The CanSkate Edition

Transcription

1 September 2015 Rideau Skating Club The CanSkate Edition Rideau Skating Club Executive President: Donna Johnston Past President: Carolyn Dupèré Vice President: Dan Gray Director: Denise Dziubaniuk Treasurer: Vick Ko Secretary: Alicia Owen CanSkate Registrar: Sandra Valenti StarSkate Registrar: Helen Weeks Test chair: Elicia Merkley/Coleen Kanna Publicity: Jocelynn Cook Special Events: Yvonne Brandreth Coaches Representative: Jan Calnan CanSkate Coordinator: Margo Guerette Staff Coaches Andrew Bestwick Jan Calnan Marie Josee Cloutier Margo Guerette Katrina Millard Vanluven Darryl Vanluven Brandi Young Looking for a private coach? Information is posted on our website. Welcome Back to the Ice!! Welcome to the season of skating at the Rideau Skating Club. Last season was one of our most successful years, with the successful installation of a new harness, hosting the region 5 interclub competitions, some amazing results from our competitive and StarSkate skaters, and the extremely impressive progress of our CanSkaters. This season is shaping up to be just as successful, and we hope that all skaters have fun on the ice and Sparkle and Shine. Donna About the Club The Rideau Skating Club consists of just over 450 members and offers CanSkate Skate Canada s flagship Learn To Skate program, StarSkate a recreational figure skating program, CompetitiveSkate a competitive skating program and AdultSkate for adults of all levels. The club s Board of Directors is composed of volunteer members who donate a considerable amount of time to ensure that the Club runs smoothly. As a result of our dedicated volunteers we have been able to maintain some of the lowest rates in Ottawa. We are always looking for volunteers, for jobs big and small, so we can continue to keep our fees low and our success rate high. Please speak to one of the Board members to find out how you can help. More information on the Club can always be found on our website on Facebook at Facebook.com/Rideau Skating Club or on You can also reach us by phone at (please leave a message) or by at rideauskating@gmail.com. You can also address questions to the coaching staff and the CanSkate Coordinator when they are not on the ice coaching sessions. The best time is immediately following a session in the of the arena. If they are unable to help you, they will direct you to someone who will be happy to answer your questions.

2 Important Dates for CanSkate CanSkate Start Date Parent Orientation (Parents may attend any of the offered sessions) Cancellation Dates Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday September 14 September 29 September 17 September 11 September 12 6:00 6:50 pm 5:00 5:50 pm 6:00 6:50 pm 6:00 6:50 pm 9:00 9:50 am Fred Barrett 10:00 10:50 am arena Oct 12, Dec 21, Dec 28, Feb 15 October 13 5:10 5:40 pm Fred Barrett arena Dec 22, Dec 29 Nov 5, Dec 24, Dec 31, Feb 4 Nov 6, Dec 25, Jan 1, Jan 29, Feb 5 Oct 9, Nov 20, Jan 15, Mar 4 September 12 9:10 9:40 am 10:10 10:40 am upstairs hall Nov 7, Nov 14, Dec 29, Feb 6, Feb 20 Oct 10, Nov 28, Jan 16, Mar 5 Assessment dates Oct 19, Nov 23, Jan 18, Feb 29 Oct 27, Dec 1, Jan 26, Mar 1 Oct 15, Nov 26, Jan 21, Mar 3 Report Card Dec 7, Mar 7 Dec 8, Mar 8 Dec 10, Mar 10 Dec 11, Mar 11 Dec 12, Mar 12 Family Skate Dec 14, Mar 14 Dec 15, Mar 15 Dec 17, Mar 17 Dec 18, Mar 18 Dec 19, Mar 19 Theme Days Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 What is CanSkate all about? What is CanSkate? CanSkate is a dynamic learn to skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. Based on Sport Canada s long term athlete development (LTAD) principles, CanSkate centers on physical literacy and the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport or to skate as a recreational activity. Who s it for? For beginners of all ages, children or adults, as well as for those wishing to improve their basic skills whether their focus be for figure skating, hockey, speed skating or just skating for fun. Who teaches it? NCCP trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants. What will you learn? A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationallytested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster. What can you expect? Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach to student ratio of a maximum 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, upbeat music and a wide variety of activities that create a motivational environment and promote learning. Badges, ribbons and other incentives are used to benchmark skaters progress and reward effort and participation. What do you need to participate? All you need are skates, a CSA approved hockey helmet, long pants, mittens, warm sweater or jacket. Dress in layers it will get warm!

