Programs Offered

Skaters must be at least 3 years old and able to take instruction in a group setting. This program is designed for beginners who wish to develop basic skating skills: forward and backward skating, stopping, turning, jumping, edges, and crosscuts. The Skate Canada series offers badges and incentives designed for this program.

Pre- Academy

Pre-Academy is a group program designed for skaters currently enrolled in our Canskate program who wish to continue in the sport of figure skating. In this program, skaters continue to work towards achieving their Canskate Badges as well as developing basic figure skating skills. This program is the bridge between Canskate and Skate Academy. Pre-Academy is an invitational group program. Skaters who have passed the Stage 3 badge (or may be close to achieving their Stage 3 badge), show enthusiasm, strong skill levels and a desire to continue into the sport of figure skating will receive an invitation to this program. Skaters who wish to enter into this program and who may not have received an invitation, please talk with the program co-ordinator. This group program includes a 20 minute mandatory off-ice class, followed by 45 minutes on ice instruction provided by Certified Skate Canada Coaches and volunteer Program Assistants. This is a two day a week program.

Skate Academy

Skate Academy is an invitational group program. Skate Academy is a group program designed to introduce and develop the basic figure skating skills necessary to continue in the sport. Skaters who have passed the minimum of Stage 5 badge in the Canskate or Pre-Academy program and show an interest and enthusiasm to continue into the sport of figure skating may be invited to join the program. Skaters continue to earn CanSkate and Skate Academy badges and certificates. The program includes a 20 minute mandatory off-ice class followed by 45 minutes on ice instruction, which covers basic figure skating disciplines such as skills, dance, freekskate, etc. Skaters receive lessons with a Certified Skate Canada Coach and work with our volunteer Program Assistants. This program is a 2 day a week program.

*Note: A responsible adult must remain with your skater at the arena during their lessons.

Abbotsford Synchronized Skating Teams

Synchronized skating involves a group of skaters performing in unison. Abbotsford Skating Club offers synchronized skating programs on specific sessions.

These teams are for all ages and we encourage male and female skaters to join us. All team members are expected to be active skaters (skating with a figure skating club on at least one other non-synchro session per week) and should be comfortable performing crosscuts both forward and backward.

For information on synchronized skating contact Cathy McCormack at cathymc@shaw.ca or Coleen Melsted at herbs4u@shaw.ca

ASPIRE program

This new, exciting class continues for winter!

Experience skating in a whole new way! Push your edges to the extreme, learn to work with others while still enhancing your individual skating. This structured class allows skaters to experience the other side of skating where rule books and CPC’s are thrown out of the arena doors.

Find out how much you can really do with those blades. It's not about "I can't"; it’s about "why can't I?"

Our motto: Why Not? Classes include skills that not only enhance basic skating skills but performance skills as well. There is also class time to develop a group ice showprogram.

Skaters who hold up the boards need NOT apply!

Minimum skill level: Junior Bronze in skills or dance or freeskate. Skaters who have not achieved the Junior Bronze level requirement and are interested in the program, please check with an "Aspire" class coach as to whether this program is right for you.

Private Lessons

The Abbotsford Skating Club also provides private figure skating lessons throughout the week. For information, please contact any of our Skate Canada Certified coaches. We have an excellent roster of coaches to help you and your child achieve your goals.

How to Be Involved

The Abbotsford Skating Club is run solely on the volunteer efforts of skaters and their families. Here are only a few examples of club operations carried out by volunteers:

• Negotiating ice time with the City of Abbotsford
• Purchasing and maintaining equipment
• Recruiting and hiring certified professional coaches
• Program Assistants for group programs
• Running test days and competition simulations
• All bookkeeping, banking, accounts payable, and payroll functions
• Fundraising
• Advertising/communication - local news media, website, newsletters, notice board
• Playing music during sessions
• Organizing celebrations

If you are interested in ensuring that Abbotsford Skating Club runs to the best of its ability, please don’t hesitate to come forward and ask anyone on the current executive, or a coach, how you can get involved. Some of the activities where you can participate include:

• supplying refreshments for test days
• music playing for test and simulation days
• shopping for gifts and prizes, and handing out goody bags at events
• organizing Christmas and year end events
• collecting skates and bringing to a professional skate shop for sharpening
• accepting registrations during registration events
• organizing a second-hand skates and clothing sale
• managing orders, printing/embroidery and sales of club clothing
• making EMI and background music mix CDs
• In CanSkate, Pre-Academy and Skate Academy programs:
  • Off-ice assistance during lessons
  • Communications liaison between parents and coaches—through email, newsletters or notices
  • Organizing theme days
  • Managing badges and rewards

Skates and Equipment

If you wish to purchase or sell skates or clothing, a notice can be put in the display case in the lobby of MRC Arena, please contact any Club Board member. The Skate Canada website has information about buying skates. Ask about the "Skate Canada Parent Handbook" which also contains information about skating.

NEVER BUY SKATES TOO BIG SO THAT THEY WILL LAST ANOTHER SEASON!!

The Skate Canada website has information about buying skates. Ask about the "Skate Canada Parent Handbook" which also contains information about skating.

For information regarding equipment, skate sharpening, etc. please contact the following skate shops:

Cyclone Taylor (Vancouver) 604-264-9261
Leading Edge (Surrey) 604-598-0288
Skaters Edge (Coquitlam) 604-521-5550

Categories

Skaters are only allowed on sessions for which they are qualified at the time of registration. Skaters turning 14 years old within the season may move up one category with Board approval.

Junior	Skaters who have not passed any tests
Intermediate A	Skaters MUST have passed their Preliminary test
Intermediate B	Skaters MUST have passed their Junior Bronze test
Senior	Skaters MUST have passed their Senior Bronze test
Open	All levels of private lesson skaters

---

For further information about our programs, or to register for classes, contact us at 604-850-1419