Our Coaches

Skate Oakville carefully selects coaches who represent our mission of nurturing a culture that supports skating in a fun and friendly environment and that challenges everyone to perform at their very best. They are also all certified through Canada’s governing body of skating and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) so you can be assured you are getting high quality coaching.

When choosing a coach there are several things to consider; cost, availability and qualifications. Please explore details below and feel free to make further inquiries to assure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Cost

Coaches rates will vary based on qualifications and experience. On average you can expect to pay anywhere from $8.00 - $12.00 for a 10 minute private lesson. Keep in mind that rates will vary if there is more than one person in the group (semi private or group instruction) and length of the lesson (10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more). If you are unsure and are shopping around, be sure to ask the coach for a fee schedule before committing to any lessons.

Availability

Check to see if the coach is available on the sessions you are planning to skate on. If you are interested in a specific coach, check their availability first and then try to skate on those sessions. If skating on a certain day is more important, register for the session and then check with the coach, or Skating Club office for coach’s availability.

Qualifications

All coaches are required to be registered with Skate Canada, the governing body of skating in Canada. This insures they are qualified as coaches, have current first aid and are insured. The standard qualification levels are mandated by the Coaches Association of Canada and are based on the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Coaches are designated through certification as CanSkate coaches or NCCP Levels (1,2,3,4,5). As a point of reference you need to be Level 4 to coach at an Olympic games. Coaches are also required to participate in the Coaches Education Program (CEP). In this program they are rewarded points for participating in various types of activities such as Leadership, Continuous Education, Seminars, Conventions, workshops, planning, etc. Every two years the Coaches are rated Gold, Silver or Bronze based on the points they have accumulated.

Learn To Skate Session Conveners

Deborah D’Alfonso

deborah.dalfonso@hotmail.co.uk 647-862-4138 Level of Certification: Primary Starskate certified, CCP Level 1, CEP Silver Status Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training Figure skater for over 10 years, singles and synchro. Coaching for 10+ years, both recreational … Read More

Kathy Hannaford

khannaford@bell.net 905-973-5179 Level of Certification: High Five trained, Level 2 Certified Singles Rate: $54/hour Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training I am currently in my 28th year of professional coaching. I also skated and travelled with Disney on Ice … Read More

Robin Miller

robingmiller@icloud.com 905-464-5040 Level of Certification: NCCP 2 certified, Canpowerskating certified, Special Olympics certified, CanSkate Certified Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training Coaching in Oakville since age of 16 yrs old Gold medalist Competed novice … Read More

Lee Varteressian

leevskates@gmail.com 289-242-9010 Level of Certification: Level 3 Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training Triple Gold Medalist Teaching in Oakville since I was 16 Competed at the Junior Level in free skate and figures I teach … Read More

Mary Warren

m.warren58@hotmail.com Level of Certification: Level 2 Certified in Freeskate, Skills and Dance Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training 30 years coaching Learn to Skate and Starskate. 20 years Learn to Skate Convenor. Attend various Coaching … Read More

Tracey Freitas

traceypacheco@rogers.com Rate: $52.00/hour Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training I have been coaching with Skate Oakville for over 15 years, and over those years I have taught skaters at all levels, and in many disciplines. My passion is choreography … Read More

Learn To Skate Coaches

Jennifer Court

jennifer.a.court@gmail.com Level of Certification: NCCP Level 1 Certified Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training I have been a member with Skate Oakville since the age of seven. I competed in ice dance for 5 … Read More

Karon Dalby

kskates@icloud.com 416-576-5490 Level of Certification: Level 3 National Coach, Level 4 Tasks in Progress, Certified Special Olympics, Certified Power Skating Rate: Contact for details Coaching Experience, Skating Background and Additional Training: 30+ years of coaching in all … Read More