All Skating Academy skaters are permitted two make-up class per session.  Please inform your class teacher and the main office if a make-up class is needed.

Thank you for being a part of our skate school program and we look forward to skating with you. 

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All Canlan Ice Sports Skating Academy Skaters must register with Learn to Skate USA. 

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The Snowplow Sam levels are introductory classes divided into four progressive levels allowing children with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning the basic skills of skating. These classes are designed to help children six and younger develop the ABCs of movement – Agility, Balance, Coordination and speed. The ABCs are essential for developing fundamental movement skills and physical literacy. All classes will be taught in a safe and positive environment, incorporating fun and games making class time an enjoyable experience for all.

Off-ice orientation prior to the first skating class:

Equipment check – Proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, and safety helmets.

Practice falling and recovery, marching in place, dips and one-foot balances.

Snowplow Sam 1

A. Sit and stand up with skates on – off-ice
B. Sit and stand up – on-ice
C. March in place
D. March forward (8-10 steps)
E. March, then glide on two feet
F. Dip in place

Snowplow Sam 2

A. March followed by a long glide
B. Dip while moving
C. Backward walking, toes turned inward, shifting weight (4-6 steps)
D. Backward wiggles (6 in a row)
E. Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
F. Beginning snowplow stop motion – in place or holding onto barrier
G. Two-foot hop, in place (optional)

Snowplow Sam 3

A. Forward skating (8-10 strides)
B. Forward one-foot glide, two times skater’s height (R and L)
C. Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
D. Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
E. Moving forward snowplow stop (two-foot)
F. Curves

Snowplow Sam 4

A. Forward skating
B. Backward two-foot glide, length of skater’s height
C. Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
D. Rocking horse – one forward, one backward swizzle, repeat twice
E. Two-foot turns from forward to backward, in place (both directions)
F. Two-foot hop, in place

Based on the age and ability of the child after completion of Snowplow Sam 3, they can successfully advance to Basic 2 or Hockey 2, or progress to Snowplow Sam 4.

Basic 1

A. Sit on ice and stand up
B. March forward across the ice
C. Forward two-foot glide
D. Dip
E. Forward swizzles — 6–8 in a row
F. Backward wiggles — 6–8 in a row
G. Beginning snowplow stop on two feet
or one foot
★ Bonus skill: Two-foot hop in place

Basic 2

A. Scooter pushes — R and L
B. Forward one-foot glides — R and L
C. Backward two-foot glide — Glide the length of skater’s height
D. Rocking Horse (one forward swizzle, one backward swizzle) — Repeat twice
E. Backward swizzles — 6–8 in a row
F. Two-foot turns from forward to backward in place — clockwise and counterclockwise
G. Moving snowplow stop
★ Bonus skill: Curves

Basic 3

A. Beginning forward stroking showing correct use of blade
B. Forward half swizzle pumps on a circle — 6–8 consecutive clockwise and counterclockwise
C. Moving forward to backward twofoot turns on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise
D. Beginning backward one-foot glides — focus on balance
E. Backward snowplow stop — R and L
F. Forward slalom
★ Bonus skill: Forward pivots - clockwise and counterclockwise

Basic 4

A. Forward outside edge on a circle — R and L
B. Forward inside edge on a circle — R and L
C. Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
D. Backward half swizzle pumps on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise
E. Backward one-foot glides — R and L
F. Beginning two-foot spin — Up to two revolutions
★ Bonus skill: Forward lunges — both legs

Basic 5

A. Backward outside edge on a circle — R and L
B. Backward inside edge on a circle — R and L
C. Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
D. Forward outside three-turn — R and L
E. Advanced two-foot spin — 4–6
F. Hockey stop — both directions
★ Bonus skill: Side toe hop — R and L

Basic 6

A. Forward inside three-turn — R and L
B. Moving backward to forward two-foot turn on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise
C. Backward stroking
D. Beginning one-foot spin — 2–4 revolutions, optional free leg position and entry
E. T-stops – R and L
F. Bunny hop
G. Forward spiral on a straight line — R or L
★ Bonus skill: Shoot the duck — R or L

Pre-Free Skate
(COMBINATION OF BASIC 7 AND 8)

Skating Skills

A. Forward inside open mohawk from a standstill position (R to L and L to R)
B. Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glides (landing position), clockwise and counterclockwise
C. Backward outside edge to a forward outside edge transition, clockwise and counterclockwise
D. Two forward crossovers into a forward inside mohawk, step down and cross behind, step into one backward crossover and step to a forward inside edge, clockwise and counterclockwise

Spins

E. One-foot upright spin, optional entry and free-foot position (minimum three revolutions)

Jumps

F. Mazurka (R or L)
G. Waltz jump

★ Bonus Skill: Backward inside pivots, clockwise and counterclockwise

Free Skate 1

Skating Skills

A. Forward power stroking, clockwise and counterclockwise
B. Basic forward outside and forward inside consecutive edges (four to six consecutive edges)
C. Backward outside three-turns (R and L)

Spins

D. Upright spin, entry from back crossovers (min. four to six revolutions)

Jumps

E. Half flip
F. Toe loop

★ Bonus Skill: Waltz jump-side toe hop-waltz jump sequence, or waltz jump-ballet jump- toe loop sequence

Free Skate 2

Skating Skills

A. Alternating forward outside and inside spirals on a continuous axis (two sets)
B. Basic backward outside and backward inside consecutive edges (four to six consecutive edges)
C. Backward inside three-turns (R and L)

Spins

D. Beginning back spin (one to two revolutions)

Jumps

E. Half Lutz
F. Salchow

★ Bonus Skill: Variation of a forward spiral, skater’s choice

Free Skate 3

Skating Skills

A. Alternating backward crossovers to back outside edges – Four sets
B. Alternating mohawk/crossover sequence (R to L and L to R)
C. Waltz three-turns (forward outside three turn, backward outside edge glide), clockwise and counterclockwise

Spins

D. Advanced back spin with free foot in crossed leg position (min. three revolutions)

Jumps

E. Loop Jump
F. Waltz jump-toe loop or Salchow-toe loop combination

★ Bonus Skill: Toe step sequence, skater’s choice, using a variety of toe steps

Free Skate 4

Skating Skills

A. Forward power three-turns (R and L), 3 sets each
B. Waltz eight

Spins

C. Forward upright spin to backward upright spin (3 revs., each foot)
D. Sit spin (minimum three revolutions)

Jumps

E. Half Loop
F. Flip

★ Bonus Skill: Split jump, stag jump or split falling leaf

Free Skate 5

Skating Skills

A. Backward outside three-turn, mohawk (backward power three-turns), clockwise and counterclockwise
B. Five-step mohawk sequence, clockwise and counterclockwise

Spins

C. Camel spin (minimum three revolutions) 

Jumps

D. Waltz jump-loop jump combination
E. Lutz Jump

★ Bonus Skill: Loop-loop combination

Free Skate 6

Skating Skills

A. Forward power pulls (R and L)
B. Creative step sequence, skater’s choice,using a variety of three-turns, mohawks and toe steps

Spins

C. Camel-sit spin combination (minimum two revolutions each position)
D.  Layback or attitude spin or cross-foot spin (three revolutions)

Jumps

E. Waltz jump-Half loop-Salchow jump sequence
F. Beginning Axel

★ Bonus Skill: Backward outside pivot, entry optional