Crystal Ridge Skating Programs CanSKATE: This is a learn to skate program through participation and fun. The basic program prepares young skaters for any future activities such as recreational skating, figure skating, or hockey. The focus on learning the basics, which include; balance and posture, forwards and backwards skating, stopping, turning, use of edges, basic jumps, spins, crosscuts, and fitness. Skaters earn badges as they master skills. Instruction is by Certified Skate Canada Coaches and Certified CanSKATE program assistants. It is not necessary to complete the CanSKATE program to begin private lessons or enter StarSKATE program. Please ask our coaches or board members for more information. StarSKATE: offers opportunities to develop figure skating in four different areas. Freeskate Sessions: Freeskating consists of programs or solos to music, utilizing jumps, spins, field movements and stroking. Skater is required to take lessons from a Professional Coach to test through the levels. Levels are Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver, and Gold. Skills Sessions: combination of fundamental skating movements executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. Skills objective is to master the basic fundamentals of skating - edge quality, control, power and speed. Dance Sessions: Ice Dancing is essentially ballroom dancing on ice. Teaches the skater timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. Interpretive Skating: objective 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 the technical elements.