CanSkate (Learn To Skate)

For beginners age 3 and up as well as those wishing to improve their basic skating skills whether their focus be for figure skating, hockey, speed skating or just skating for fun.

National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) trained professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants.

A complete series of Balance, Control and Agility skills taught in six stages of learning that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating as well as general recreational skating. CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills and developing them faster.

Action, movement and fun! Lessons are given in a group format with a coach-to-student ratio of a maximum 1:10. 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 for each Stage (1-6) and ribbons for each stage of each series (Balance, Control and Agility) are used to benchmark skaters’ progress and reward effort and participation.

Canskaters are required to have their own skates and their own CSA-approved hockey helmet as rentals of ice skates and helmets are NOT available from Hillcrest Centre during Riley Park Canskate Lessons.

Skaters are also required to wear mittens or gloves for warmth and protection and recommended to dress warmly and wear long pants and a sweater and/or jacket.

Click here to find out how to register. For the our current lesson schedule, go to Program Schedules.

Click here to find out what to expect during the first week of CanSkate Lessons 

Parents and Caregivers are required to remain at the rink during their skater's lesson. This is to ensure that the skater will be met at the rink entrance by their parent/caregiver for assistance when they come off the ice.