Programs

CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasizes how the skills apply to game situations. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those athletes playing on hockey or ringette teams. Its unique skill award program provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve.

CanPowerSkate is geared to skaters aged approximately 6 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. For safety reasons participants should wear full hockey/ringette equipment that is CSA approved. The coach to skater ratio is 1:8.

POWER 1: Concentrates on perfecting basic skills -- forward and backwards strides, stops, forward crossovers, and power turns. Geared to ages 5, 6 and 7*.

POWER 2: Professional instruction featuring a combination of technique and conditioning. Introduces backward stops, backward crossovers, conditioning and power. Geared to ages 8, 9 and 10*.

POWER 3: Professional instruction featuring a combination of technique and conditioning. Introduces crossovers and running starts, lateral movement, conditioning and power. Fine-tuning of all skills. Geared to ages 11 and 12*.

POWER 4: Professional instruction featuring a combination of technique and conditioning. Introduces crossovers and running starts, lateral movement, conditioning and power. Fine tuning of all skills, at a faster pace. Geared ages 13, 14 and 15*.

POWER 5: Professional instruction featuring a combination of techniques and conditioning. Stresses technique of skills, conditioning and power. Fine tuning of all skills at a faster pace. Geared to Elite (playing AA or AAA) ages 13, 14 and 15*.

*Note: Age eligibilities: For Spring 2012 program ages are as of April 1, 2012. For Summer 2012 programs ages are as of June 2012. For Pre-season 2012 programs ages are as of September 1, 2012. For Fall 2012 programs ages are as of October 1, 2012. For Winter 2013 programs ages are as of January 1, 2013. All sessions are based on availability and skaters are grouped by ability. The head instructor has the right to move a player to a different level

CanPowerSkate's Pre-Power is designed for young skaters, approximately 4 to 5 years of age who can stand up on skates and move forward (shuffle, walk or glide), but are not yet ready for CanPowerSkate Level 1. Skaters must have already participated in a learn-to-skate program. Pre-Power helps develop basic skating abilities in a power skating-specific environment, including balance skills, forward and backward skating, stopping, turning and agility skills.

The Major Midget/Junior/OHL session will be open only to players who have been drafted by a CHL team, or players that will be pursuing a Junior team for the upcoming season. This program is typically offered in the summer.