On a chilly Saturday morning at Seven Oaks Arena, the atmosphere was warm and full of excitement as a group of young skaters, aged 4 to 12, took to the ice for their first skating lesson. Their faces were a mix of excitement and a touch of nervousness. On the sidelines, parents were watching eagerly, capturing the milestone moment with their cameras and smartphones.
As part of a new Filipino winter sports initiative to get more children involved in ice sports, Seven Oaks Arena partnered with The Filipino Journal to promote a Kids/Tots and Youth Learn To Skate Program in the community. This flagship CanSkate learn-to-skate program has a long and successful history of helping Canadians of all ages reach their recreational and competitive goals on the ice. Now, it was time for the kids and youth at Seven Oaks Arena to experience the magic of CanSkate.
The Kids/Tots & Youth Learn to Skate (LTS) program at Seven Oaks Arena was led by Tanya Pilat, the Program Coordinator of the ESPSC. Tanya, along with her team of NCCP-certified coaches trained through Skate Canada, was committed to providing top-notch skating instruction in a fun and friendly environment. The program was designed to help young skaters develop balance, control, and agility skills needed to succeed on the ice.
Parents in the stands were thrilled to see their children take their first steps on the ice. It was a special moment that filled them with pride and anticipation for the future.
In addition to developing a strong foundation in skating, the CanSkate program at Seven Oaks Arena also introduced the children to a healthy, lifelong activity at an early age. Skating is a great way for kids to stay active and have fun simultaneously. Who knows, among the group might be a future figure skating champion or a star player in the National Hockey League!
Whether your child dreams of reaching the Olympics, playing in the NHL, or simply enjoying the thrill of skating for recreation and fitness, the CanSkate program at Seven Oaks Arena was the perfect starting point. So, lace up those skates, hit the ice, and enjoy the journey!
Photos by: Reggie Yao-Escoto