3 Skate Canada Helmet Use Policy On July 1, 2011 Skate Canada implemented a Helmet Use Policy. This policy was implemented as a proactive safety measure to help protect members in the early stages of the CanSkate program that are learning how to skate. A hockey helmet should fit snugly 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 the head. Although most helmets are lined with a protective foam, some helmets will feel better than others. Try on a few different brands for fit and comfort. All CSA certified helmets have a sticker indicating their certification: If you would like more information on helmet use and injury prevention, we recommend that you visit Think first at: Safety on the Ice Helmets are required. Food, gum or drinks are not allowed on the ice during the CanSkate class. Parents are not allowed on the ice. No one is allowed on the ice in shoes or boots. If your skater is injured, all of the club's coaches are trained in First Aid and will do everything to ensure your child's safety and will bring your child to you as soon as safely possible. Parents must remain at the rink while their skater is in class. No pushing, shoving, horseplay or rough housing on the ice. What to Wear The arenas are cold, the ice is cold and wet so skaters should dress warmly for their class. Ensure that the snow suit or winter wear clothing fits. Clothing that is too big or too tight inhibits mobility and causes frustration for the skater. Pants that are too long can actually be dangerous and cause tripping. Rather than wear a big heavy coat, a lighter coat with a layer or two of sweaters underneath is better. Natural fabrics absorb moisture and keep a body warmer than most synthetics. Wools are usually the best. Dry fit material is the next choice as it wicks away the moisture from the body. Articles of clothing with long drawstring, long scarves, and dangling coat belts can be a hazard on the ice and should be avoided if possible. Mittens are recommended over gloves to keep skaters hands warm. Hockey gloves are not recommended. Plastic elbow pads and knee pads are not recommended they interfere with the mobility of the skater to the point where it is difficult for them to get up off the ice. If a skater wants to wear elbow pads and knee pads, place them underneath their warm clothing. If hats are being worn under the helmet, please ensure the hat is tight fitting. A loose fitting hat creates a poor helmet fit and can wiggle down to cover the skater s eyes.

4 Skate Fitting Skaters who attend our sessions will have more fun and advance faster if they are properly and safely equipped. This means making sure that: Skates fit comfortably. Avoid buying a larger size skate in anticipation that the skater will "grow into it" poor fitting equipment will cause discomfort, discouragement, poor results and possible injury. Ensure there is room for toes to wiggle slightly. Check that heels do not lift inside the skate more than ¼ inch. Check that a pen can fit in the top of the boot (at the back) when done up. Excess laces are tucked or tied up so that they do not hang loose and drag on the ice. Do not wrap skate laces around the ankle. Cut the laces to fit. Molded plastic skates should be avoided as should the 'speed skate' style blade. Plastic skates are inflexible and make it difficult for skaters to bend their knees/ankles and push off. Plastic becomes very cold and stiff on the ice, and makes the skater s feet cold. The 'speed skate' style blade is the wrong shape and balance point for our program. Poorly Equipped Skater Skate Purchasing and Sharpening For the purchasing and sharpening of skates we recommend the following suppliers: b sharp Ottawa 3 Chartwell Ave., Unit 2, Ottawa (613) Figure 8 and Hockey One 380 Industrial Ave., Ottawa (613) Vince Derochie 4780 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs (613) If you are comfortable with fitting your skater yourself, you can try Canadian Tire or Play It Again Sports. Skate Care Skates are the most important piece of equipment for a skater. Skates that are well cared for will make skating more enjoyable. Sharpen skates as soon as they are purchased, whether second hand or brand new. Use a good skate sharpening company. Re sharpen the skates after approximately 30 hours of skating or after skating on an outdoor rink. For figure skates, and recreational figure skates, do not remove the bottom toe pick. The pick is part of the design of figure skates and is essential to proper balance, not just for jumps Always wear protective guards when not on the ice, even if there is rubber matting, it still dulls the blades; Loosen skates sufficiently before removing them so the back of the boot will not break down nor the tongue rip; Dry blades and sole plate completely with an absorbent cloth after each use; Do not put rubber or plastic guards on skates that aren't on feet. You can get cloth blade protectors. Air out boots after each use to prolong the life of the boot. Properly Equipped Skater

5 The First Night of Skating What to Expect! 1) Name Tag When you enter the arena, there will be a table by the door to the rink. Here you will find a name tag with your child s name and a sticker indicating which group they are in. Someone, the CanSkate Coordinator or a Board member will be at the table to help. 2) Get Dressed Get your child ready to go out on the ice snow pants and jacket, mittens, helmet on, and skates tied properly. 3) Group Meeting with the Coach and Getting On the Ice Prior to going out into the rink area, the coach of each group will meet and greet the skaters and the parents in the. After introductions, the coach and a Program Assistant (PA) will take the skaters out to the ice. (*see note for After the First Week) 4) Watch the Session Parents are to remain in the arena at all times during the lesson. Please sit in the stands to watch the lessons or stay warmer by watching through the windows in the. We ask that parents do not stand along the boards to watch. Young skaters are easily distracted by mommy and daddy on the boards. 5) What the Class Will Look Like The skating class consists of an 8 minute group warm up. This is followed by 3 10 minute lessons with 3 different coaches. The skaters move from area to area to area on the ice with assistance from the coach and a PA. The lessons are followed by a group activity and finally a group cool down. (**see note for Pre CanSkate) 6) Skaters Leave the Ice As the skaters leave the ice, their name tags are removed by the PAs and kept at the club until the next lesson. Parents may come to the boards to collect their child as they get off the ice. 7) Get undressed It s time to remove the snow pants, jacket, mitts, helmet, and skates. Skating lessons are over until next week. 8) Talk to the Coaches or Board Members Parents and skaters are encouraged to talk to the coaches and/or the Board members. Please ask your questions. We will do our very best to answer them. *Note for After the First Week After the first week, parents may take their skaters to the door of the rink to get on the ice. **Note for Pre CanSkaters For the first 5 6 weeks, the pre CanSkaters, will stay with their own coach and will not move from area to area to area. Also, they will have a separate warm up, group activity and cool down. Once they are mobile, the travelling will begin and they will start to participate in the large group activities.