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 consists of four Olympic-sized rinks, one rink specially designed for figure skating with mirrors and no boards, a gym, a studio with mirrored and hardwood floors, jump training harnesses, electric spinners, and food concessions.
KWSC Skaters get the advantage of having everything they need in one place to help them achieve their skating goals. Our staff includes professional coaches and choreographers ranging from beginners to international level. We have coaches who specialize in skill development and those who focus on competitive training for singles, dance, or pairs. Our off-ice training team comprises experts in off-ice technical jump training, figure skating-specific conditioning, flexibility, dance, artistry, music interpretation, and more.
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Long-Term Development Pathway - Skate Canada
Adapted from Sport for Life’s Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity, Skate Canada’s Long-Term Development (LTD) resource provides a framework for the development of every athlete to enable their optimal participation in skating. This resource was designed to recognize that every participant progresses, learns, matures, and masters skills at a different rate, with a focus on holistic development and developing the human alongside the athlete. The objective is to promote both sporting excellence at all stages of development and life-long engagement in physical activity and health.
Parent/Guardian Education Resource Guide - LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT (LTD) IN SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
STAR 1 - GOLD
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 who are not interested in pursuing Podium Pathway Competitive Skating can still enjoy the opportunity to compete in STARSkate.
Every skater’s journey begins in STAR. The first competitive levels are STAR 1–5. From there, skaters can either continue in the STAR program (STAR 6–Gold) or move into the Podium Pathway for higher-level competitive skating.
Click to view the 2025-2026 Skate Canada STAR Program Requirements Guide
Skaters interested in Figure Skating and moving beyond CanSkate can transition to the Group STAR or Jr. Academy program.
PROGRAMS
Jr. Academy
The Jr. Academy program is the next step after completing the CanSkate Gold Group program.
This two-day program focuses on developing strong fundamental skating skills to prepare skaters for entry into either Competitive Figure Skating or STAR programs.
In Jr. Academy, skaters transition into STAR 1–5 and complete their first figure skating assessment in STAR 1 Skills.
The program is led by Competitive Base Coaches, who track and support each skater’s progress. The Technical Director is also actively involved, working regularly with the coaching team to monitor development.
Group STAR
The Group STAR program is the next step after CanSkate.
Skaters working on Stages 5 and 6 are encouraged to join this program. Group instruction is included, and the program serves as a bridge into STAR 1–2.
In Group STAR, skaters complete Stage 5 and begin preparing for their first figure skating assessments in STAR 1 Skills and FreeSkate as they transition into our figure skating program.
All KWSC skating programs are developed and overseen by our Technical Director, Canadian Champion and two-time Olympian, Anabelle Langlois-Hay.
The Different Disciplines of Figure Skating
Single Skating
Single skating refers to the discipline of freeskate. It is the most widely recognized form of figure skating, where an individual performs jumps, spins, and step or field moves to music.
2018 World Champion Women’s Single skating
2024 World Champion Men's single skating
Ice Dance
Ice dance is inspired by ballroom dancing and performed by two skaters working together as a team.
This discipline emphasizes musicality, performance, and intricate skating skills set to a variety of rhythms. Unlike other forms of figure skating, ice dance does not include jumps or solo spins.
2018 Olympic Champions Ice Dance
Pair Skating
Pair skating features two skaters performing together as a team.
The discipline combines freeskating elements such as side-by-side jumps and spins with exciting acrobatic moves, including lifts, twists, death spirals, and throws.
Synchronized Skating
Synchronized skating, or "synchro," is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit, executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels, and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power, and flow. Synchronized skating categories accommodate skaters of any age and skill level.
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.
The Technical Director may, at their discretion, may move a skater to a higher or lower session to provide the best training environment for all.
For more information about our Synchronized Skating Program, visit the Dynicety web page.
