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STARSkate Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need skating experience to register for the STARSkate/Figure Skating program?
What equipment do I need to be in the STARSkate/Figure Skating program?
How does the format differ from CanSkate?
What is a Program Assistant (PA) and is it required to be one?
How do I pay the coach and how much is it?
How many times per week do I need to skate?
How do I move up to the next level?
How do I know when my skater is ready to be assessed?
How long does it take for a skater to move through the STAR levels?
I have questions about my skaters progress. Who should I talk to?
What is required at each STAR Level Test?
What are the different jumps?
What are the different spins?
Do I need skating experience to register for the STARSkate/Figure Skating program?
Yes, skaters must have passed Stage 6 of the CanSkate program to participate in the STARSkate program.
If your skater has passed Stage 6 at a different club, please provide our office with a copy of the report card so we can update your account accordingly.
What equipment do I need to be in the STARSkate/Figure Skating program?
Skaters in the STARSkate program are required to wear figure skates. Hockey skates are not suitable for this program. Athletic clothing, skating skirts and simple skating dresses can be worn by skaters during practice ice. Hooded sweatshirts are not recommended as they can obstruct the view of your skater. We also ask that Skaters where their hair out of their face while on the ice. Skaters who have passed Stage 5 of CanSkate are no longer required to wear a helmet while on the ice.
How does the format differ from CanSkate?
STARSkate sessions can consist of both group lesson of unstructured ice time, also known as private ice time. In this time skaters practice their skills independently. Some skaters will also use the unstructured time for private lessons with a coach. There are no report cards or badges in the STARSkate program. Skaters will need to hire a private "base" coach to progress through the STAR levels by completing STAR Assessments with their coach.
What is a Program Assistant (PA) and is it required to be one?
Program assistance are trained skaters who help with our CanSkate programs and they are an integral part of our organization. We strongly encourage all of our STARSkaters to volunteer as much as we can as having a strong CanSkate program helps keep our STARSkate program strong as well. PAs will earn "Points" which can be used to pay for club expenses such as registration and in-house tests.
Border Buddies is a program we have implemented to encourage comradery, build lasting friendships off the ice & create a "family" type atmosphere here at Border Skating Club. Skaters are encouraged to support their Buddies by giving a good luck note prior to a test day or competition, get together for group lesson groups, be a mentor to other skaters while skating and help answer questions for newer skaters. This program is optional, if your skater would not like to participate please let us know at the beginning of the season.
Yes. Your skater will need a Base Coach to track their progress and to determine when your skater is ready to move on to the next level. There are no report cards and level tracking in the STARSkate program, so skaters will need a private coach to help direct their progress. Progress is determined by assessments, administered by the coach and further on, by testing in front of judges on Assessment Days. Skates may take additional lessons from coaches other than their Base Coach if the desire.
Visit Our Coaches page for information on the coaching staff.
If you already have a coach in mind, you can contact them directly to inquire about their availability. If you don't know any of our coaches, sign up for the sessions you would like and reach out to a coach to get to know them. Some tips on finding a coach are:
- Have a list of questions to ask the coach
- Ask parents who already have a skater taking private lessons
- Ask a board member for information
- Call potential coaches to arrange an interview
- Conduct an informal interview over the phone
- Come out and watch private lessons to see skaters and coaches in action
Please note that it is the Parent and/or Skater's responsibility to initiate the discussion of private instruction. BSC Coaches and Board Members may not directly refer a specific coach for private lessons nor solicit an arrangement for private lessons, as per the Skate Canada Code of Ethics.
At Border Skating Club, we are very proud of our coaching team and would recommend all of them! All coaches are NCCP Certified members of Skate Canada (National Coaching Certification Program). NCCP courses provide coaches with training in a wide variety of areas. Border Skating Club more than happy to provide you with a list of coaches who are available, but this decision is best made by you and your skater. We always recommend you meet with the coaches you are considering before hiring them, and ask them any questions you may have during this meeting.
How do I pay the coach and how much is it?
The agreement is between you and the coach. Most coaches bill their skaters on a monthly basis and you make payment directly to them. Coaches are independent contractors and their fees are based on qualifications and experience. Please speak to the coach directly before agreeing to work with them to find out their coaching fees.
How many times per week do I need to skate?
Skaters in STARSkate are required to skate at least once per week. This is the minimum, although the more you skate the faster you tend to progress. The recommendation of the Skate Canada Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) is that youth skating at this level skate two to five days a week, 45 to 60 minutes of on ice training each of those days. The Skate Canada LTAD is a well researched document which speaks to how to support your skater’s development through all elements of training (on-ice/off-ice/nutrition etc) as well as how support your skater’s emotional and academic development outside of their skate training.
