Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club
  • Home
  • Info
    • About Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club >
      • About Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club
      • Board of Directors and Committees
      • Policies
    • News
    • Meet our Coaches
    • Short Track Protective Equipment
    • Resources
    • FAQs
  • Programs
    • Overview of Programs
    • 2019 Summer Dry Land Program
    • Off to a Good Start Introductory Programs
    • Core Speed Skating Programs
    • Special Olympics Learn to Skate and Speed Skating
    • Competitive Programs >
      • Short Track Competitive Programs
      • Long Track Program
    • Adult programs
    • Newcomers
    • Speed skate rentals
  • Events
    • Dartmouth Crossing Interclub Minimeet
    • Dartmouth Crossing Sprints
  • FUNDRAISING
    • Safety Padding Fundraising Campaign >
      • Safety Padding Fundraising Campaign Overview
      • Short Track Safety Padding
  • Contact

Off to a Good Start Introductory Skating and Speed Skating Programs

Off to a Good Start

Join our friends Chico and Chica for some fun on the ice!

We offer 6:1 coaching ratios for our
Off to A Good Start Introductory Programs

Off to a Good Start is our introductory Learn to Skate / Learn to Speed Skate program,with three levels of programming:
On the Ice Together
Skating on My Own 

Full Speed Ahead

Use of the club's speed skates is included in the registration, or skaters may use their own skates if they prefer.  See other equipment requirements at the bottom of the page.
Registration for 2019-2020 programs is now open. Programs will start the week of October 1, 2019.

Programs are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 - 7:10 PM. 
Skaters may register for either day or both days.


Tuesdays
Session 1 October 1 to November 19 (8 weeks)

Session 2 November 26 to January 28 (8 weeks, no ice time December 20 to January 6)

Session 3 February 4 to March 24 (8 weeks)


Thursdays
Session 1 October 3 to November 21 (7 weeks, no ice time October 10)
Session 2 December 5 to January 30 (7 weeks, no ice time December 20 to January 6)

Session 3 February 6 to March 26 (8 weeks)


Fees are $85 for one session a week for eight weeks, or $75 for seven weeks. 
A full season registration is available for $240 on Tuesdays or $220 on Thursdays. 

Details below or contact registrar at 902-443-8781 or registrar@dcspeedskate.ca.

Picture
On the Ice Together

This program is for young skaters who are just starting to skate, and who will benefit from having a familiar adult on the ice with them.  This is a fun-based learning program that will establish basic on-ice skills.  We have found that these very young skaters often do better in speed skates than in hockey or figure skates, because of the flatter rocker on the blades.

Skaters from this group may move into the Skating on My Own group when they are ready.


REGISTER NOW

Picture

Skating on My Own

Participants in this program are able to skate on their own without support.  They will learn basic movement skills, and the ABCs of Agility, Balance, and Coordination. 

Skaters may move up into the Full Speed Ahead group when they are ready.


REGISTER NOW

Picture

Full Speed Ahead

Participants in this program will learn the basic skills of speed skating.  In addition to racing at our local mini-meets, if they are ready skaters may also try racing at a regular speed skating meet.

Skaters may move up to the Skills Development program at 7:10 PM when they are ready, generally when they have completed levels 1 to 3 of the
Cutting Edge Pin Program.

REGISTER NOW

Skills training follows the Speed Skating Canada Cutting Edge Pin Program, but the introductory level training is appropriate for all skating sports.

Enrollment in any of these programs includes an Introductory membership in Speed Skating Canada and Speed Skate Nova Scotia.

EQUIPMENT


Use of  the club's Viking Adjustable speed skates during these programs is included in the registration.  These come in European sizes 28 to 35.  Skaters requiring a larger size may be fitted with with skates from the club's inventory of regular speed skates, subject to availability.  Skaters are also welcome to use their own skates if they prefer.


Skaters must provide their own helmets, which are mandatory.  We recommend a hockey-type helmet with a cage to protect the face.  If skaters do not wish to have a cage on their helmet, they must wear safety glasses and should also wear a mouthguard.  If you are applying for KidSport or JumpStart funding, please make sure to request a voucher for a helmet purchase when you are submitting your application if you do not already have a helmet. 

Skaters must also wear study gloves (not fleece or knitted gloves) while they are on the ice. 

Adults accompanying skaters on the ice must also be wearing skates, gloves and helmets.


Knee pads may be worn to give the skaters more confidence in practicing some skills.  For the Full Speed Ahead program speed skating safety equipment will be added as speed skating skills are introduced.  The club has a small inventory of safety equipment, not including helmets, that may be borrowed for use during the ice sessions.


For additional information, please see our FAQ page.
Many thanks to Sandra MacMurray for bringing Chico and Chica to life through her gorgeous illustrations, to the Losier family for the Dartmouth Crossing logo concept, and to John Hillis for the Learn to Skate program video.
Picture
Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.
Picture
We would like to acknowledge the advice, encouragement and support of Sport Nova Scotia as we work together to assist Nova Scotians to lead happy, healthy lives through participation in recreational and competitive sport experiences.
Picture
We are pleased to work in partnership with Special Olympics Nova Scotia to offer Special Olympics speed skating programming to skaters of all ages and abilities.

Many thanks go out to these funding sponsors for helping us make skating and speed skating a part of the lives of more Nova Scotians:
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Many thanks to Cheese Curds
and Habaneros for supporting our community initiatives.
Picture


TRUEFAUX FILMS INC,
Many thanks to  John Hillis for our Learn to Skate video and Hannah Minzloff, for this website design!

Picture


Thanks to Capstone Building Products for supporting our programs as we bring speed skating back to Dartmouth!

Picture
BCHRIST PHOTOGRAPHY
Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating would like to thank Bill Christ for allowing the use of his speed skating images to promote our sport.


Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating

Sheila McGinn
registrar@dcspeedskate.ca
902-443-8781

Support

Contact
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Info
    • About Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club >
      • About Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club
      • Board of Directors and Committees
      • Policies
    • News
    • Meet our Coaches
    • Short Track Protective Equipment
    • Resources
    • FAQs
  • Programs
    • Overview of Programs
    • 2019 Summer Dry Land Program
    • Off to a Good Start Introductory Programs
    • Core Speed Skating Programs
    • Special Olympics Learn to Skate and Speed Skating
    • Competitive Programs >
      • Short Track Competitive Programs
      • Long Track Program
    • Adult programs
    • Newcomers
    • Speed skate rentals
  • Events
    • Dartmouth Crossing Interclub Minimeet
    • Dartmouth Crossing Sprints
  • FUNDRAISING
    • Safety Padding Fundraising Campaign >
      • Safety Padding Fundraising Campaign Overview
      • Short Track Safety Padding
  • Contact