How Do I Choose the Right Saugeen Shores Skating Club Program for My Skater?

Updated

Start with the skater's current ability and goal: complete beginners and recreational skaters belong in CANSkate, skaters who have mastered the basics and want more speed, edges and turns (including future hockey players) move to Pre-Star, and skaters ready for advanced elements and formal test evaluations continue to STARSkate. The club describes its programs as covering "all levels of skating," from learning for fun to competitive goals.

Match the Program to the Skater

Skater's situation Program What it involves
New to skating, or skating mainly for fun and fitness CANSkate Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program; progressive skills taught in group lessons by Nationally Certified Coaches and Program Assistants
Has the basics and wants more challenge, or is building toward hockey Pre-Star Group lessons focused on strength, speed, edges and turns, plus an introduction to basic jumps and spins for those continuing to STARSkate
Wants advanced elements and standardized testing STARSkate Training in ice dance, skating skills, freeskate and interpretive skating, with progress measured through test evaluations by certified Skate Canada judges

CANSkate: the default starting point

CANSkate is the right first choice for most families. Skills are taught progressively in a group format, so a skater who has never been on the ice is placed with others at the same stage rather than dropped into advanced drills. The club notes that youth and adult programs are available, so adults learning to skate are not limited to a children's stream.

Pre-Star: the bridge program

Pre-Star is where the club explicitly names hockey players alongside figure skaters. The emphasis on strength, speed, edges and turns serves both groups, and the introduction to basic jumps and spins keeps the door open for skaters who later want to continue to STARSkate. Choose this once a skater is comfortable on the "slippery side of the sport" and is ready for more structured skill work.

STARSkate: for committed, test-oriented skaters

STARSkate is the most advanced of the three core streams. Skaters train across four disciplines — ice dance, skating skills, freeskate and interpretive skating — and progress is measured through standardized test evaluations by certified Skate Canada judges. This suits skaters working toward competitive goals or who want formal recognition of their progress.

Other Things to Check Before Registering

  • SynchroSkate appears in the club's program menu alongside CANSkate, Pre-Star and STARSkate. If your skater is interested in team skating, ask the club about it directly, as the site gives no further detail on this page.
  • Season timing: the club advertises spring and summer skating and directs visitors to register through its registration page, so confirm the current session before planning.
  • Coaches: the club lists its coaching team (Janet Dawson, Brittany Sanderson, Cathy Champagne-Baker, Tamara Fenton, Jessica Ronholm and Michelle Venne Wardrop), which is useful if your skater has a preferred coach or discipline.
  • Location and schedule: these are separate pages on the site; check them before committing, since program availability can vary by rink and session.

A Simple Decision Path

  1. Has the skater never skated, or skates only casually? → CANSkate
  2. Is the skater comfortable on the ice and aiming at hockey or wanting a bigger challenge? → Pre-Star
  3. Does the skater want advanced elements and formal test evaluations? → STARSkate

If you are still unsure, the club invites questions by email at [email protected] — describing your skater's age, experience and goal is the fastest way to get a placement recommendation.