Skate Canada Star Skate Program 

(information courtesy of Skate Canada) 

The Skate Canada STAR Skate program offers opportunities for skaters to develop basic figure skating skills in four different areas with the option of taking Skate Canada Tests while earning awards and incentives designed for this group of skaters. Figure skating skills are taught in group and/or private lesson format in the following areas: Interpretive, Dance, Free Skating, and Skating Skills which are grouped into three levels: Primary, Intermediate and Senior. Some clubs may also offer synchronized skating within the STAR Skate program.

Benefits of Participating in the STAR Skate Program

Skaters may be taught in group or private lesson format and may choose to take tests, which are evaluated by Skate Canada evaluators. There are also many competition opportunities for STAR Skate Program skaters.

Skaters enrolled in the STAR Skate Program have an opportunity to achieve personal growth and development by participating in a high quality program that teaches the fundamentals of figure skating in a progressive and sequential manner. This program is unique in Canada. In addition to the benefits outlined above, participants in the Skate Canada STAR Skate program can receive:

• opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
• complimentary Gold Test pins
• access to invitational and Interclub competitions, including the new national Interclub championship stream
• specifically designed awards and incentives such as badges, tattoos and stickers
• various STAR Skate program handbooks, guides, technical manuals and video
• STAR Skate Bursary

Star Skate at the Coquitlam Skating Club

Whether you are 6 or 56, the Skate Canada Test Program offers skaters the opportunity to advance their skating skills in the disciplines of freeskate, ice dancing, skating skills, pairs skating and synchronized skating.  The Coquitlam Skating Club offers sessions for skaters of all ages at all levels in freeskate, skating skills, and ice dancing.

Within each discipline there are the following levels:

• Preliminary
• Junior Bronze
• Senior Bronze
• Junior Silver
• Senior Silver
• Gold
• Diamond (ice dance only)

The structure of Star Skate Sessions differs from CanSkate and Early Figure Skating sessions.  On these sessions, unless otherwise specified, the session fee is for ice time only.  Skaters receive private or semi-private lessons from the professional coach of their choice. These sessions are often designated for skaters at a particular skill level.  This is done primarily for safety reasons. 

On a freeskate session, skaters practice their jumps, spins, footwork and programs on their own.  Some sessions include "spin patches" which is time devoted exclusively to practising spins while other sessions include time for "stroking and edges and turns".  During stroking or edges and turns time, skaters receive group instruction from our professional coaches.  Coaching fees for such time is included in the session fees. Unless sessions are designated as "open", sessions are designated according to the test level of the skaters.

Skating Skills sessions are similar to freeskate sessions in that skaters work on their own unless they have booked a lesson with a professional coach.  These sessions (which are usually combined with freeskate sessions) allow skaters the opportunity to learn and advance through the levels of the Skate Canada Skating Skills Program.  Each level in this program contains specific exercises set to music which incorporate different basic skating elements such as turns, stops and field movements.

Ice Dancing sessions provide skaters with the opportunity to work on their own.  Within each level, there are specific dances that skaters learn.  For example, at the Preliminary level, there are three dances: The Dutch Waltz, The Canasta Tango, and the Baby Blues. Skaters learn to skate these dances individually and with a partner.  Dance sessions are strictly reserved for practising dances and, like freeskate sessions, are often designated according to test level.

More Details on Specific Disciplines

Interpretive, Dance, Free Skating, and Skating Skills are grouped into the following levels:

Primary Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Preliminary,Junior Bronze
• Free Skating: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
• Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze

Intermediate Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
• Free Skating: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
• Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Dance Variation, Bronze Rhythm Dance
• Interpretive: Bronze, Adult

Senior Level Tests

• Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold
• Free Skating: Senior Silver, Gold
• Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond, Silver and Gold Interpretive Dance
• Interpretive: Silver, Gold

Free Skate Tests

There are six free skating tests in the Skate Canada Test Program: Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver and Gold. Each test consists of Elements in Isolation and a Free Program. Candidates must try both parts of the free skating test at the same test session on the first attempt. Unsuccessful tests will have to be retaken in their entirety until at least one part of the test is passed.