How do I move up to the next level?
Skaters move up to the next level by completing STARSkate assessments. Your coach will guide you through the assessment process and let you know when you are ready to be assessed. Feel free to speak to your skaters coach outside of their on ice time if you would like to know more about your skaters progress and the assessment process.
How do I know when my skater is ready to be assessed?
Your coach will let you know when your skater is ready to be assessed, and they will let you know which STAR Assessment you need to purchase online. Before a skater can be assessed they must purchase a test ticket. This pays for the Skate Canada Test Fee. Test tickets may be purchase under products on our registration page.
How long does it take for a skater to move through the STAR levels?
There is no specific time limit on how long a skater will spend in each level as every skater learns and progresses at their own pace. Skaters are required to pass a certain amount of tests, which may include specific tests, in order to move to the next STAR level.
I have questions about my skaters progress. Who should I talk to?
Any questions regarding your skaters progress should be directed to your skaters coach. Feel free to speak to your skaters coach outside of their on ice time or send them an email if you would like to know more about your skaters progress. If you still have concerns, feel free to bring them forward to a board member.
Off Ice is conditioning and practice that is done not on the ice surface. It is an important aspect to Figure Skating to help skaters improve. Some off ice that may be offered each season is: Stretching Classes, Off Ice Jumper, Off Ice Spinning, Cardio, Dance, Mental Training, Off Ice Jump Technique, Yoga etc
What is required at each STAR Level Test?
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What are the different jumps?
Waltz
A waltz jump begins with along glide on a right back outside edge. The skater steps forward onto a left forward outside edge, kicking the right leg up and through to begin the lift into the air. The arms should be held away from the body since this is only a half rotation jump. As with all jumps, the skater lands on a right back outside edge. The waltz jump and the axel are the only jumps where the skater takes off while facing forwards.
Salchow
It was invented by Ulrich Salchow. The salchow is an edge jump which starts with the skater going forwards and stepping into a mohawk to a right back outside edge. Without pausing, the skater continues the momentum established by the mohawk by stepping onto a shallow left forward outside edge. The right shoulder should be firmly back and the left should be a strong check following a three turn onto a left back inside edge. The right shoulder should stay firmly back during and after the three turn. The skater brings the free leg around up and through in a scooping motion from the back inside edge to lift the jump into the air. By the time the blade leaves the ice, the skate is actually facing forwards. Some skaters like to substitute the mohawk for the three turn although it is recommended a beginner use the three turn approach.
Toe Loop
The toe loop begins with a skater moving forwards with both feet on the ice and apart. The skater does a right forward inside three turn with a check at the end of it. The skater reaches back with the left free leg and jabs the toe pick into the ice, thus pole vaulting off the toe pick and into the air.
Loop
The loop starts with both feet on the ice about a foot apart on a right back outside and left back inside edge. the weight is squarely over the right hip. The skater begins the jump by bending the knees and falling onto a deep right back outside edge. The left leg drifts across the right as the edge deepens. As the edge is about to turn into a three turn, the skater jumps off the right leg straight up into the air. It should feel like you're popping straight up.
Flip
The flip jump starts on a left forward inside edge with the right leg off the ice and in front of the body. The left shoulder is in front and the right shoulder is in back. The skater pushes forwards off the right toe. As the left foot passes the right foot, it switches from an inside edge to an outside edge. The motion is like a skate boarder standing on his skate board with his left leg and pushing forwards with the right leg. The skater uses the momentum from the toe pick push to do a left forward outside three turn to a left back inside edge. The skater reaches back with the right leg and jabs the toe pick into the ice thus pole vaulting into the air.
Lutz
It was named for inventor Alois Lutz. The lutz jump is similar to the flip jump in that it is a toe jump which takes off from the left foot. The difference is in the setup and the take off edge. The jump starts with a long glide on a very shallow left back outside edge. The skater reaches back with the right leg with the left shoulder across and the right shoulder back. The skater jabs the toe pick into the ice and pole vaults into the air. In theory, the take off happened on a left back outside edge as opposed to the inside edge the flip takes off from.
Axel
It was named for Axel Paulson, the 1908 Gold Medallist who invented it. The axel is the only major jump where the skater takes off while going forwards. The setup begins by gliding on a right back outside edge. The skater steps onto a left forward outside edge kicking the right leg up and through lifting into the air. Up to this point, the axel is identical to the waltz jump. After leaving the ground, the skater pulls the arms and the legs in, which forces the jump to rotate a little less than one turn. The jump itself is one and a half rotations. The first half rotation should take place while the skater is in an open position.
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What are the different spins?
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