About this guide

This site is an independent reference that explains how figure skating works.

What this site is

General explanations of skating skills, jumps, scoring and equipment, written for skaters, parents and anyone curious about the sport.

What this site is not

It is not a skating club, it does not run programs or sessions, and it is not affiliated with Skate Canada or the International Skating Union. For official rules, test requirements and technical details, those organizations publish the authoritative documents.

• Getting startedWhat learning to skate usually looks like in Canada: group lessons, basic skills, and when figure skating becomes its own discipline.
• JumpsAxel, Lutz, flip, loop, Salchow and toe loop: which are edge jumps, which are toe jumps, and why the Axel has an extra half rotation.
• ScoringThe ISU Judging System in plain terms: technical element score, program components, base values and grade of execution.
• EquipmentHow figure skating boots and blades differ from recreational skates, why fit and stiffness matter, and how sharpening affects the edge.