ST. MARGARET’S BAY SKATING CLUB
CanSkate Programs 

Canskate is Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. (Must be 4 years of age at beginning of program for Canskate and 3 years at beginning of program for our 30 minute Pre-Canskate Program).

When you sign up for CanSkate, you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada skating programs, as well as preparing skaters for participation in hockey, speedskating and ringette.

Junior Group Programs:

Star Group programs are open to skaters that are Stage 4 and up.

This is a fast and progressive program that enables a skater to improve their skating and start to progress towards the NEW Star Program with a focus on figure skating skills. The Junior Advancement information on dates and times is on the Junior/Senior brochure.

Figure Skates must be worn.

General Canskate Information:

  All sessions will be held at St. Margaret’s Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd., Upper Tantallon.

  Dates and times are subject to change. All schedule changes will be posted on the SMBSC website.

  Payment may be made in the form of etransfer, cash, money order or cheque made payable to “St. Margaret’s Bay Skating Club.”

  Skate Canada membership fee ($60.00) are not included in the cost of the program. 

  No refunds after the first day of skating each term except for medical reasons. A medical certificate must be submitted, along

with a request for a refund, in writing to smbcanskate@gmail.com. Refunds will be pro-rated, and $45.00 will be deducted for

the non-refundable Skate Canada membership fee.

  A $35 fee will be charged for all cheques returned for insufficient funds. Once NSF occurs cash payment will be required for rest of the season.

  Sessions missed due to weather will only be made up if more than one session per season is missed.

  St. Margaret’s Bay Skating Club reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient enrolment. Dates are subject to change.

  Placement in programs will be at the sole discretion of the Program Director.

  In case of cancellation due to weather, a notice will be placed on the website (www.smbskating.ca) if at all possible, and the front desk of St. Margaret’s Centre (826-2100 ext 10) will be informed (after2pm). Members are responsible for ascertaining whether lessons have beencancelledbefore traveling to the rink for a scheduled session. Please check the SMBSC website and SMBSC Facebook often for updates, and provide us with updated email information, as that is our primary means of correspondence with our membership. This information will not be on the St. Margaret’s Centre website as we rent ice from St. Margaret’s Cente and the Centre does not run the Canskate program.

Equipment Required:

1. MANDATORY: A CSA-approved, hockey-type helmet, NOT a bicycle helmet. Skaters will not be permitted on the ice without a helmet. The helmet may be with or without a facemask – this is the parents’ preference.

 
2. Gloves/mittens: little hands get very cold falling and getting up again! No Chenille Mittens. They stick to the ice.  No jeans, please – they get very cold and wet and do not move well with the skater.

3. Hockey equipment, such as shin pads, elbow pads, gloves etc. are NOT recommended.

4. No hockey sticks are permitted on CanSkate sessions.

5. No parents permitted on the ice. Please avoid standing by the glass, to enhance your child’s concentration and progress.  No parents are permitted in the penalty box/players’ bench, as this is a designated first aid area.

6. Please use assigned dressing rooms to put skates on. Sitting in hallways is dangerous and disrupts the flow of traffic.

7. Plastic molded skates are not recommended.