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.
Is guest skating available?
You are invited to guest skate with Goulbourn Skating club during our regular season (Fall/Winter) STARSkate Sessions when there is space available. There is no guest skating on Spring and Summer sessions because these sessions are sold individually; as long as you meet the qualification requirements and there is space available, you may simply register for these sessions.
Club Programming and Registration
When (during which months) does each skating period run?
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; and we partner with 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?
Our 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, at both the Richmond Memorial Arena and the Cardel Recreation Complex.
What are the start dates for my skater's program?
All start and end dates are posted on the schedule page of our website along with exception dates (when we have no skating due to holidays, tournaments, or other schedule interruptions) and special dates (such as STARSkate Performance Ice, Assessment Days, and CanSkate Fun Days).
Can I register multiple children of different ages on the same session?
Sessions are designed to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. You could have a 3-year-old beginner skater in a beginner group and an 8-year-old skater in a more advanced group on the same session. 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 issued.
How do I know if a session has been cancelled?
Regular session exception dates/cancellations are noted on the club website on the program schedule well in advance to the start of our programming year. Programs are priced based on these anticipated exception dates. In the event of unplanned cancellations, members can expect to see communications on social media and/or by email as soon as possible.
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?
Skater evaluations are ongoing during each and every CanSkate session based on Skate Canada CanSkate requirements. Skaters at Goulbourn Skating Club will receive a Progress Report at the end of the season and move on to subsequent levels based on this report.
When do we receive progress report and badges for CanSkate?
Your child will receive a progress report at the end of the season. Badges and ribbons 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 they do?
Both our STARSkate (figure skating) and our PowerSkate (power skating) programs are options for a skaters to expand their skating skills. Review our program descriptions or contact the club for more information.
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 our 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. Please reach out to a STARSkate coach directly via the contact information noted on their biography.
How can my child enter the competitive stream of figure skating?
Your child must pass his or her respective assessment 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.
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, and The Canadian Proshop, located in Katie Xu & Jack Fan Arena (formerly Rink 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 the skates will be ready for pickup the next morning.)
Competitions and Assessments
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 for which they qualify. Special Olympians are permitted to participate only in competitions with the Special Olympic designation.
Who decides when my skater is ready for Skate Canada assessment testing?
This decision is made by your child's coach. Coaches will only recommend skaters for assessments if they believe that the skater has mastered the required skills.
What should my child wear for an assessment day?
Skaters should look neat and tidy for assessments. Girls usually choose to wear a skating dress for Dance and Freeskate assessments, but might wear warmer close-fitting pants and jacket for Skills assessments. Long hair should be tied back. Assessment attire is not as "fancy" as competition attire.
How long does it take to get assessment results?
Assessment results and the evaluator's written feedback will be given to the skater's coach within about 30 minutes of the assessment.
What happens if my child does not pass the assessment?
It can be discouraging for skaters to see an evaluator's recommendation to "retry" an assessment, but this is not an unusual occurrence. The coach will review the evaluator's comments with the skater, and then work on preparing for the next assessment 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?
We would like to put on an end-of-the-season Ice Show to showcase our figure skaters’ talents. An Ice Show Committee made up of parent volunteers has been created to organize the next Ice Show for March 30, 2025. Please contact our STARSkate Director with any Ice Show questions.
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. PA responsibilities 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, and ensuring all CanSkaters get on and off the ice safely. Most PAs are skaters themselves and are familiar with the program. PAs are required to participate in a training session prior to helping in CanSkate. PAs are not coaches and should not be approached with questions pertaining to your child's progress or Canskate programming. We ask that you please direct your questions to the coaches themselves. If you have a skater who would like to volunteer as a PA with our club, please contact the club.
I would like to offer my volunteer services with Goulbourn Skating Club, how do I go about doing this?
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 volunteer.