Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all 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 in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating.

Skate Canada’s STARSkate program teaches figure skating skills in a progressive and sequential manner, in group lesson and/or private session formats. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system, and may choose participate in competitions throughout the year, after joining the Select Team program or securing the services of a Private Coach.

How STARSkate works

Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several of options.

Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, doing assessments/tests (although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to become involved in coaching, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult member.

The STARSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Freeskate and Artistic. Each area is divided into the following levels:

Skating Skills:

Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo. 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 - edge quality, control, power and speed.

• Skating Skills Assessments:
  • STAR 1 to 10 and Gold

Ice Dance:

The ice dance assessment program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.

The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters' creativity, artistry and originality.

• Dance Assessments (pattern dance assessments and element assessments): 
  • STAR 2 to Gold consists of pattern dances, dance step assessments and a Gold Rhythm Dance

    • Pattern dances are the skating of prescribed steps on patterns to music, the type and tempo for which is defined. These dances may be performed solo, shadow or with a partner.

  •  STAR 1, STAR 3b and STAR 5b are dance step element assessments
  • Diamond Dance Tests

Free Skate:

Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music. 

• Freeskate Assessments (element assessments and program assessments):
  • STAR 1 to 10 elements
  • STAR 2 to 10 and Gold programs

Artistic and Interpretive:

The objective of the Interpretive program is to encourage and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements.

• Artistic program assessments: 
  • STAR 5, 7, 9 and Gold programs

Competitions for STARSkate Athletes

STARSkate participants love to compete! Our feedback indicates that skaters want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this.

Super Series Events:

These are events involving a number of clubs in the same region or area. The competition categories offered generally fall in line with the applicable Skate Canada Section specifications, so that all clubs within Ontario are standardized (this allows Skate Canada Sections to offer a Section Final). Super Series Competitions are qualifiers for the STARSkate Provincial Championship. Most Super Series events are open to all levels but some may only be open to Star 5 and up levels.

STAR 1-4 Events:

These are events coordinated by a Section or Club(s) and offered to skaters in the levels of STAR 1-4. Most events are one day events the are held regionally & are a fun introduction to competitions.

Other Events:

Skaters are welcome to sign up for other events that they find.  Discuss with your base coach to help you prepare for the event.