The Competitive Skate program is designed for skaters training to compete in the qualifying competitions for National Championships. It is important to note that STARskate skaters also compete, but often in different competitions, which don't lead to the Canadian Championships. It is also important to note that a skater can move back and forth from Competititve Skate to STARskate from season to season and that these 2 streams run parallel to each other, right up to the top skating levels.
Skate Canada Programs: CompetitiveSkate
STARSkaters who want to challenge their figure skating skills and show potential as competitive skaters can participate in the competitive program.
What is CompetitiveSkate?
The CompetitiveSkate Test Program is a testing program for skaters in singles, pairs and dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada. Skaters take a test to enter the Learn to compete or Train to Compete stages of LTAD (Long Term Athlete Development) specific to the discipline (Singles, Pairs and Dance) in which they wish to compete.
The following are the age and test requirements to compete in the various levels of competitive skate:
| Level |
Qualification |
| All Learn to Compete Levels |
Junior Bronze FreeSkate Test |
| *Pre-Juvenile U11 |
under age 11 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| *Pre-Juvenile U13 |
under age 13 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| *Juvenile U12 |
under age 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| *Juvenile U14 |
under age 14 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| *Pre-Novice |
under age 16 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| All Train to Compete Levels |
Gold FreeSkate Test |
| *Novice |
under age 17 as of July 1st preceding the competition |
| *Junior |
ISU designated age restrictions |
| *Senior |
no age restrictions |
It's more than just skating!
Skaters enrolled in CompetitiveSkate 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 national funding programs (as applicable)
- the opportunity to be selected to Skate Canada's National Team
- the opportunity to compete at Skate Canada Sectionals, Skate Canada Challenge, and/or the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
- opportunity and potential to be selected to represent Canada internationally
- access to sport science services
If I Participate in the Competitive Program, is that All I Can Do?
No! Many skaters who compete in the qualifying event structure also take tests in Skate Canada's STARSkate Program or participate on Synchronized Skating teams. The only events that you may not be able to compete in are club, and events, some which restrict entry of skaters who have competed in the qualifying event system.
The Qualifying Event structure
There are several opportunities throughout the season for skaters to participate in competitive events. Skaters can compete in a number of invitational competitions beginning in mid / late summer, through to the fall which are used as preparation before entering into the qualifying even structure as outlined below.
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, Novice, Junior and Senior levels in Singles, Pairs and Dance.
Skate Canada Sectionals
The Skate Canada Sectionals are the first of the Skate Canada qualifying competitions. Skaters can compete in events from Pre-Novice to Senior (Juvenile is optional). Those who finish in the top four places (8 places in Quebec) in the Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior events are eligible to compete at the Canadian Qualifying Event (Challenge). Each of the 13 Sectional events takes place in November.
Skate Canada Challenge
The Skate Canada Challenge is an elimination event for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships (Novice, Junior and Senior skaters). Pre-Novice National Champions will be declared at a combined Challenge event in each discipline. These events are held in December.
Senior skaters qualify through these events for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.
| Number of athletes/entries qualifying for and competing at national championships |
| |
Singles
|
Pair
|
Dance
|
Notes |
| Novice |
18
|
12
|
15
|
These numbers include skaters receiving a bye |
| Junior |
18
|
12
|
15
|
These numbers include skaters receiving a bye |
| Senior |
18
|
12
|
15
|
These numbers include skaters receiving a bye |
Canadian Figure Skating Championships
The Canadian Figure Skating Championships are 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.
