Skating

G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre offers many opportunities for public skating on its two ice surfaces, with skate rentals available for most sessions. Please call 250-475-5400 for any skating inquiries.

Skating schedule 

About our programs 

Drop-in skating 

Most public skating sessions are drop-in (no reservation required), and some require a reservation (reserved drop-in) as indicated.

These drop-in skating sessions are included with your Saanich Access Pass or with a paid single admission.

Everyone Welcome Skate: The classic public skating session: a leisurely skate for all ages with no toys or games on the ice. Helmets are strongly recommended.

Adult Skate 19yrs+: An adults-only version of our Everyone Welcome Skate session. Helmets are strongly recommended.

Parent and Tot Ice Play 1-6yrs: Enjoy a skate with your little one, hockey and on ice toys available. Helmets strongly recommended. Parents may use spikes instead of skates.

Parent & Child Hockey Social 5-10yrs: Enjoy hockey time together using sponge pucks (children must be accompanied by an adult, max 2:1 ratio). Helmets, cages and gloves are mandatory for children. Full gear is recommended.

Stick & Puck 19yrs+: Enjoy shooting on the net in this Reserved Drop-In! You can reserve up to 7 days prior to session. Helmet, gloves, and stick are mandatory

Adult Figure Skating 19yrs+: An open session for all levels of figure skating with an attendant available to help you master your skills.

All Drop-in Stick & Puck sessions are moving to reserved drop-in

We’ve had such a great response to Drop-in Stick & Puck sessions that we’re transitioning them to reserved drop-in. Available to reserve 7 days in advance at 7:30am.

Equipment information and rentals 

G.R. Pearkes' Skate Shop offers skate and spike rentals for lessons and most public skating sessions.

  • We highly recommend helmets for all skating activities. There are limited complimentary helmets available; please bring your own when possible
  • Helmets and gloves are mandatory for all skating lessons. Limited complimentary helmets are available; please bring your own when possible
  • Wheelchairs and baby strollers are welcome; please see the ice attendant for rules and guidelines. Those pushing must be wearing skates. Do not leave an occupied device unattended.

Skate rentals

Skate sharpening

  • Must pay and drop off skates at Reception
  • $5.50 per pair

For Ice rental information, click here

Skating lessons 

Lace up your skates and glide into fun with our Skating programs, where icy adventures begin! Tailored for all ages and experience levels, our classes cover everything from firsttime balancing to spins and building fast-paced hockey skills. Our skilled instructors ensure you're skating safely while having the absolute best time out on the ice.

Register for skating lessons

Registration information

Lesson prerequisites

Most skating lessons in Saanich require a prerequisite - a complete report card for a lower-level class. This is to help place students in the most appropriate classes and ensure success by increasing skill levels.

SKATING LESSON PREREQUISITES
If your child is registering in lessons for the FIRST TIME. No prerequisite is required for Adult and Tot, Stepping Up, Preschool 1 and School Age 1 classes.
If your child has participated in skating lessons with Saanich SINCE 2019. Your child's previous class report cards have been recorded in RecOnline. Please check your child's records online BEFORE registration opens.
If your child has participated in skating lessons with Saanich BEFORE 2019. Please call G.R. Pearkes to have your child's records added to RecOnline BEFORE registration opens.
If your child HAS NOT participated in skating lessons with Saanich, but has with another municipality. Please bring in your child's most recent report card to G.R. Pearkes to have your child's records added to Rec Online BEFORE registration opens!

Please contact customer service at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre in person, or by phone at 250-475-5400 for more information. 

Skating lesson descriptions

ADULT AND TOT LESSONS (2-5yrs): First-timers learn the basics of balancing on two feet, touching their toes, marching, falling down, and getting back up. The instructor will circulate and provide assistance to the group. Helmets are mandatory for children and adults. Adults can wear skates or spikes, available at the skate shop. No Prerequisites.

STEPPING UP TO SKATING LESSONS (30mths-5yrs): This is the perfect stepping stone to independent skating. Children and their caregiver both go on the ice with the goal of skaters learning to stay with the instructor independently. No Prerequisites.

PRESCHOOL 1 (3-5yrs): Participants will build confidence and have fun on the ice while learning basic skating skills, including balancing on two feet, touching their toes, walking forward, marching, and falling down and getting back up. No Adult participation. No Prerequisites.

PRESCHOOL 2 (3-5yrs): This class is for children who can skate independently 100% of the time. Skaters will learn how to make snow, jump on the spot, walk backwards, do two-foot glides, and receive an introduction to v-pushes. No Adult participation. Prerequisite: Preschool 1, Stepping Up, or Adult & Tot.

PRESCHOOL 3 (3-5yrs): In this level, skaters will learn V-pushes, one-foot gliding, twofoot jumps while gliding, walking backward with some glide, two-foot quarter-turns on the spot and stopping. No Adult participation. Prerequisite: Preschool 2.

