"Skate Canada is committed to providing special needs athletes with program and competitive opportunities. Liaising regularly with Special Olympics Canada as well as other sport organizations for athletes with a disability, Skate Canada provides updates and support to member clubs regarding strategies on how to integrate Special Olympians and other special needs skaters into regular club programming."

Come Be Part of Something Special

Special Olympics Ontario is a non-profit organization that provides sport training and competition for individuals with an intellectual disability. Figure skating coaches who are interested in working with these figure skating athletes, contact Jeannie Skeggs, Area Coordinator, Special Olympics Ontario at (905) 304-5705 or e-mail Region1and2@osoinc.com
For information contact Special Olympics Ontario, 18 Wynford Dr., Suite 300, Toronto, ON M3C 3S2, toll free: 1-888-333-5515.

Why sign up for CanSkate?

CanSkate is Canada's only national learn-to-skate program. It was developed by experts to teach the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner.
When you/your child registers for a CanSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanSkate program can include:

• badges
• stickers
• tattoos
• colouring sheets
• parent information sheets
• progress updates and report cards
• special CanSkate events and club functions
• BMO CanSkater of the Year award program
• opportunity to be talent-scouted
• opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity
• having fun and enjoying the skating is also a big part of the program!

Program Structure

The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional 7th level for skaters who want to move into figure skating. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Once the skills on each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges.