Competitive Skating

What is Competitive Skating?

Competitive is a program for skaters in singles, pairs and ice dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada.

It's more than just skating?

Skaters enrolled in Competitive learn a variety of life skills as they progress up the competitive ladder.  These include goal setting, focus, ability to deal with success/failure, time management and principles of fair play and sportsmanship.  In addition to the life skill benefits, skaters in this program receive:

• access to provincial and nation funding programs (as applicable)
• the opportunity to be selected to Skate Canada's National Team
• the opportunity to compete at Skate Canada Sections, Skate Canada Challenge, Winter Games, and/or the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
• opportunity and potential to be selected to represent Canada internationally
• access to sport science services

The Qualifying Event Structure

There are several opportunities throughout the season for skaters to participate in competitive events.

The Skate Canada Competitive Program offers nationally standardized competitions to competitive skaters.  These events are the stepping stones to things such as the National Team and the World and Olympic teams.  Skaters competing in the qualifying event structure can do so at the Juvenile (optional category), Pre-Novice, Junior and Senior levels in singles, pairs and ice dance.

Skate Canada Nationals

This event is held every January in a different city. Competition is offered in singles, pair and ice dancing at the Novice, Junior and Senior level.

The top four Senior entries from the Qualifying Events (Challenge) are eligible to compete. Skaters will compete at Challenge other than those receiving a bye.

After completion of the Championships, the Skate Canada Board of Directors selects the teams that will represent Canada at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, ISU Junior World Championships as well as the ISU Four Continents team. Results from this event are also used to help determine what skaters will be on the National teams.

Where Do I Go From Here?

There are a number of options once a skater decides that the Competitive Program may not be the Program for them. Skaters may choose to enter Skate Canada’s STARSkate Program or participate on a Synchronized Skating team. Others who are leaving the Competitive Program to pursue other interests may be interested in becoming coaches, evaluators, judges, technical specialist, technical controller or data specialists. Others may choose to participate on a varsity skating team (if offered), or continue to skate and compete as an adult member of the Association.