PRESCHOOL 4 (3-5yrs): At this preschool level, your child will learn two-foot glides on a curve, an introduction to walking cross-cuts, backward skating, and an introduction to backward stopping. No Adult participation. Prerequisite: Preschool 3.

SCHOOL AGE 1 (6-12yrs): This beginner, school-age level will build your child's confidence on the ice. Skills covered include forward gliding, marching forward, making snow, falling down and getting up, and walking backwards. No Adult participation. No Prerequisite.

SCHOOL AGE 2 (6-12yrs): This class is for children who can skate independently. Skills include forward sculling,,one-foot or forward glides, stopping, walking backwards with some glide, two-foot jumps while gliding, and an introduction to edges. Prerequisite: School Age 1 or Preschool.

SCHOOL AGE 3 (6-12yrs): Children will learn skills including one-foot glides on a curve, forward walking cross-cuts, backwards skating and sculling, half turns on the spot, and snowplow stoр. Prerequisite: School Age 2 or Preschool 4.

SCHOOL AGE 4 (6-12yrs): Children will learn skills including two-foot stops, an introduction to forward cross-cuts, turning from forward to backward and backward to forward, two-foot jumps in a glide backward, and backward one-foot glides. Prerequisite: School Age 3.

SCHOOL AGE 5 (6-12yrs): Children will learn skills including backward transitions (c-steр turns), two-foot stops in both directions, one-foot jump glides forward, forward cross cuts, and backward one-foot glides on the circle. Prerequisite: School Age 4.

SCHOOL AGE 6 (6-12yrs): Children will learn skills including backward cross-cuts (clockwise and counter-clockwise), one-foot side stops in both directions, forward outside edges, tight turns with speed, or two-foot spins, pivots, and one-foot jump forward to backward. Prerequisite: School Age 5.

SCHOOL AGE 7 (6-12yrs): This course is designed for participants who have completed school-age level 6 and want an additional challenge.

HOME LEARNERS LESSON (5-15yrs): This program is specifically for home learners. This class is inclusive and will be tailored to the needs of the participants. Children may be divided based on age and level.

FAMILY SKATE LESSON: Enjoy time together on the ice and learn to skate in this family class! A qualified instructor welcomes you and up to four additional family members. At least one adult must be on the ice during the lesson.

PRE-SET PRIVATE SKATING LESSONS 3-17yrs: Up to three friends or family members can learn together with a qualified instructor. The registrant is required to organize all participants. The same participants must attend each week.

LEARN TO FIGURE SKATE 5-10yrs: Learn the basics of figure skating and progress to spins and an introduction to jumping using toe picks. Skaters must have basic skating skills. Prerequisite: Preschool 3 or School Age 2.

YOUTH SKATING LESSON 11-16yrs: Want to learn to skate? Afraid to skate? This is the lesson for you. You will learn the basics of skating from falling safely to stopping and going backwards. The instructor will help you achieve your goals. No prerequisites, just a desire to have some fun!

YOUTH LEARN TO FIGURE SKATE 11-16yrs: This class is great for trying something new! Learn the basics of Figure Skating and progress into spins and an introduction to jumping using toe-picks. Youth Skating Lesson or other skating lessons recommended as prerequisite, but not required. Skater must have basic skating skills, and a desire to have some fun!

TOT HOCKEY 3-6yrs: Tots learn basic hockey skills in a fun and encouraging class. Full gear required. Prerequisite: Preschool 2.

INTRO TO HOCKEY 6-12yrs: A class for skaters interested in learning basics of hockey. You'll stick handle, pass, shoot, and scrimmage. Helmet with a face cage, shin pads and gloves mandatory. Not suggested for minor hockey players. Prerequisite: School Age 1 or equivalent.

PEARKES HOCKEY PROGRAM: 7-13yrs Non-contact hockey for comfortable skaters focused on skill development while having fun. Learn new skills and play some games-full hockey gear required. Contact Geralyn Nonesa at 250-475-5468 if you would like to try goalie gear. No Minor Hockey players. Prerequisite: School Age 2.

ADULT SKATE LESSON: 16+yrs Improve your level of comfort while learning basic gliding, stopping and intro to backward skating. And if you are looking to challenge yourself, learn striding, turning, new stops, backwards skating and crossovers. The instructor will help you achieve your goals. Helmets are mandatory.

ADULT INTRO TO HOCKEY: 16yrs+ A class for skaters interested in learning basics of hockey without all the gear. In this fun, non-competitive class you will stick-handle, pass, shoot, and scrimmage. Shin pads recommended. CSA approved hockey helmet and gloves mandatory.

ADULT HOCKEY SKILLS: 19yrs+ This fun class allows you to improve your passing, stick handling, shooting skills, and ends with an informal scrimmage. Full gear required.

WOMEN'S REGISTERED HOCKEY 19yrs+: This program is offered for beginner and intermediate players and will be based on skill and development, with modified gameplay and stick checks only. Full gear required. The third and fourth goalies registered will be the backup goalies only. The Programmer will confirm registration order. For more information, call 250-475-5400.

 

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