CanSkate is the Skate Canada flagship learn-to-skate program. It provides kids with the best foundation for figure skating and hockey and introduces a healthy, lifelong activity at an early age.  CanSkate promotes fun, fitness and participation.  

The CanSkate program teaches fundamental skating skills like skating forwards, backwards, how to stop, turn, spin and jump. The skills are taught and emphasized through fun activities and continuous movement in small groups. Skills are assessed frequently, and there are many incentives available to reward participation. Badges are also awarded at each level. CanSkate graduates can progress on to other Skate Canada programs. Instruction is on a group basis and taught by Professional Coaches and assisted by qualified CanSkate Program Assistants to ensure a good coach to skater ratio.

All skaters must have a CSA approved ice skating helmet. Bike helmets are not acceptable. Parents are not permitted on the ice with their children and no hockey equipment is allowed on the ice. Skaters should be dressed warmly but not in clothing that is restrictive. Parents of CanSkate children must have someone at the arena that is responsible for their child while he/she is on the ice.

See more on equipment requirements here.

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WHY SIGN UP FOR CANSKATE?

What is CanSkate?

CanSkate is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development.  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?

Our program is for beginners of all ages, as well as for those wishing to improve their basic skills whether their focus be for figure skating, hockey, or just skating for fun. Skaters should be able to stand on their own without assistance, otherwise skaters should consider our Pre-CanSkate program as we do not have the resources to assist individual skaters.

Who teaches it?

Trained professional coaches.

What will you learn?

A complete series of balance, control and agility skills taught in six stages of learning. CanSkate uses nationally-tested 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. 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. An off-ice coach-led warm-up is included in each session as part of the Long Term Athlete Development model.

Want to learn more? Check out Skate Canada's Information! 

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New for 2026-27: CanSkate HP!

We are excited to invite CanSkaters who meet the criteria below to join our new Canskate HP (high performance) program. CanSkate HP will run 22 weeks at the Paradise Double Ice Complex on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. The program starts with an off-ice component and then proceeds to on-ice instruction.
**Please note: to attend this session, you must be registered for one other Canskate session per week**

There will be a dress code for this program. Skaters are to wear black leggings (no jeans), a black sweater/jacket (until HP team jackets arrive) and black gloves/mittens. Jackets for the skaters in this program with the Mount Pearl-Paradise Skating Club logo and the program name embroidered possibly on the back. All skaters in this program must wear a CSA-approved helmet and figure skates.

This program is designed to fast-track keen CanSkaters who display the eagerness and potential to be competitive skaters. Skaters must be under 8 years of age and have passed STAGE 2 (NO EXCEPTIONS OUTSIDE OF THIS CRITERIA). Skaters will progress through the program mastering basic figure skating skills in a fun, progressive and sequential manner. Skaters will receive instruction in small groups (6 skaters or less) by Skate Canada professional coaches in a fun and positive environment. This program will also include an off-ice component to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. (Please note the off-ice component is a mandatory part of this program as it is not just a warm-up but we work on the skills off-ice that the skaters are perfecting on-ice. Off-ice is just as important as the on-ice component to the development of all skaters.

We anticipate this to be a popular program that will fill quickly as space is limited.