Elements in Isolation

The Elements in Isolation portion of the Free Skate tests consists of stroking exercises, jump and spin elements, field movements and step sequences. At each level there are 14 elements, of which 12 must receive Satisfactory or better evaluations in order to pass that portion of the test. At the request of the evaluator, a maximum of four elements in isolation in Free Skating tests may be reskated once if necessary to pass. In all cases, the better attempt shall be counted. The candidate may elect to reskate an unsuccessful element immediately or at the end of the portion of the test.

Mandatory Elements

On each of the six free skate tests, all stroking exercises must be assessed as Satisfactory or better in order to pass that portion of the test (in addition to receiving 12 out of 14 Satisfactory or better ratings in total).

Free Program

The Free Program portion of the test is a program of specified length (see table below), set to music of the candidate’s choice. The program must contain certain elements (successfully completed) in order to pass the test. For a detailed listing of the requirements for each test level, please refer to the Skate Canada Rule book. Evaluators take the following criteria into consideration when assessing this portion of the Free Skate test:

1. Use of Ice: the ability to cover the ice surface using different shapes and patterns
2. Carriage/Line/Form: the skater’s posture and body positions
3. Speed: how fast the skater travels over the ice surface and the ability to change speed as dictated by the music. Sureness of Skating Skills with speed refers to the ability to execute solid basic skating (edges, crosscuts, steps) with speed.
4. Use of Music: the ability to skate in time to the music, to express the character of the music and to interpret the music Connecting
5. Steps/Field Movements: the steps and movements that join elements together in the program and the inclusion of moves such as spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, pivots etc.
6. Program Composition: the balance of elements in the program, the placement of highlights on the ice surface, the correct program length and the choreography of the program

Certain elements in the free skating programs must receive ratings of Satisfactory or better in order to pass the test. 

Skating Skills Tests

The Skating Skills Program consists of six levels beginning with Preliminary (the first level) and ending with Gold (the final level). Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating (e.g. edge quality, control, power and speed).

Skating Skills Levels and Exercises

Each Skills level consists of three exercises.

Dance Tests

The Skate Canada Test Program offers something for everyone! In addition to Skating Skills and Free Skating, skaters can also hone their skills in ice dancing. Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test Program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.

The dances in the Test Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass all the dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the compulsory dances, there are also Variation, Rhythm and Interpretive Dance tests, which can be taken once a skater has obtained a certain level.

For tests, a couple shall be comprised of a male and female, each skating their own steps. In the event that a female candidate is unable to secure a male partner, another female skating the male’s steps may partner her. Specific dances at the higher levels also do not require a partner to take a test.

At Senior Bronze, Junior Silver and Senior Silver Dance test levels one dance of the set has been designated as a mandatory solo dance. This means that the skater will skate the applicable dance both with a partner, and on her/his own. In addition, at these levels and the Junior Bronze and Gold levels an evaluator may request a skater to solo a dance. An evaluator may request a solo in order to determine if the candidate was assisted to too great an extent by the partner, to verify knowledge of steps, pattern or timing or to assess basic dance skills. When an evaluator requests a solo, it does not mean that a skater is automatically going to fail that particular test – it provides a second chance for the skater to prove his/her readiness for the next level! It is important to note that skaters over the age of 25 are not required to solo dances and may not be requested to do so by an evaluator. If the evaluator does ask for a solo and you happen to be over 25, be complimented by the fact that you look so youthful and politely indicate to the evaluator that you are over the age of 25 (you need not be any more specific than that!).

When trying a Skate Canada Test Program dance, candidates are assessed by evaluators using the following criteria:

Dance Rhythm

1. Timing: the proper relationship of the strokes and other movements to the music.
2. Expression: the quality of dancing that interprets the character of the music that designated the type of dance (waltz, tango, march etc.)
3. Unison: the mutual coordination of the movements and positions as a couple

Execution

1. Accuracy/Flow: the steps, timing and movement of the dances must be skated in accordance with the regulations.
2. Style/Form: in general, carriage should be upright but not stiff, with the head up.
3. Pattern/Placement: the skating of the prescribed patterns and its intelligent location within the skating area.
   

For detailed information on patterns and dance steps, please refer to the Skate Canada Rule book.

Interpretive Tests (revised as of July 2002)

Interpretive Skating programs are to be evaluated using the following criteria:

Specific skills will be evaluated on the following scale: Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, and Needs Improvement.

