FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to All Your Inquiries

WHY DO YOU FOLLOW THE SKATE CANADA PROGRAM?

We offer a wide range of programs to help every skater reach their goals.  All of our programs are Skate Canada sanctioned programs.  Skate Canada is a National organization that has been teaching Canadians to skate since 1887. 

Our CanSkate program is designed for all skaters no matter what skating path they choose, whether it is hockey, figure skating or recreational.   This is a nationally designed and structured program with professionally trained coaches to help bring out the best in your skater.  

StarSkate is for those who wish to further their figure skating skills and advance into testing, competitions and other more exciting opportunities.  

We also offer a SynchroSkate program which allows the skaters to work together as a team to create programs.  This is for any skater who has reached CanSkate Level 4 or higher and wants to pursue more figure skating.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO THE COACHES HAVE?

All of our coaches are certified through Skate Canada and have current First Aid training, ethical and respect in sport training as well as background checks. 

On top of that our coaches are required to continually upgrade their education every year before they are allowed to register as a coach for the season.    

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN PRE-CANSKATE OR CANSKATE?

In order to have the best experience on the ice your skater needs the proper equipment.

CanSkate

All skaters MUST have a CSA certified Hockey Helmet.  They will not be allowed on the ice without one.  This is a Skate Canada rule that is mandatory in all clubs across Canada.  

Skates are very important for your beginning skaters as well.  It may be tempting to put your skater in a cartoon themed plastic skate, but they get very hard and very cold fast!  We recommend a good quality new or used lace up skate. Canadian Tire in Saskatoon has a good selection of new hockey and figure skates for the beginner and The Skate Exchange in Saskatoon offers a large selection of used skates. 

StarSkate

StarSkaters need a higher quality figure skate which are available used at the Skate Exchange and new at Bike Universe in Saskatoon.  Please ask your coach for information on levels that you need.

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Power Skating

Full hockey/ringette gear (including helmet), stick and hockey skates. 

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WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A HELMET?

The requirement to wear a helmet is a Skate Canada Policy and all clubs and members must abide by our policies. Therefore, in order to participate in the CanSkate program all skaters who have not achieved Stage 5 in the CanSkate program or who lack good balance and control must wear a CSA-Approved hockey helmet while on the ice.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRE-CANSKATE AND CANSKATE?

Pre-CanSkate has been designed for skaters who are not quite ready for the CanSkate Program. It works on basic balance and movements on the ice with limited speed.  We incorporate more games and props to make learning how to skate FUN! Not all skaters will start in this program; If your child has some experience or moves well naturally on the ice, they will be evaluated under the CanSkate Program.   Our sessions can have a mixture of groups with some working on Pre-CanSkate and some working on CanSkate.

Skaters are grouped on the ice based on their skating level as well as their age.  Each group will have one CanSkate Coach and there may be additional help from our trained Program Assistants (PAs). 

HOW DO THE COACHES KNOW MY CHILD'S SKATING LEVEL?

f your child has joined an Outlook Skate program in the past, their assessments will be tracked in our database.  Each session coach will have a list of the skaters prior assessments to make the on-ice groups.  If your child is new with Outlook Skate, the coach will group them by age and then will move them into the appropriate group on the ice if changes need to be made.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO THE COACHES HAVE?

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ARE PARENTS ALLOWED ON THE ICE?

Parents are not allowed on the ice for our sessions for insurance reasons.

CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SELECTING A HELMET FOR MY SKATER?

A hockey helmet should fit snug to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Make sure the chinstrap can be adjusted so it gently makes contact under the chin when fastened.
For an adjustable helmet, open it to the largest setting and gradually begin to downsize the helmet until a comfortably snug fit is achieved. The helmet should rest on the head so that the rim is one finger width above the eyebrow and making contact with the top of your head.
Although most helmets are lined with protective foam, some helmets will feel better than others. Try on different brands of helmets for fit and comfort.All CSA-Approved Helmets have a sticker indicating their certification.