DSC Elite – Skaters must have a minimum FreeSkate Score of 40 or higher. (Please note: this score will increase on September 1, 2025) Skaters are able to land all five double jumps consistently and are working on 2A and Triples. These are freeskate only sessions, dance and skills are not permitted. Skaters are required to register for a minimum of one gym session per week and skate a minimum of 6 sessions per week.

 

DSC Competitive – Skaters must have a minimum FreeSkate Score of 20 or higher(please note: this score will increase September 1, 2025)and can successfully land 1A + 2-4 double jumps. Skaters must be competing in the Pre-Juvenile/ Juvenile or higher categories. These are freeSkate only sessions, dance and skills are not permitted. Skaters are required to register for a minimum of one gym session per week and skate a minimum of 5 sessions per week.

 

DSC Pre-Competitive – Skaters can successfully land all single jumps and have landed or are working on 1A and double jumps. Skaters at this level have a keen interest in being a podium pathway competitor. Skaters must skate a minimum of 4 sessions per week. If this is a route your skater would like to explore, please contact DSC’s head coach and Director – Kyla Upton.

 

 

DSC Gold – Skaters have completed the full Star 7 FreeSkate assessment. Skaterscan successfully land 1A and 1-2 doubles OR have completed either the Star 9 Skill or Dance assessments.

 

DSC Silver – Skaters have completed the Full Star 4 FreeSkate assessment or have successfully completed the Star 6 Skill or Dance assessments. Skaters are working on making the 1A consistent and starting to work on double jumps.

 

DSC Bronze – Skaters have completed the Full Star 1 set of assessments – this includes the Star 1 Dance Elements, FreeSkate, and Skill. Skaters should be skating a minimum of 4 days per week.

 

DSC Rising Stars - Skaters have completed the Stage 6 CanSkate badge. Skaters must skate a mandatory 2 days per week and it is highly recommended to skate 3-4 sessions per week.

 

The Podium Pathway is Skate Canada’s competitive figure skating program, which is a part of Skate Canada’s Long-Term Development (LTD) framework. The Podium Pathway program is for skaters in singles, pairs, and ice dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada. Skaters enrolled in the Podium Pathway program with Skate Canada 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 fairplay and sportsmanship.

 

In addition to the life skill benefits, skaters in this program receive:

• 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
• The opportunity and potential to be selected to represent Canada internationally

Many skaters who compete in the qualifying event structure also take tests in Skate Canada’s STARSkate Program. Skaters within the Podium Pathway program may be restricted entry to STARSkate competitions as they are competing within the qualifying event system. There are several opportunities throughout the season for skaters to participate in competitive events. The Skate Canada Podium Pathway 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 Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior levels in singles, pairs, and ice dance.

Starskate Sessions

 

STARSkate has been Skate Canada’s mainstay of figure skating in Canada for more than 40 years. The STARSkate program offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, freeskate, and artistic skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.

 

When you/your child registers for a STARSkate program at DSC, a Skate Canada sanctioned club, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:

• Opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
• Complimentary Gold Test pins
• Regional and provincial-level competitions, including the STARSkate championship stream
• Opportunity to be talent-scouted
• Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure.

Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several options. Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, taking tests(although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada Podium Pathway Program. Regardless of the avenue your skater chooses, STARSkate will instill a lifelong passion for figure skating. 

Disciplines within the STARSkate Program

 

Freeskate – The focus of the Freeskate discipline includes the development of jumps, spins, and Program Components. Freeskate combines the artistry of our sport with the technical aspect. Skating skills such as turns, edges and power serve as a base for the performance of jumps and spins. Musicality, expression, and performance are developed through Freeskate Programs.

Ice Dance – The focus of the Dance discipline includes the development of skating technique while promoting timing, accuracy and musicality through pattern dances. Pattern Dances involve the skating of prescribed Patterns to music with a defined Rhythm and Tempo. The GoldRhythm Dance combines skating skills such as turns, edges and power with timing, expression and creativity. The aspects developed through Dance assessments benefit every discipline in skating.

Skills – The focus of the discipline of Skills is the development of edge and turn technique using “figure form”; power and rhythm in skills exercises; and balance, strength and flexibility in field moves. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of Skating Skills is the mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.

Artistic – The focus of the Artistic discipline is the development of program components, musical movement and creativity. Artistic combines skating aspects such as turns, edges and field moves, with creative spins and the ability to project emotion and artistry. The aspects developed through Artistic assessments benefit every discipline in skating.

Competing within the STARSkate Program

 

STARSkate participants love to compete! Skate Canada’s feedback indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada Podium Pathway Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this.

Skate NS Event Series  – Skate NS, the Skate Canada section in which DSC is situated, runs and organizes regional and provincial-level competitions for STAR 1 and above skaters. These competitions may or may not be qualifying, depending on the skaters’ level. These competitions are held all over the province of NS.