STARSkate

 

 

Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition – this is what STARSkate is all about!

STAR 1-5

STAR 1-5 is an “introduction” to figure skating. Skaters entering the program should be able to perform all skills in the CanSkate Stages 5 & 6.  The sport of figure skating has a strong technical focus. It takes time for skaters to develop the skills necessary to be proficient at certain techniques. The STAR 1-5 program is designed to allow skaters to be recognized for achievement at the various stages.

Skaters will train in Skills, Dance, and Freeskate and Artistic disciplines. Skaters will also have the opportunity to take tests and attend competitions (with an assessed to standard focus).

StarSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. This program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system with the focus being on testing and local competitions over qualifying for national level events.

The La Ronge Skating Club also supports StarSkate by preparing skaters for competitions such as Club Regionals, Winter Classic, and even some out of province competitions such as Sunsational in Alberta!  

 

How does StarSkate work?

The StarSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. Each area is divided into the following levels:

• Skating Skills: STAR 1 - STAR 5 & Senior Bronze - Gold
• Free Skating: STAR 1 - STAR 5 & Senior Bronze - Gold
• Dance: STAR 1 - STAR 5 & Senior Bronze - Gold
• Interpretive: Introductory, Bronze, Silver & Gold

 

What do the areas of figure skating mean?

Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements that include edges, turns, field moves and basic skating. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.

Ice Dance teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters’ creativity, artistry and originality.

Free Skate consists of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music. Each test consists of 2 parts – elements in isolation and a choreographed program (except for STAR 1 which is just elements in isolation).

Interpretive programs encourage and develop skaters’ creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements like jumps or spins.

 

 

 

STAR 6-Gold and Competitive Skate  

 

Skaters may choose to continue in higher levels of the STARSkate program (STAR 6, STAR 8, etc.) or transition into in Competitive Skate (Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, etc.). Skaters may also explore ice dancing, pair skating, artistic skating.  There are many opportunities for skaters and the best path for athletes to take should be a decision made collaboratively (child, parent and coach).

The STAR 6-Gold  program consists of figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Artistic.  Tests at the STAR 6 level and above are evaluated at assessment days by officials.  Competitions are ranked rather than assessed to Standard.

 

 

STAR 6 – Gold Content 

What is the Competitive Pathway?

Competitive Skate is the figure skating stream outside of the STAR 1-GOLD Program.  Skaters must have completed STAR 5 to begin at a Pre-Juvenile Level in either the U11 or U13 category. The La Ronge Skating Club has developed many competitive skaters over the years and coached them through the competitive levels. Many of these skaters also train with Clubs such as Saskatoon as dedication to year-round skating is required.   

 

The levels include:

- Pre-Juvenile (Under 11 & Under 13 Categories)

- Juvenile (Under 12 & Under 14 Categories)

- Pre-Novice

- Novice

- Junior 

- Senior

 

Competitive Skaters have the opportunity to compete at Sectionals with some levels having the opportunity to advance to larger competitions such as Skate Canada Challenge and Skate Canada Nationals.  These qualifications are based on the skater's technical element scores.