East York Memorial Arena

Learn to Skate programs, beginner to advanced, focus on orientation to ice and skating techniques. Course prerequisites are indicated. All Adult participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Development of balance and posture. Introduction to forward skating, gliding, stopping and backward skating. Prerequisite: Level 1 is for participants who are new to skating or are unable to skate the width of the ice surface with a glide. Participants should be able to stand and walk on skates with straight ankles off the ice. Participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Development of forward gliding, stopping, backward skating. Introduction to one foot glides and backward gliding. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 or participant can skate (with a glide) the length of the ice without falling. Participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Development of backward stopping, backwards gliding and edges. Introduction to cross-overs, slalom skating, 2 foot turns. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 2 or participant is able to glide on one foot, skate backwards and stop. Participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Development of cross-overs, backward stopping. Introduction to one foot turns, backward circle thrusts. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 3 or participant has strong backwards skating and stopping ability. Participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Development of backward cross-overs, forward edges, skill combinations. Introduction to parallel stopping, backward edges and turns. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 4 or proficient skating ability. Participant is able to perform forward cross-overs, forward inside edges, 3-turns. Participants must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

Learn to Skate programs, beginner to advanced, focus on orientation to ice and skating techniques. Course prerequisites are indicated. All participants in beginner type instructional programs, when on the ice are required to wear CSA approved hockey helmets and it is highly recommended for all other skaters.

Children will receive an orientation to the ice surface and will learn the basics of skating through games and songs. Participants should be able to stand and walk on skates with straight ankles off the ice. It is mandatory that all preschool participants wear a CSA approved hockey helmet with a full face mask. For Caregiver and Tot programs, the caregiver accompanying the child on the ice must also wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.