Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
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Does my child need to know how to skate prior to joining the club?
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Does my child have to wear figure skates for Learn to Skate programs?
How can I join the club?
You can join in person at the club offices at the River Oaks Recreation Centre, 2400 Sixth Line, Oakville, during office hours (Monday and Friday 9:00am- 3:00pm and Tuesday to Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm. Or you can download the registration forms from the web page and either email them in or fax them back to the office with credit card details. For Test and Competitive Skaters, we hold In-person registration in June.
What is Shinny Ice?
Shinny is a Parks and Recreation general admission program that is offered to our figure skaters throughout the year. skaters are encouraged to use shinny time to complement their existing program. Skaters often make use of this service for extra practice or lessons particularly prior to test days. It is an inexpensive way to obtain extra ice time.
How frequently should blades get sharpened?
A good rule of thumb is to have your blades sharpened every 28 hour of ice time. For younger skaters in the Learn to Skate Programs who skate once to twice a week, a good rule is to have the blade sharpened prior to the new season and again in January. Always have your blades sharpened by a professional sharpening service. Do not use instant sharpening machines for figure skates! Top quality skate sharpening is available at Fisher Sharpening at the River Oaks Arena.
I have seen children on the Learn to Skate sessions working with coaches in the freeskate time....
Oakville Skating Club's Skate Canada Certified professional Coaches are available for both private and semi-private lessons, taught on the skater’s session. This service is intended to augment the program for the young skater and arrangements should be made directly with a coach. To contact a coach on your skater's session, speak to the convener of the session.
How should I care for my blades?
Besides sharpening them according to recommendations, remember never to walk around on your blades without a proper hard blade guard. Even with a guard to is not advisable to walk for extended distances with guards on as this can dull the blades. When the skates are not in use, take off the hard blade guards and put on a soft blade cover. These are made of cotton fabric and are not intended for walking, but do breathe and absorb moisture from condensation, thus preventing your blades from rusting.
What is High Five™ ?
High Five™ is a new Quality Assurance Program for recreation and sport from the Parks and Recreation Ontario. It is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive experience when participating in sporting or recreational activities. It is dedicated to promoting healthy childhood development. the Oakville Skating Club was the first minor sports group in Halton to commit to the program. Our coaches and board members have all participated in High Five™ training and we are working towards accreditation.
What should I wear to skating sessions?
For young skaters in Learn to Skate programs: It is acceptable for skaters in introductory programs at very basic levels to wear snow suits to keep warm as this will help the child to enjoy their experience more. As the children progress and are beginning to move on the ice, it is advisable to change to less bulky wear to promote movement - and fun! DO use lots of layers (undershirt, turtleneck, fleece sweater or sweatshirt, fleece pants or leotards & leggings with a skating skirt ). Remember mittens are warmer than gloves to wear! Remember this is an active sport and children do start to get warm while skating so allow them to remove layers as they need to. As your (child's) skating progresses, the coaches may advise you to wear proper skating attire that is fitting. This allows coaches to see bodylines and help them to correct technique and form.
Why does the club not use skating aids in their Learn to Skate Programs?
OSC does not use any aids to help the children stand and move across the ice. Aids could include cones or padded metal frames. Using supports teaches a new skater the wrong balance points on their skates and may hinder rather than help their progress in the long run. Another major reason is safety. This refers not only to the safety of the apparatus itself and the child using the aid, but also the safety of others using the ice, who could have the aid fly into them if the child using it falls. We view our Parent Tot, Preschool CanSkate and CanSkate sessions as fun activities, the main goal of which is to encourage the children to become comfortable and confident on the ice. Remember....sooner or later you will have to take and aid away from a child....
Does my child need to know how to skate prior to joining the club?
NO!
Does the club present an Ice Show?
The Club presents an Ice Show highlighting its talent every second year. The last show was held in April 2004. The next is scheduled for 2006. All levels of skaters join in, and a lot of fun is had by all!
A CSA helmet is one that has been approved by the Canadian Standards Association for use as head protection for ice sports. A bike helmet is not appropriate for use on the ice as it does not protect a skater well for falls onto the ice, when they can hit the back of the head hard. They can be obtained from any major sporting goods store. Children in the Learn to Skate programs are NOT PERMITTED on the ice without a helmet at any time.
Does my child have to wear figure skates for Learn to Skate programs?
No, while the use of figure skates in the Learn to Skate programs is not mandatory, children changing to figure skates later sometimes do experience difficulty with the toe picks.
Should toe picks be ground down?
While young skaters may occasionally trip on their toe picks when starting skating, it is not advisable to grind down the lowest toe pick on figure skates during sharpening. The toe picks are important for use in certain skills, and removing them makes these skills impossible to learn. In addition, keeping toe picks intact, encourages young skaters to adopt the correct balance and stance on their skates.
SALCHOW
A jump in which the skater takes off from the back inside edge of the skating foot, rotates one rotation in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Named after its originator, Ulrich Salchow.
Variations: double Salchow, triple Salchow, quadruple Salchow, one foot Salchow.
Neat fact: The 1965 World Champion and 1964 World and Olympic bronze medallist Petra Burka became the first woman to complete a triple jump in competition - the triple Salchow - performed at the 1962 Canadian Championships in Toronto, Ontario.
LUTZ
A toe jump in which the skater takes off from the back outside edge of the skating foot with assistance of the free foot toe, rotates in the reverse direction one rotation in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.
Variations: double Lutz, triple Lutz.
Neat fact: 1962 - Donald Jackson completes first-ever triple Lutz in competition.
LOOP JUMP
A jump in which the skater takes off from the back outside edge of the skating foot, turns one rotation in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the take-off foot.
Variations: double loop, triple loop, ˝ loop (a one rotation jump in which the skater lands on the back inside edge of the opposite foot from take-off)
AXEL
The skater takes off from the forward outside edge of the skate, completes 1˝ revolutions in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Named after its originator.
Variations: double Axel, triple Axel, inside Axel, one-foot Axel.
Neat fact: Canada's Vern Taylor became the first skater to land a triple Axel in competition at the 1978 World Championships in Ottawa.
Page last updated: June 17, 2008