Skating Programs

Minto does not currently have a synchro skating team but is offering a session once a week for adult and higher level synchro skaters. Sign up for 60 minutes of Darryl Van Luven putting synchro skaters through edges and turns practice followed by 20 minutes of free ice.

Synchronized Skating

Synchronized skating, or “synchro” is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and maneuvers. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow. Skate Canada’s SynchroSkate program includes a number of Synchronized Skating categories which accommodate skaters at any age and skill level.

Synchronized skating has grown in popularity around the world and Canada is considered a world-leader in this discipline. In 2000 the first ever World Synchronized Skating Championships were hosted in the United States. Canada’s black ice captured a silver medal at the inaugural event. In 2003, Skate Canada was proud to host the World Synchronized Skating Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. Then in 2009, Nexxice brought home Canada’s first gold medal in the discipline of Synchronized Skating from the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

In Canada there is one event stream of Synchronized Skating and teams may register for the season in the following levels:

• Beginner I
• Beginner II
• Elementary
• Juvenile
• Pre-Novice
• Novice
• Intermediate
• Open
• Junior
• Senior
• Adult I
• Adult II
• Adult III

Specific technical requirements have been determined for each level based on skill development and age restrictions. There are no test prerequisites to participate on any level of Synchro team.

Regional Synchronized Skating Championships

The Regional Synchronized Skating Championships are held annually in five regions across the country. Each Region is made up of Sections specific to their geographical location. The Mountain Region includes British Columbia/Yukon and Alberta/NWT/Nunavut Sections. The Prairie Region consists of the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Sections. The Ontario Region is made up of the Northern Ontario, Western Ontario, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario Sections. The Quebec Region is comprised of the Quebec Section and the Atlantic Region includes the New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador Sections. There is no qualification process to enter the Regional Synchronized Skating events, however, a qualification round may be held if the number of entries warrants it. Regional events are held in late January to early February of each year.

The Regional events provide a developmental and competitive experience for synchronized skating teams at all levels. The final result in each Region shall determine the teams eligible to enter the equivalent National qualifying competition at the Novice, Intermediate, Open, Junior and Senior levels.

Each Region is eligible to enter one team into each category at the Championship event. For every 15,000 registered associate members in the Sections included in the Region, an additional team may be entered into each category at the Championship event. The number of sustaining members shall be determined by the membership year September 1 to August 31 of the year preceding the qualifying event. Also, teams placing in the top five at the Synchronized National event will grant their Region an additional entry (or entries) into the respective Canadian qualifying round the following year.

Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

Teams at the Novice, Intermediate, Open, Junior and Senior levels compete annually at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. National Champions for this discipline of skater are declared at these Championships for all levels involved.

It is at these Championships that Senior teams are selected to represent Canada at the World Synchronized Skating Championships and various other international events. Also, following this national event, the Synchronized Skating National Team is selected.

The Junior teams for World Challenge Cup are selected earlier in the season at Winterfest, hosted by the Central Ontario Section. Also, following this event, the Junior National team is selected.

Adult Synchronized Skating

Skate Canada’s SynchroSkate program offers adult skaters the opportunity to participate in the discipline as well. With three adult categories, skaters of all skill levels and experience may join a team and compete at various club, interclub, invitational and regional competitions.

Since the discipline of Synchronized Skating is included in the Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships, adult teams also have the opportunity to compete at the national level at this invitational event.

Copyright © Skate Canada 2015

What is the NextSTAR Program?

The Minto Skating Club has developed the NextSTAR program to introduce young skaters from CanSkate (Learn to Skate) to the STARskate program. Sessions consist of three group lessons focusing of sport specific skills linked to the Skate Canada Star 1 tests. To help young athletes become the best that they can be, this program includes dry land training to help develop agility, coordination, balance, speed, flexibility, etc.

Program Objective

• To create a fun and active learning environment that engages skaters’ interest and challenges athletic and personal development appropriate to this particular stage
• To develop and consolidate basic sport specific skills while continuing to develop motor skills (agility, balance, coordination, rhythm, time/space orientation, speed, dexterity) and control of movement
• To acquire and demonstrate a good understanding of the mechanics of jumping and spinning
• To develop some understanding of artistic training, under the umbrella of technical training. Artistic knowledge is relative to the technical proficiency and age of skaters
• To introduce conditioning, off-ice technical jumping skills and fundamental mental skills including concentration, self-motivation, visualization, relaxation, positive self-talk and goal setting
• To develop self-confidence, focus and positive attitude
• To instill a love of figure skating.

How Young Skaters enter the program

Identified

• Evaluated on the 3Ps.
  (Power, Posture, and Passion)

What does the NextSTAR program Offer

• Three, 15 min group lessons
• Progress report at the end of season
• Parent info sessions
• Fun group atmosphere
• Off- ice training

Program Requirements

• Continue with one CanSkate session per- week
• Participate in the Off-Ice program
• Continue wearing a CSA approved hockey helmet (for stage 5 and below)
• Wear figure skates

Summer Figure Skating camp is available for individual days or full weeks starting July 6th and ending July 31st. No camp on July 23rd or 24th.

Minto Summer Figure Skating Camp provides campers with a full day of activities that include:

• skating
• physical conditioning,
• seminars,
• swimming,
• crafts,
• and outdoor time (weather permitting).

While figure skating is primarily an individual activity, Summer Figure Skating Camp is a great opportunity for skaters to build friendships with other kids who share their love for skating while working on their skills and having some summer-time fun.

Read more ...

This is a 50-minute introduction to skating program lead by a NCCP certified coach. Each session is held on the small, less intimidating Studio ice surface. This format provides the skater the opportunity to begin learning the basics of skating with the comfort of having their parent/guardian at their side (must be the same parent each week due to Skate Canada insurance fees).

Both participants, skater and guardian must wear a CSA hockey helmet. Skaters receive ongoing incentives and a report card at the end. It is recommended that skaters are at least 2 years of age.

We are not currently offering any Parent and Tot sessions. Contact the club administrator for future availability.