Policies

Skate Canada’s mission is to be a leader in the delivery of skating programs and to have a continuing legacy of champions. In order to achieve this goal, it is critical that best in class programs are developed and executed by Skate Canada, our clubs, skating schools and coaches. This is facilitated, in part, through the collection of a fee from all those who participate. The registrant fee is shared equally between Skate Canada and our Sections in carrying out our respective objectives.

The Skate Canada Registrant Fee is collected from each participant in a Skate Canada program. The fee is collected once per year through the registrant's skating club. The fee provides the registrant with insurance while participating in a Skate Canada program. For the 2022-2023 season, the fee covers September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

The Skate Canada fee is mandatory and non-refundable. The fee for the 2023-2024 season is $58.70 per registrant.

Participants are to attend all classes as scheduled for the program in which they are registered. In the event that a participant is unable to attend a scheduled class(es), make-up classes, refunds, or credits for the missed class(es) will not be provided.

This policy is presented for acceptance at the time of registration.

Rideau Skating Club adheres to the Skate Canada's helmet use policy. The helmet use policy is outlined on the Skate Canada website (www.skatecanada.ca) in the Safe Sport Guide.

The full Safe Sport Guide can be found at the following link: Safe Sport Guide (skatecanada.ca)

• Skaters working on STAGE 5 and below, as well as skaters in the CanPowerSkate program, MUST wear a CSA approved hockey helmet with a valid expiry date.
• Skaters working on STAGE 6 or higher may choose to continue to wear a helmet at their discretion. The skater, parent/guardian have the final say as to whether or not the skater will or will not wear a helmet.
• Skaters, regardless of age, who lack good control/balance when skating forward, backwards and have difficulty stopping, as well as maneuvering around obstacles on the ice are required to wear a CSA approved hockey helmet with a valid expiry date.
• The helmet policy is not optional for clubs. Failure to meet the Skate Canada helmet policy, in programs that require a helmet, will result in the skater being refused entry to the ice surface or being escorted off the ice.

See the full Helmet policy at Helmet Policy.pdf

This policy is presented for acceptance at the time of registration.

All requests for program withdrawals and/or refunds must be done in writing to info@rideauskating.ca. We do not accept in person or over the phone withdrawal or refund requests. 

See the full Refund Policy at Refund Policy.pdf

All requests for program changes must be done in writing to info@rideauskating.ca. We do not accept in person or over the phone program changes. 

POLICY statement:

Participant request: 

• Participants in the Pre-CanSkate/CanSkate programs may request one (1) change/per season with no additional fee.
  • Subsequent changes will be charged $15/per change.
• Participants in the STARSkate program may request up to two (2) program changes/per season with no additional fee.
  • Subsequent changes will be charged $15/per change.

Coach request: 

Coach recommended changes (ie. transfers from CanSkate to STARSkate) will not be charged a fee (except the difference in program costs).

See the full Program Change Policy at Change of Program Policy.pdf

This policy is presented for acceptance at the time of registration.

Privacy Policy Appendix A: Notice of Collection Statement

Your privacy and the protection of your personal information is important to us. Your personal information is required to register you with Skate Canada in any capacity, including, without limitation, as a Skate Canada registrant, coach or in connection with your affiliation with a skating club or skating school and to administer various services, such as Skate Canada events. Your personal information may also be exchanged with Skate Canada affiliates which includes your local skating club or skating school or provincial association or section. By accepting this policy, you expressly provide your consent to the sharing of your personal information with Skate Canada and as described herein for purposes of registration and receipt of national services delivered by Skate Canada. We adopt the 10 Fair Information Principles into our privacy program, and employ reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access, processing, disclosure, alteration, destruction or loss of your personal information. 

See the full Privacy Policy at Privacy Policy.pdf

POLICY statement:

Rideau Skating Club, from time to time, takes photographs or videos of the skaters. Any photograph or video may be included on our website or social media pages, in the local newspapers, or any other Club related document, information sheet or advertising relating to the Club. The use of photographs and video will be limited to these purposes.

This policy applies to those who have not opted out at registration.

See the full Media Policy at Media Policypdf

This policy is presented for acceptance at the time of registration.

POLICY statement:

Rideau Skating Club (RSC) is committed to ensuring a quality experience for all members.

All members of Rideau Skating Club are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values of RSC which include integrity, inclusiveness and collaboration.

All members have the right to a safe environment both on and off the ice. As such, verbal and/or physical abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in immediate suspension.

• Members shall treat all individuals and property with dignity and respect, including but not limited to peers, athletes, coaches, officials, parents, opponents, sponsors, media, and spectators and event organizers.

• Members shall refrain from any behaviour or comments, which are sexist, racist, abusive, disrespectful or otherwise offensive.

• Members shall avoid any conduct, which brings Rideau Skating Club into disrepute, including but not limited to abusive use of alcohol, non-medical use of drugs and use of alcohol by minors and gambling.

• Only members in good standing with the skating club will be allowed to participate in club programs, take assessments (STARSkate) or compete in club competitions. Members not in good standing may be suspended at the Board’s discretion.

• Parents of skaters are responsible for the behaviour of their child during all sessions.

• Damaging the ice surface (i.e., kicking, stomping, picking, or making holes) is NOT permitted.

• Pushing, tripping, horseplay, tag, lying on the ice, or intentional interference with other skaters is NOT permitted on the ice or elsewhere in the arena.

• Violent or aggressive acts such as hitting, spitting, biting, or kicking others is NOT permitted on the ice or elsewhere in the arena.

• Skaters are not allowed to leave the ice surface without a coach’s permission.

• Members shall at all times adhere to the policies and procedures of Rideau Skating Club.

Three Strike Violation Rule

If a member is in violation of the code of conduct:

1. Member will be verbally warned

2. Member will be warned again with written letters to skater, parent and if applicable, coach.

3. Member will be suspended at the Board’s discretion.

If the behaviour of a member is deemed by the Board to be in serious breech of conduct, at the Board’s discretion said member may be immediately suspended.

In cases of suspension NO REFUNDS of any kind will be granted.

All complaints or concerns must be addressed to the Board in writing, either given by hand to a Board member or by email to the club. A decision, if required, will be made at the next scheduled Board meeting or sooner dependent upon the severity of the situation. Board members must not be sought out individually at the arena, their home, or place of business to verbally register complaints.

See the full Code of Conduct Policy at Member Code of Conduct.pdf

Rideau Skating Club follows Skate Canada’s National Safe Sport Program

See the program at Skate Canada Safe Sport

The recognition of concussion in sport is coming to the forefront of injury in sport. More and more scientific and public press attention is paid to this injury, and our knowledge of the causation, effects and outcomes of concussion injury is expanding daily. Skate Canada and its medical team recognize the importance and need for athletes, parents, coaches and other team members to rapidly and appropriately recognize and respond to a concussion injury. 

There are Skate Canada and Skate Canada Central Ontario policies currently available for parents, skaters and coaches to reference, and links for these are provided below.

Please note that this information is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to and does not constitute any medical advice and does not contain any medical diagnoses, symptom assessments or medical opinions.

Skate Canada Concussion Policy
Skate Ontario Concussion Policy
Rideau Skating Club's Concussion Resources Page, Rowan's Law