S kills, T ests, A chievement, R ecognition – this is what STARSkate is all about!
STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating.
StarSkate develops the four primary figure skating elements: Skating Skills, Freeskate, Dance and Interpretive.
Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing.
The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating - edge quality, control, power and speed.
Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.
Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters' creativity, artistry and originality.
The objective of the interpretive program is to encourage and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements. The Interpretive tests consist of skating to and interpreting a piece of music 2.0 to 3.0 minutes in length. Skaters can take interpretive tests as individuals and/or as a couple
Intermediate / Senior B
The Intermediate program is a transitional stage that serves as a bridge from CanSkate to the Skate Canada test program (STARSkate). Skaters must have completed Stage 5 in the CanSkate program to progress to the Intermediate level. It is taught in a group lesson and optional private or semiprivate lesson format. The skaters are introduced to the three primary elements: Freeskate, Dance and Skating Skills. Independent work skills are introduced at this level. Skaters must have completed Stage 7 in the CanSkate program to progress to the Junior 1 competitive level. More information on expectations for Intermediate skaters is provided in the following doc- click HERE
Upon completion of the Primary test level in Dance and Skating Skills, the skaters advance to the Senior B session, continuing the Skate Canada STARSkate program. There are a number of invitational competitions available to the skater at this level. Instruction is entirely on a private or semi-private lesson format based on a contractual agreement between the skater’s parents and the professional coach.
Senior A Program
The Senior program is for the more advanced test and competitive skater. Once again the instruction is on a contractual basis between parent and professional coach. At this level the skaters should have an inner desire to skate resulting in independent work habits.
StarSkate Tests
As each skater improves he or she will become ready for different tests that are held on special Test Days. If your name is submitted for a test you will be expected to meet a certain dress standard (e.g., no jeans) and there is an additional cost. The tests are judged by volunteer (but qualified) evaluators. In most cases, a single evaluator assesses the tests, using a scale of “Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Excellent”. Each test has its own specifications as to what must be performed at a Satisfactory or better level in order to pass the test. Tests are held periodically throughout the year in our Club, as well as in other Clubs in the region. Every Club in our Section holds test days, so if a skater is unable to test during our scheduled test days he or she may travel elsewhere to be tested, with Club approval (at their own expense).
Primary Level Tests:
· Skating Skills: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Free Skate: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Interpretive: Introductory
Intermediate Level Tests
· Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
· Free Skate: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
· Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Creative Dance at various levels
· Interpretive: Bronze
Senior Level Tests
· Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold
· Free Skate: Senior Silver, Gold
· Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond; Creative Dance at various levels
· Interpretive: Silver, Gold
StarSkate Competitions
The STARSkate program also offers skaters the opportunity to compete. The most familiar of these competitions is the Region 6 Interclub, in which only skaters from the 7 Clubs in our Region compete. In 2011/12 year, the Petawawa Skating Club will be hosting the Region 6 Interclub in 2012 February. This competition is a fun, non-threatening environment in which our kids can compete.
Throughout the year, there are also many competitions hosted by different clubs in our section. For further information about competitions, please contact the PSC Competitions representative. A list of competitions in Eastern Ontario is included on the Skate Canada EOS website (www.skate-eos.on.ca).