Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right program depends primarily on your skater’s skating ability and experience, rather than their age. Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club offers programs for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced competitive skaters.

• First Strides – Learn to Skate (Levels 1–4): Designed for skaters who are learning to skate or developing their basic skating skills. Whether you or your child is stepping onto the ice for the first time or is already skating independently, this program focuses on balance, confidence, stopping, gliding, and basic skating techniques.
• Fast Strides – Learn to Speed Skate (Levels 5–10): For skaters who already have basic skating skills and are ready to learn speed skating. Skaters develop their technique, speed, cornering, and racing skills while progressing through six levels.
• Competitive 100 & Competitive 111: For more experienced speed skaters who want to improve their racing skills, increase their speed, and participate in competitions. Skaters are placed in the appropriate group based on their age, ability and development.

Not sure where you or your child belongs? No problem! Our coaches can assess skating ability and help determine the best starting point. Skaters can move between groups as their skills develop, ensuring they are always learning at a level that is both comfortable and challenging.

First Strides – Learn to skate
Skaters looking to learn basic skating skills will work their way through four levels of the First Strides segment of the program. Coaches will guide participants through each skating milestone – from their first steps on the ice, to gliding forward and backward around the rink. Levels 1-4 of the program are delivered on ice skates.

Fast Strides – Learn to speed skate
Skaters looking to add speed to their skill set will advance through six levels of the Fast Strides segment of the program. Coaches will teach participants how to race on ice, preparing them for friendly competitions or for participation in speed skating events. Levels 5-10 of the program are delivered on speed skates with full safety equipment.

Our First & Fast Strides programs follow Speed Skating Canada’s nationally developed skating curriculum, which includes 10 progressive levels:

• First Strides (Levels 1–4): Focuses on fundamental skating skills, including balance, gliding, stopping, and skating forwards and backwards.
• Fast Strides (Levels 5–10): Builds on those fundamentals by introducing speed skating techniques, cornering, crossovers, and racing skills.

Each level has clearly defined skills that skaters work toward mastering. Our coaches assess each skater’s progress and track their achievements using First & Fast Strides Skater Progress Cards.

As skaters successfully demonstrate the required skills, their achievements are recorded. Once they complete a level, they can earn recognition through achievement stickers, pins, or certificates.

Every skater progresses at their own pace. Our focus is on building confidence, developing skills, and celebrating accomplishments along the way!

To ensure you or your child has a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience on the ice, please bring the following:

• Skates: Properly fitted skates that provide good ankle support. Club-provided speed skates may be available depending on the program and availability.
• Helmet: A properly fitted, securely fastened helmet that meets the club’s safety requirements.
• Warm, comfortable clothing: Dress in layers that allow freedom of movement. Athletic pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a light jacket are recommended. Avoid bulky winter clothing or jeans that restrict movement.
• Gloves: Warm, well-fitting gloves that allow skaters to move their hands comfortably.
• Protective equipment: Any additional safety equipment required for the program, such as neck protection, shin guards, or cut-resistant protection.
• Water bottle: Skating is great exercise! Bring a labelled water bottle to help stay hydrated.

A few helpful tips:

Arrive 15–20 minutes before your lesson to allow enough time to get dressed, put on skates, and be ready when practice begins. If you or your child is borrowing club skates, allow a little extra time for fitting.

Not sure what equipment you or your child needs? Our coaches are happy to help! Visit our Equipment and Skate Rental pages for more information about required safety gear and available club equipment.

These terms represent the first three stages of Canada’s Long-Term Development (LTD) framework. Speed Skating Canada uses this framework to ensure that young skaters develop the right skills at the right age, focusing on long-term success and fun rather than early, high-pressure competition.

In our club, these stages are delivered directly on the ice through the First & Fast Strides program:

• Active Start (Ages 0–6): This stage is all about falling in love with the ice through unstructured play. Skaters learn basic balance, how to get up after falling, and how to move forward while having fun. (Aligned with First Strides).
• FUNdamentals (Ages 6–9): Skaters build their “ABCs”—Agility, Balance, Coordination, and Speed. Instead of focusing strictly on racing, drills are designed as games to develop a deep edge control, rhythm, and overall athleticism. (Aligned with First Strides and early Fast Strides).
• Learn to Train (Ages 8–12): Often called the “golden age of motor learning,” this is where skaters transition into true speed skating. They learn to handle actual speed skates, master the basic technical and tactical skills of racing, and learn how to train safely in a pack. (Aligned with Fast Strides).

Speed skates are sharpened differently from hockey or figure skates. They require a specialized flat-grind sharpening process using a sharpening jig and stones to maintain the proper blade edges.

Never take your speed skates to a regular skate sharpening shop that uses a traditional hockey skate sharpening machine. These machines create a hollow in the blade, which can damage the skating surface of speed skates and affect performance.

Sharpening speed skates is a skill that can be learned with a little practice. If you’re new to speed skating or unsure how to sharpen your skates, ask one of our coaches or experienced club members for guidance. We’re happy to help you learn how to properly maintain your blades.

Skate sharpening & maintenance