Starting CanSkate? What Parents Should Know About First Skates

Balance Comes First

Starting CanSkate is a big moment. For many children, it’s their first experience standing and moving on the ice.

And before speed, turns or hockey skills, there’s one thing every beginner needs to develop:

Balance.

CanSkate develops skaters through three fundamental areas — Balance, Control and Agility — as they progress through the program.

Those first accomplishments matter. Standing independently, taking those first steps and beginning to glide can give a young skater the confidence to keep trying.

Specifically Designed for Learn to Skate

Balance Blades were specifically designed for beginner skaters learning to skate.

Unlike skates designed primarily for hockey or figure skating, the patented Balance Blades design focuses on what beginners need first — standing, moving, balance and helping prevent rear falls.

Balance Blades use a single skate blade featuring front and rear assist areas and a wider, flatter middle section for additional stability.

They are not double-blade skates.

Your child is skating from day one.

Helping Prevent Rear Falls

Rear falls can be one of the hardest parts of learning to skate.

When a beginner starts leaning too far backward, the rear assist area of Balance Blades can engage to help prevent a hard rear fall. If the skater does go down, it can also help make the fall more controlled.

The goal isn't to prevent every fall. Falling is part of learning.

The goal is to give beginners additional support while they're developing the balance and movement needed to skate independently.

Can Balance Blades Be Used in CanSkate?

Yes.

Balance Blades can be used in CanSkate and other Learn to Skate programs. There are no Skate Canada restrictions specific to Balance Blades, and they are used by beginner skaters in programs across Canada and the United States.

Children have taken their first steps, learned to move independently and even earned their CanSkate Balance Ribbons while skating on Balance Blades.

Balance comes first. 💚

Designed to Evolve With Your Child

As a child's balance and skating skills develop, the front and rear assist areas can gradually be reduced through transitional sharpening.

More support when they're beginning.

Less support as their skills develop.

There is no new skating technique to learn. Children use normal skating movements from the beginning while the skate evolves with their abilities.

Their First Experience Matters

Some children take to the ice immediately. Others need more time.

What matters is giving beginners the opportunity to experience success and build confidence through experience.

Help them stand.
Help them move.
Help prevent rear falls.
Help them build confidence.

Before hockey, figure skating or simply skating with family and friends comes one important step:

Learning to skate.

Let them feel what they can do.