Off to a Good Start
(Please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are not offering the Off to a Good Start programs in the fall of 2020. We will assess the feasibility of offering these programs after the fall session.)
Join our friends Chico and Chica for some fun on the ice!
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
On the Ice Together
Skating on My Own
Full Speed Ahead
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.
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.
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.
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.
Skills training follows the Speed Skating Canada Cutting Edge Pin Program, but the introductory level training is appropriate for all skating sports.
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.
