Welcome everyone to the 2023-2024 Skating Season!

Please read this email thoroughly. It is long but contains a lot of information you need.

This email is also available to view at any time here:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/Information/Welcome-to-Canskate

Note that we can only use the email in Uplifter to reach you, so do not opt out, and ensure you check your spam and promotions folders regularly. We are not responsible for deadlines missed due to incorrect email addresses or opting out.

Season begins:
September 30th, 2023 – Bay Arena,

October 1st, 2023 – Harbour Grace

Schedule is here:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/Master-Schedule

Canskate is not a 1:1 program. It is a group lesson program. The ratio required is 1:10 Skate Canada coaches or Program Assistants to skaters. Once skaters can stand alone, they will receive less assistance (not less coaching!) The first day will be a general assessment of new skaters so they can be regrouped based on ability if needed.

If your skater is new to our program, they begin in the PreCanskate program (aka PreCan or PC). Skaters will move up in stages from PreCan to Stage 6. There are various skills that develop throughout and build upon each other. Skaters are assessed constantly and are awarded ribbons or badges when they have achieved the Skate Canada standard for their level. Every skater progresses at their own rate. Please never compare your skater to another, or a sibling to another. 

Skaters will not automatically move to the Stage 3-6 session if they pass Stage 2. This will be entirely dependent on the number of skaters and coaches we have on each session, so continue to attend your normal session. If your child is being moved, you will be emailed directly by our head coach. If they are not moving, we will have a dedicated group for your child's stage so they can continue to progress. 

Please respect our volunteers who give their time so your child can skate.

EQUIPMENT YOU NEED:

HELMET
All skaters in Canskate, without exception, must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet. No other type of helmet is permissible. Skaters are not permitted on the ice without their helmet. A cage is optional. Hair should be out of their face, so we recommend if the hair is long to put it in a low ponytail that hangs below the helmet. 

SKATES
Skates should be strong enough in the ankles so that their feet do not bend in or out. Please try on your skater's skates off the ice and see if their feet stand upright. If they do turn out or in, you will need a stronger pair for ankle support. Every child is different and two skaters the same size and skating ability may need two different styles. We do not recommend "grow with me" skates or skates that are plastic and molded. Hockey skates are fine, however, please keep in mind the ankle support recommendation. 

When trying on skates, you should not be able to put any more than a pencil behind the heel when the toes are pushed to the top. If there is more space than that, they are too big! Please also ensure your skater has sharpened skates. Skates should never be stored with guards on them. They will rust! However, skate guards are excellent for keeping your blades in great condition and should be worn any time they are not on the ice (ie walking around the rink)! 

Here is a link from Skate Canada that may help!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQ2Yr5pdR0

Some good skates for Canskate are:
Jackson Finesse
Jackson Excel (Coach Jamie’s personal favourite for Canskate – older skaters may need stronger skates)

The skate your child will need will be dependent on their height/weight/age/skating level. Buying skates that are too stiff is just as detrimental as skates that are too weak. 

You can get skates at Play it Again Sports or Sportscraft in St. John’s, and on the following Facebook Groups (where we have seen MANY skates in many sizes for very good prices!):

Newfoundland Buy and Sell Figure Skating Equipment
https://www.facebook.com/groups/651973161566679

You can also ask around to your friends who have been in skating! There are lots of skaters who have been around for years, and there are likely used skates in our own community that will work for you! 

CLOTHING
Skaters should wear clothing that is easy to move in/dress in layers. Skating dresses are not required, but if you choose to put them on your skater, please ensure they have warm skating tights (not dance tights!) and a sweater on! Even though we skate in an ice rink, they do get warm while skating! They should always wear mittens or gloves as they fall quite a bit, and wear clothing that enables them to get up on their own. Snow pants and big winter jackets are often too bulky for ease of movement. Scarves are NOT permitted.