Skating

1. Edge and Turn Quality: Quality of basic edges and turns (e.g. three turns, brackets, Choctaws etc.) incorporated into the choreography of the program.
2. Speed, Flow and Power: Gaining and maintenance of speed; easy and continual flow; power reflective of the ability of the skater and the chosen music/theme.
3. Creative Movement with Sureness: Incorporating new and creative movements performed with sureness and control.
4. Carriage and Line: Upper body carriage and body line reflective of the chosen music/theme yet still incorporating good style (e.g. a skater may choose African Tribal dance music; one would expect angular lines and departure from the "normal" skating posture, but this should not be confused with poor basic form. In other words, there is a difference between intentional choreography and poor basic form and line).

Performance

1. Interpretation of Music: Clear interpretation of the chosen music.
2. Communication of Theme: The skater's ability to portray the chosen theme through interpretation of music, skating skills and movement rather than through mime and posing. The current evaluation of "Development of Theme" is problematic in that too many people get caught up in trying to tell (or discern from the performance given) a story from start to finish. This limits creativity and shifts the focus of the program from development of interpretation skills and creative movement/performance. The "Communication of Theme" idea allows for less subjectivity and more objectivity as it is easier to decide whether a skater is utilizing the music chosen (with an appropriate underlying theme), creative movement and strong basic skating skills then it is to evaluate a skater's ability to tell the story of Juliet's Death for example.
3. Use of Whole Body: Skater's ability to use the entire body (including torso) to help interpret the music and communicate the theme. Particular attention should be paid in differentiating between postural and gestural movements.
4. Use of Levels and Space: Skater's ability to use low, mid and high levels as well as space (either immediately surrounding the body as well as within the performance area, or ice surface). The Interpretive Program is a perfect vehicle to begin experimenting with use of levels and space which then can ideally be incorporated into other free skating or ice dancing programs once the skill is more developed.
5. Originality/Creativity: Skaters should be encouraged to choose (and rewarded when chosen) an unknown theme or original interpretation of a known piece of music. vi) Interaction - This is relevant to couples only and reflects the need for interaction between the couple during the test but encourages more creativity than what might be the case if the term "unison" is incorporated.

NOTE: Since falls may, in the Interpretive program, be a deliberate choice in order to enhance the development of the theme, marks should only be deducted for falls that clearly interrupt that development. Such falls should be penalized in the second mark.

Competitions for Skate Canada Test Program Participants

Star Skate Program participants love to compete! Recent surveys done by Skate Canada indicate that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada Competitive Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skills in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this. There are several local fun competitions throughout the year. Consult our calendar of events and your coach about competitions that you may enter.

Club Competitions

Clubs offer competitions for their members to compete against each other. The club determines the categories which generally follow Skate Canada Test Program guidelines (e.g. length of program, category name, type of event offered etc.) The club may also offer other creative events such as longest shoot-the-duck, interpretive events, similar pairs, etc.)

Interclub Competitions

An organized event involving a number of clubs in the same region or area. Categories offered generally fall in line with applicable Skate Canada Section specifications so that all Interclubs within the Section are standardized (this allows for a Section final which most Sections offer). For further information regarding these events, refer to the Section to which you belong. Also stay tuned to this Web site for exciting information regarding the Interclub Championship stream, currently in the development phase.

Invitational Competitions

An event coordinated and offered by a Section or Club(s) generally to test and competitive skaters (separate events offered). Most events fall within Skate Canada's specifications (e.g. program length, eligibility etc.), but you should always check the competition announcement (the listing of specific information published for that particular event) to verify requirements.

National Interclub Competitions

Just as in the competitive stream, Star Skate participants may also compete at their own Sectional Championships. To qualify, skaters must compete at the BC Coast Regional Qualifying competition (held every October). Depending on the event, a set number of skaters will advance to the British Columbia and Yukon Sectional Championships (called Pacific Skate) which is held in January. This competition may be held anywhere in the province. To find out how many skaters will be advancing from each category at the Regional competitions, please consult the BC Coast Region Competition Announcement.

How To Register

Please see our current registration brochure for information on how to register for sessions.

After Star Skate

Once a skater is in the Skate Canada Test Program, there are a number of options. Skaters may choose to remain in the Test Program, taking tests (or not) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions as outlined above, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada Competitive Program, try their hand at synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult member. The choice is up to you! Your coach is always a good person to help you decide which direction you should take.