Frequently Asked Questions

General

When does each skating season 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 more than one rink?
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 and end 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). You can also look at your skater's personal calendar on their profile, which will show exactly what days and times they are registered to skate.
can i register multiple children of different ages on the same session?
Most CanSkate sessions are designed to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. You could have a 5-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. Children under 5 years of age, however, should be enrolled in Pre-CanSkate.
if a session is cancelled after registration has closed, will i be reimbursed?
Yes. If a suitable alternative is not provided by the Club a refund will be issued.
how are session cancellations communicated?
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. Your member profile will show what days your skater is scheduled to skate, with nothing scheduled on Statutory Holidays and other exception days. In the event of unplanned cancellations, members can expect to see communications on social media and/or by email as soon as possible.

CanSkate

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 sessions?
Most CanSkate sessions are 50 minutes in length. Pre-CanSkate has a shorter running time of 30 minutes.
what is the format of a typical session?
CanSkate sessions consist of 10 minutes of warm up, 10-15 minutes of group lesson time, 10-15 minutes of Fun zone time, and 10 minutes of cool down.
how do skaters progress through the stages?
Skaters progress through the program by learning balance, control, and agility skills in six stages. They are assessed and placed in groups based on their experience, and coaches continuously reassess them, allowing for movement to higher levels as they progress.
when are badges awarded and progress reports shared?
Skater evaluations are ongoing during each and every CanSkate session based on Skate Canada CanSkate requirements. Skaters earn badges and ribbons for passing each stage and a Progress Report is issued at the end of the season.
what comes next after canskate?
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.
what should my skater wear?
CanSkaters should wear warm mitts, winter jackets or fleece sweaters, and splash pants or snow pants (for the little ones) are recommended. All CanSkaters who have not yet attained Stage 5 must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet. For older skaters, yoga pants and/or skating dresses are also allowed. Skates should be sharpened at the beginning of the season and after every 30 hours of use. It is a good idea to wipe the blades clean after every skate and to air-dry skates before storing them to avoid rusting.

STARSkate

How do I hire a coach?
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 capable of meeting your specific needs. Please reach out to a STARSkate Coach directly via the contact information noted on their biography.
where can we purchase skates or skating costumes?
There are several reliable retail sources for purchasing skates and skating costumes. It is a good idea to ask your coach and other parents for suggestions. One local option is: Figure 8 Boutique, 380 Industrial Avenue, 613-731-4007.
where should we get skates sharpened?
Skates should be sharpened at the beginning of the season and after every 30 hours of use. Local options include: 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. It is a good idea to ask your coach or other parents for their recommendations. Please ensure blades are wiped clean after every skate to keep the blades from getting dull and air-dry skates before storing them to avoid rusting.
what competitions are available?
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. ​
​what assessments should i register for?
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 skater wear on assessment days?
Skaters should look neat and tidy for assessments. Girls typically choose to wear a dance dress (which has a longer skirt) for Dance assessments and their competition dress (which has a shorter skirt) for Freeskate assessments. For Skills assessments, black leggings and a club jacket are sufficient. Long hair should be tied back and kept off the face.
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 if my skater does not pass their 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.
is guest skating available?
You are invited to "drop-in" 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.