SAFETY
- If your skater is unwell, or if you are in isolation/asked to self-isolate please do not come skating. Consider that if our coaching staff or PAs become ill, it may cause cancellations of sessions.
- Skaters are not permitted to lie on the ice and roll around.
- Any skaters who kick, slap, or hit coaches or PAs will be immediately removed for the day. No exceptions. 
- Please watch your child throughout their session. If they are injured, need their skates fixed, or need to use the washroom, we will wave to you to come get them. We will not be tying skates or fixing helmets or hair.
- To minimize contact, we will not be picking skaters up off the ice once they are passed PreCan. PreCan includes "falling down and getting up" so if they have passed this stage, they are expected to get up themselves. Please let them know that they will need to get up on their own unless it is injury related. We will continue to encourage independence.
- CHENILLE TYPE MINI GLOVES/MITTENS ARE NOT PERMITTED. These are the fluffy ones typically purchased at the dollar store. They leave woollies that stick on the ice which creates a serious safety issue for our coaches and skaters. We have had many skaters injured due to this. If we see your skater with these on, we will direct them back to you for another pair.

OTHER RINK RULES (Please ensure anyone who takes your skater is aware of these)
- No one is permitted in player boxes or in gates at any time for any reason unless directed.
- No one is permitted to speak to coaches or PAs while they are on the ice unless they are approached. PAs (program assistants) are volunteer teenagers who help our skaters. They receive Canskate PA training every season but are not professionally trained coaches. 
- Parents are to keep an eye on their own child or have someone there to watch them. Skaters are NEVER permitted to be in the rink alone. 
- Please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct that you agreed to when you registered:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/Terms-and-Conditions/codeofconduct/

OTHER CANSKATE NOTES
- Skaters will be assigned a colour. This will be indicated by a star sticker on their name tag. The colour may change from time to time, so check each day.
- Name tags are picked up and put on your skater by you, a few minutes before the session begins. They will be set out on a table in the dressing room with your name on the door. Please read the names on the door!!!!
- Skaters will enter the ice and do a PA directed warm up which takes about 10 minutes.
- skaters do 3, 10-minute lessons. They will rotate through 3 circuits, one of which is sometimes a "fun zone" and does not have a coach present. However, PAs will do their circuit with them. 
- There is a cool down at the end of the session led by PAs.
- All name tags MUST be handed in at the end of the session. We have a volunteer at the gate to take them, as well, PAs may assist skaters to speed up this process. Please NEVER take your name tags home!
- If you must leave early, you must bring your name tag to our volunteer that is in the player bench. 

CANCELLATIONS
Skating is a seasonal registration, not a set number of weeks. Cancellations will be emailed and posted on our Facebook page. We will give as much notice as possible if a cancellation is required due to hockey, competitions, or weather.

ICE SHOW
Measurements are due on November 10 as we order costumes early to get the best selection. Please see how to input your measurements here and do so by the deadline:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/Ice-Show/Ice-Show-Measurements/

INVOICING/ACCOUNTS
- Ensure your account is kept in good standing.
- Declined credit card installment payments are subject to a fee (so check your expiration dates)

Theme Days:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/clubevents

Important Dates:
https://cbnskatingclub.uplifterinc.com/pages/important-dates

Please like our Facebook page, where we provide regular updates:
https://www.facebook.com/cbnsc

Our website also has lots of information, click around and check it out!:
https://www.cbnskatingclub.uplifter.com

PRECAN ONLY:
- We will encourage skating on their own and independence. As soon as they can balance, we will encourage them to skate alone, no matter how slow they go. The only way to get better at skating is to skate!

If you have questions, please feel free to email Jamie at cbnsccoaching@gmail.com; she will be very happy to help guide you! Please allow 24-48 hours for a response, and on weekends, response time is the Monday following the weekend.

If you have invoicing or registration questions, please contact the club at skatingnotices@hotmail.com. Please allow 48 hours for a response. 

*PLEASE GET YOUR CHILD'S SKATES SHARPENED PRIOR TO STARTING!*

Thank you!
The CBNSC Coaching Staff