Frequently Asked Questions
General
During CanSkate sessions, are parents/guardians allowed to stand by the boards while their child participates?
We require all spectators to sit in the arena stands, and not stand at the boards for the safety of all participants.
What are guest skate rules and fees?
The Goulbourn Skating club invites you to guest skate with our club during our Starskate Sessions throughout the skating year. All we ask is that you please review our Guest Skate Policy, Procedures and Fee schedule and follow our guest skate registration procedure outlined here (click here to view our Guest Skate Page).
Club Programming and Registration
Could you outline when (during which months) each skating period runs?
We have four different skating periods during each skating year; Fall runs during the month of September; Winter runs from October until March; Spring runs during the month of April. we partner with the March Kanata Skating Club to offer summer skating from May to August.
Why are sessions scheduled out of 2 rinks, rather than at one rink, within the same club?
The Goulbourn Skating Club provides skating services for the entire region of Goulbourn, which is quite a sizeable area. With this in mind, we try to host our Skate Canada Programming in locations that are convenient to everyone in the region. Thus we offer programming out of the Richmond Memorial Arena, and the CardelRec Recreation Complex.
What are the start dates for my skater's program?
All start dates are outlined in the registration section of the website.
Can I register multiple children of different ages on the same session?
The sessions are designed to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. Skaters are grouped based on their age and their abilities. You could have a three year old beginner skater in a beginner group and an 8 year old skater in a more advanced group. Both can register for the same time slot.
If a session is cancelled after registration is closed, do we get a credit or reimbursement?
Yes. If a suitable alternative is not provided by the Club a refund will be given to the registrant.
How do I know if a session has been cancelled?
Session cancellations are noted on the Goulbourn Skating Club website on the Calendar well in advance to the start of our programming year. Our programs are priced based on these cancellations.
Can you explain the various skating levels as they differ from club to club?
Skate Canada programming levels and qualifications are standardized and will not differ between clubs. While individual clubs may adopt various names for skating sessions dependent upon their preferences, the qualifications will always remain faithful to those outlined by Skate Canada. In terms of skater level designation, most clubs do this on a yearly basis and always in line with the Skate Canada qualification outlines.
During a CanSkate session, what is the coach-to-skater ratio?
We maintain a 1 coach per 10 skater ratio in accordance with Skate Canada requirements.
How long are the CanSkate sessions?
Most Canskate sessions are 40 or 50 minutes in length. The session begins with a warm-up followed by lesson & play time then a cool-down.
What is the format of a typical CanSkate session?
The CanSkate sessions consist of a 10 minutes of warm up, 15 minutes of group lesson time, 15 minutes of Fun zone time and 10 minutes of cool down.
How does my child move from one level to another in CanSkate?
Skaters are evaluated ongoing during each and every CanSkate session and are graded on the Skate Canada CanSkate requirements. Skaters at Goulbourn will receive a "Report Card" at the mid-point and end of the Winter Programming. The Report Card will provide a detail evaluation of each skater and the progress made to date. Skaters will move upwards to subsequent levels based on this process.
When do we receive progress report and badges for CanSkate?
Your child will receive progress reports twice a year, once at Christmas and once at the end of the season, during the Winter Season only. Badges and ribbons, on the other hand, will be evaluated during every CanSkate session and will be given out as they are earned.
My child wants to pursue skating past the CanSkate program, what can he/she do?
Both our StarSkate (figure skating) and our CanPowerSkate (power skating) programs are options for a skater looking to expand their skating skills. To review our program information (click here) or to contact the club for more information (click here).
How do I choose a coach for my child’s skating needs?
Choosing the right coach for you skater is an important step in ensuring your child’s experience is the very best it can be. All of coaches are NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) certified and have gone through extensive training both as skaters and through educational courses and they are all highly qualified and are capable of meeting your very specific needs. To visit our coaches’ page on the website and view biographies for each of our available coaches, please (click here). If you wish to contact a coach directly, and their contact information is not currently noted on their biography, please send and email to goulbournscinfo@gmail.com and your request will be forwarded to that coach immediately.
How can my child enter the competitive stream of figure skating?
Your child must pass his or her respective test at the competitive level: pre-juvenile, juvenile, pre-novice, novice, junior or senior. Some competitive levels have restrictions on ages. For more information please feel free to speak a coach directly or contact the club through our Contact page (here).
Equipment and Clothing
What type of helmet does my child need to wear?
