Program Information

CanPowerSkate is the only nationally regulated power skating program in Canada. It was developed by a team of hockey, figure skating and ringette experts to teach the fundamentals of power skating in a progressive and sequential manner. The CanPowerSkate program stresses balance, power, agility, speed and endurance skills, all of which are especially important for hockey and ringette players. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those hockey and ringette athletes or other skaters wanting to improve their speed and power. Its unique skill award program, with a bronze, silver and gold awards at 6 different progressive levels, provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve.

Coaches trained and certified through CanPowerSkate coach courses deliver the Club’s CanPowerSkate programs. There are different sessions available according to the age and level of the skater, and the GSC offers both CanPower and PrePower as part of its CanPowerSkate program.

CanPower

CanPower is geared to skaters aged approximately six or older who already have basic forward and backward skating skills (they must be able to skate the length of the rink using alternate strides) and are able to stop on command without use of the boards. The GSC requires registering CanPower skaters to have played 1 year of hockey or equivalent. For safety reasons, participants should wear full hockey/ringette equipment that is CSA approved. Drills with hockey sticks and ringette sticks are also used in CanPower sessions.

PrePower

PrePower is designed for young skaters, approximately four to six years of age, or older beginner skaters, who can stand up on skates and move forward (glide and stride) who are not ready for CanPowerSkate Level 1. PrePower helps develop basic skating abilities in a power skating-specific environment, including balance skills, forward and backward skating, stopping, turning and agility skills. The curriculum is presented in three progressive levels complete with its own awards to encourage participation and motivate skaters. PrePower has been designed to run concurrently with CanSkate sessions, or it may be offered on its own session, if registration numbers permit.

Award Levels

The GSC CanPowerSkate Coordinator administers the CanPowerSkate program, registration and badges. The CanPowerSkate program consists of skills divided into six levels, arranged in progressions increasing in complexity. Levels 1 to 3 focus on the fundamentals of skating, and Levels 4 to 6 place additional focus on the acquisition of efficient technique, speed, agility, technical aspects of stride and acceleration and skating with the puck/ring. Skaters are evaluated on skill level and are timed as they perform a test involving skills in a course-like pattern. The skater receives a mark combining his/her skill performance plus test time. This determines whether the skater receives a Bronze, Silver or Gold award bar for that level.

CanPowerSkate members and parents must conform to the Rules and Responsibilities of the Goulbourn Skating Club on the ice, in the dressing rooms, and in the arena. The Club does not supervise dressing rooms or off-ice areas of the arena.