1. How do I find a private coach?
Choosing the right coach is the first and perhaps the most important step in your child's figure skating development. When making that selection consider that, in addition to their teaching and coaching abilities, the coach will also be a role model. As the coach will spend a significant amount of time with our child, this must be a positive experience.
Once you have chosen the right coach for your child, show your support. Get to know our coach and understand what he or she expects from both you and your child. The best results happen when the skater, coach and parents work together as a team. However, remember to let the coach do the coaching. They are experts when it comes to figure skating.
Here are some suggestions for fostering a successful relationship with your child's coach.
* Decided on the level of commitment both time and financial
* Set reasonable short and long term goals
* Communicate often
* Discuss equipment needs
* Get updates on your child's progress
* Be supportive by providing positive feedback
Once you have chosen the right coach for your child, show your support. Get to know our coach and understand what he or she expects from both you and your child. The best results happen when the skater, coach and parents work together as a team. However, remember to let the coach do the coaching. They are experts when it comes to figure skating.
Here are some suggestions for fostering a successful relationship with your child's coach.
* Decided on the level of commitment both time and financial
* Set reasonable short and long term goals
* Communicate often
* Discuss equipment needs
* Get updates on your child's progress
* Be supportive by providing positive feedback
2. What is Test Day ?
When skaters are sufficiently trained for a certain Skate Canada test, the skater's coach will submit the skater's name to the Test Chairperson of the Club. The registration fees and private coaches' fees must be paid up to date to allow skater to participate in any test or competition.
There are usually two Test Days during the season ( December and March).
Guidelines for Skaters and Parents::
There are usually two Test Days during the season ( December and March).
Guidelines for Skaters and Parents::
- Submit Test Fees in the envelope received fro the Test Chairperson. Ensure envelope clearly displays skaters name, club , and Skate Canada number.
- Be in the arena one hour ahead of your scheduled time as test may run ahead of schedule. Check for your skaters time on club bulletin board a week before test day.
- Skaters should wear appropriate clothing for testing, as set by your coach.
3. What is Guest Skating ?
If skaters need a bit of extra practice time because of an up coming competition or Test Day, they are welcome to guest skate.
> Guest fees must be paid prior to the session being skated.
> Guest skating up or down a level is NOT permitted. Skaters must skate at their appropriate level.
> Guest skating is permitted only three times per year.
Guest Skating Fees - Skills & Dance OR FreeSkate $15 per session. Synchro Skills $20 session. No more than 3 sessions per discipline can be bought per season.
> Guest fees must be paid prior to the session being skated.
> Guest skating up or down a level is NOT permitted. Skaters must skate at their appropriate level.
> Guest skating is permitted only three times per year.
Guest Skating Fees - Skills & Dance OR FreeSkate $15 per session. Synchro Skills $20 session. No more than 3 sessions per discipline can be bought per season.
4. What are the Important Dates?
Throughout the year, the PSSC likes to offer fun days. Please check the Club bulletin board and/or the PSSC Facebook page for up to date messages about this year's dates to remember. These are some of the things that PSSC has done in the past.
Halloween Skate - Skaters are invited to wear their Halloween Costumes during their regular scheduled times. Please make sure the costume does not hinder the skaters’ abilities and will not be of danger to the skater.
Synchro Exhibition Skate - This is typically done on a Sunday in December to allow the synchro teams a chance to perform for the home crowd before starting the competition season. It is a great time to come out and watch to see what Synchro Skating is all about!
Gala - This is a chance for our skaters to show off their solos or group routines. Typically the Synchro teams also perform.
Santa Skate - Come out and see Santa! Skaters will have he chance to skate on the ice with Santa. Great time for a fun photo!
CanSkate & BeginnerStar Mini Olympics - Skaters on the CanSkate and BeginnerStar sessions will be given the opportunity to show off their skills in a fun competition atmosphere. All skaters will be rewarded!
Carnival (only some years)- Practices for Carnival will typically start 3 weeks before the big event for CanSkate and 2 weeks prior for other programs. Skaters are encouraged to invite all their family and friends to this event to show them what they have learned. All skaters will be fitted with a costume to the theme of the music that their group will be skating to.
PSSC Banquet - This party is to celebrate ALL skaters and their accomplishments. Skaters and their families are welcome to join for dinner (most likely will be a pot luck event) , awards, and a dance to finish off the skating season. Nut free please.
AGM - The club hosts an Annual General Meeting at the end of every skating season. This is where you are able to attend to hear how the season went, and to vote in new Board members. Any person interested in joining the board for the next skating season will be asked to send a letter of their intent to the clubs email address or in person to a current board member no later than 10 days prior to the meeting date.
Halloween Skate - Skaters are invited to wear their Halloween Costumes during their regular scheduled times. Please make sure the costume does not hinder the skaters’ abilities and will not be of danger to the skater.
Synchro Exhibition Skate - This is typically done on a Sunday in December to allow the synchro teams a chance to perform for the home crowd before starting the competition season. It is a great time to come out and watch to see what Synchro Skating is all about!
Gala - This is a chance for our skaters to show off their solos or group routines. Typically the Synchro teams also perform.
Santa Skate - Come out and see Santa! Skaters will have he chance to skate on the ice with Santa. Great time for a fun photo!
CanSkate & BeginnerStar Mini Olympics - Skaters on the CanSkate and BeginnerStar sessions will be given the opportunity to show off their skills in a fun competition atmosphere. All skaters will be rewarded!
Carnival (only some years)- Practices for Carnival will typically start 3 weeks before the big event for CanSkate and 2 weeks prior for other programs. Skaters are encouraged to invite all their family and friends to this event to show them what they have learned. All skaters will be fitted with a costume to the theme of the music that their group will be skating to.
PSSC Banquet - This party is to celebrate ALL skaters and their accomplishments. Skaters and their families are welcome to join for dinner (most likely will be a pot luck event) , awards, and a dance to finish off the skating season. Nut free please.
AGM - The club hosts an Annual General Meeting at the end of every skating season. This is where you are able to attend to hear how the season went, and to vote in new Board members. Any person interested in joining the board for the next skating season will be asked to send a letter of their intent to the clubs email address or in person to a current board member no later than 10 days prior to the meeting date.
5. What are Program Assistants?
In addition to the professional coaches on the group sessions, we have a number of program assistants. They are older, accomplished skaters at the Club who volunteer their time to assist the younger skaters. They share their love and knowledge of skating while performing various duties. The PSSC appreciates the hard work of all our Program Assistants and considers them a great asset to our Club.
Skaters wishing to help with the CanSkate program can become PA's if they are 12 years of age or have completed their preliminary FreeSkate tests.
Skaters wishing to help with the CanSkate program can become PA's if they are 12 years of age or have completed their preliminary FreeSkate tests.
6. Where can I find Skate Ontario’s Policies documents?