All Skate Canada member clubs and skating schools who offer a CanSkate and Primary program must ensure all CanSkate and Adult CanSkate participants up to and including Stage 5 must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet while on the ice. There will be no exception to the policy.
What type of clothing should my child wear?
Your child should wear comfortable clothing. CanSkaters should wear warm mitts, winter jackets or fleece sweaters, splash pants or snow pants (for the little ones) are recommended. All CanSkate, Adult CanSkate and Primary skaters, who have not yet attained Stage 5, must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet (please see question 1 for further details). For older skaters, yoga pants and/or skating dresses are also allowed.
How often should I have my child's skates sharpened?
Skates should be sharpened at the beginning of the season and after every 30 hours of use. Please ensure your skater wipes their blades clean after every skate to keep the blades from getting dull. It is also suggested you dry your skate blades before storing them to avoid rusting.
Where can I purchase skates or skating costumes?
There are several reliable retail sources for purchasing skates and skating costumes. Currently, coaches recommend: b-sharp Ottawa, 4235 Strandherd Drive, 613-825-9110, or Figure 8 Boutique ~ 380 Industrial Avenue, 613-731-4007
Where can I have my skates sharpened?
There are several reliable sources where you can have your skates sharpened. Currently, coaches recommend: b-sharp Ottawa ~ 4235 Strandherd Drive, 613-825-9110, Figure 8 ~ 380 Industrial Avenue, 613-731-4007, The Canadian Proshop ~ located in Arena A in the CRC (Skates should be left for Jason, the owner to sharpen. If he is not there, ask the person working to contact Jason and he will step in and the skates will be ready for pickup the next morning) or A&B Sports~ KRC Basement
Competitions and Test Days
What competitions are available to my child through this club?
Goulbourn Skating Club is a registered Skate Canada Club and as such, all Skaters are registered with Skate Canada as Members. With the exception of our Special Olympic skaters, all registered Skate Canada Members may register for any Skate Canada sanctioned competition they qualify for. Special Olympians are permitted to participate in only in competitions with the Special Olympic designation. Here is this year's Competition Schedule.
Who decides when my skater is ready for Skate Canada testing?
This decision is made by your child's coach. Coaches will only recommend skaters for testing if they believe that the skater has mastered the required skills.
What should my child wear for a test day?
Most importantly, skaters should look neat and tidy for testing. Girls will usually choose to wear a skating dress for dance and free-skate tests, but might wear warmer close-fitting pants and jacket for a skills test. Long hair should be tied back. Test day attire is not as "fancy" as competition dress.
How long does it take to get test results?
The test results and the evaluator's written feedback will be given to the skater's coach within about 30 minutes of the test.
What happens if my child does not pass the test?
It can be discouraging for skaters to see an evaluator's recommendation to "retry" a test, but it is not an unusual occurrence. The coach will review the evaluator's comments with the skater, and then work on preparing for the next test day
Club Events and Volunteering
Is there an Ice Show or event that my child can participate in with his/her peers to showcase their achievements to family and friends?
The Goulbourn Skating club hosts a bi-annual Ice Show during which all skaters are welcome and encouraged to participate and showcase their talents and skills for family and friends. This is event is held at the end of every other skating year.
What are Program Assistants and how can my child become involved?
Program Assistants (PAs), are skating volunteers, who work with the coaches to provide guidance for our CanSkaters on the ice during their CanSkate sessions. During this time, their responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) setting up/taking down the equipment before and after each CanSkate session, assisting young CanSkaters who need extra help in following instructions / programming and ensure all CanSkaters get on and off the ice safely. Most of the PAs are skaters themselves and are familiar with the program having participated in it when they were younger. PAs are required to participate in a two hour on and off ice training session prior to helping the CanSkaters. The PAs are not coaches and should not be approached with questions pertaining to your child's progression or Canskate programming. Instead, we ask that you please direct all of your questions to the coaches themselves. If you have a skater who would like to volunteer as a Program Assistant with our club, please send an email to goulbournscinfo@gmail.com.
I would like to offer my volunteer services with the Goulbourn Skating Club, how do I go about doing this?
The Goulbourn Skating Club is wholly dependent upon the generosity of its volunteers to make each year a success. We welcome anyone who would like to assist in this task and encourage you to (click here). It is there where you can view our areas of need and sign up online wherever is convenient for you. You can also send an email directly to goulbournscpresident@gmail.com for further inquiries.