CanSkate program and introduce/transition into the STAR 1-5 and/or power system. Competitive base coaches and power coaches are monitoring these skaters’ so that their advancements are tracked. The Technical Director will be part of the instructor’s team.
GROUP STAR
The Group STAR program is designed to follow the Canskate program. Skaters working on Stage 5 and 6 would be encouraged to skate in this program twice a week. There will be group instruction included within this program but it is considered a transition program leading into Star 1-2. There is a fitness component with this program once per week.
The requirement to graduate from the Group STAR program will be the completion of two (2) of the following STAR 1 tests: the Free Skate Test (jumps & spins), and the Skills Test (skating abilities). If a skater achieves these two (2) tests during a season, they will be able to find a private coach, and if space permits, add an extra session on top of their current Group STAR sessions and start training with their new Base Coach. At the end of the season, skaters will officially be graduating from the Group STAR program and register for the next season into STAR 1-5 sessions.
STAR 1-2
This is an entry level figure skating program that follows the guidelines of Skate Canada STAR program. An introduction to Skills, Freeskate and Dance is provided in a group private lesson setting with a Base coach. Skaters are encouraged to skate 2 or 3 times per week in this program. There is a fitness component with this program.
STAR 3-5
STAR 3-5 is also a STAR program at a more advanced level which follows Skate Canada guidelines. Skaters are more inclined to start competing at this level and will likely be encouraged, by their private coach, to skate a minimum of 3 days per week year round. There is a fitness component with this program.
COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT
STAR 4-7 is now referred to as Competitive Development. This program is designed to focus on the Freeskate component and skaters will be advised to skate a minimum of 4-5 times per week year round. Skaters will be directed into this program through their base coach and Technical Director. Skaters will be encouraged to compete at a pre Sectional level, Provincial level and beyond. Training and expectations are more intense at this level. There is a fitness component with this program and possible fitness testing for skaters.
STAR 6-10+ GOLD
STAR 6-10+ Gold is the highest level of the STAR program. Skaters are advised to skate 3-4 times per week year round and will also be encouraged to compete at the Star level. Skaters at this level focus on Skate Canada testing for Skills, Freeskate and Dance in order to achieve their Gold tests. There is a fitness component with this program.
STAR 16+
STAR 16+ is a program designed for skaters that were former skaters or possibly new Teen/Adult skaters that would like to obtain private lessons as a part of their training. There is a fitness component once a week for this program.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club is one of Canada's leading competitive figure skating training centres. We have a world-class training facility with excellent professional coaches, a dedicated figure skating ice pad without boards, an athletics centre, personal trainers, as well as dance and pilates studios.
We are proud of our current and former competitive skaters including Olympic Silver medalists Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch, Olympic Ice Dance Champions Tessa Virue and Scott Moir, Four Continents Ice Dance Champions Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, and many others.
Competitive Singles, Pairs, and Dance sessions are designed for the skaters competing at a Sectional, Challenge and National level. Skaters skate year round and have two sessions per day as well as a fitness component. Competitive Development (STAR 4-7) skaters transition from one session to 2 or 3 times per week to benefit from the competitive environment within each of the competitive disciplines. KWSC prides ourselves in developing many former National and Olympic athletes. It is our vision to continue to build our competitive program from the grassroots and beyond. Skate Canada has encouraged a “Skate for Life” model that KWSC is proud to offer our community.
Our singles program is designed for skaters that wish to excel in the world of competitive figure skating. This program is coached by our Base Coaches. We offer specifically tailored on-ice and off-ice programs to help skaters achieve their goals. Minimum criteria are set by our Technical Director. At present, participation in this program requires successfully landing your double loop. (criteria subject to change annually).
Click to view the 2020-21 Skate Ontario Singles Program Requirements
Program Requirement: Please consult with your base coach for appropriate training program and schedule. This program accommodates skaters training in the discipline of dance pairs from the primary to international level.
Click to view the 2020-2021 Skate Ontario Ice Dance Program Requirements
Program Requirement: Please consult with your base coach for appropriate training program and schedule. This program accommodates skaters training in the discipline of freeskate pairs from the primary to international level.
Click to view the 2020-2021 Skate Ontario Pairs Program Requirements
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM FITNESS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Our competitive skaters are committed to excellence and must abide by our competitive skaters code of conduct and agreement. In addition to their on-ice training, competitive skaters must attend mandatory fitness classes, and are expected to maintain a high fitness level. Fitness testing for competitive skaters and full-time dance and pair skaters is mandatory and included in the skater's program fee.
The Technical Director may, at their discretion, move a skater to a higher or lower session to provide the best training environment for all.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For related information, please refer to these resources found in our Skater Info Centre:
