Meet Our Coaches!

Scroll down to view a listing of our coaches in alphabetical order (by first name).

In addition to coaching our CanSkate, CanPowerSkate and StarSkate Circuit programs, some of our coaches are trained and available to offer private or semi-private lessons on our StarSkate Open Ice sessions.

Skaters must be registered for StarSkate Open Ice sessions or must purchase a Guest Skating ticket to participate on our Open Ice time. In additional to paying the Almonte and Carleton Place Skating Club for ice usage, skaters are responsible for arranging their own lessons with coaches and remitting payment directly to coaches for those lessons.

Coach Dan

More information coming soon...

Coach Dee (Denise)

More information coming soon...

Coach Emily

My name is Emily and I am available to teach CanSkate in French and English. I have been coaching CanSkate for two years. I am currently a Trained CanSkate Coach, and as the next step in my coaching development, I am working on becoming a Certified CanSkate Coach. I love coaching skating because I have a passion for the sport and an interest in helping others learn and master skating to their highest potential. I believe in fostering a fun and safe learning environment where skaters can be themselves, form memorable experiences, and learn from their mistakes and achievements.

CanSkate is a terrific program for new skaters of all ages who are seeking a fun experience, an opportunity to be physically active, or a steppingstone to any ice-skating sport (hockey, figure skating, speed skating and ringuette). It is rewarding to see my skaters develop and gain confidence on the ice. My goal as a skating coach is to bring out the best in each skater and to lay an encouraging solid foundation for them in this lifelong sport. If you have any questions about skating, feel free to contact me at skatingcoachemily@gmail.com.

Coach Katie

My name is Katie Skerkowski and I have been coaching for 20 years.

My coaching philosophy is to motivate and encourage skaters to reach their fullest potential while having fun. My goal is to pass on my passion for skating to everyone I work with.

I am a Level 3 Trained Coach and am able to coach CanSkate, STARSkate, Competitive Skate (singles & Pairs), Synchro and Adult Skate. I have coached skaters to sectional and provincial medals in singles and have coached skaters from preliminary to gold tests in all disciplines plus diamond dances, as well as competitive freeskate tests. I have also had skaters selected for Youth Camp Development and Jump Start teams.

I have lesson spots available and can be reached at skerkowski@hotmail.com.

Coach Melissa

Melissa Sargent is a Certified Regional Level coach who has been coaching for over 10 years. She participate in the STAR 1 – 5 assessment pilot program. Melissa attends seminars, information sessions and completes Skate Canada’s e-learning courses to stay up to date. Melissa is also a NCCP trained for Special Olympics and Coaching in Ontario Schools. She completed her Bronze Interpretive, Skating Skills Class 1 (Gold), Gold Dance, Gold FreeSkate Elements and Senior Silver Freeskate. Melissa believes in active for life and hopes to compete at the North Amerian ISU Adult event in Ottawa this fall.

Outside of skating Melissa is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Honours Bachelor of Commerce programs. She is an Ontario Chartered Professional Accountant working as a Senior Accountant at an international telecommunications company in Kanata.

Melissa can be reached by email at: mssargen@gmail.com

Coach Natasha

My name is Natasha Peterson, and I have been a Skate Canada Skating Coach since 2001. I am currently CanPower Certified, CanSkate and Primary Starskate Certified (Level 1), and NCCP Intermedate StarSkate trained (Level 2). I also am up to date on my first aid, regular coaching requirements, and am an active member of the Almonte and Carleton Place Executive. My education includes a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Law Clerk diploma.

Skating is such an amazing sport, and I believe it offers something for every type of athlete. Whether the athlete is there to: learn-to-skate, to improve their figure skating, or to build on their skating skills for hockey, or just for some exercise, skating can suit a variety of athletes. Skating can also be modified for athletes who like to work both independently, and as a team.

As a skating coach, I believe in coming prepared with fun, safe and challenging lessons for all ages and abilities, to help each athlete reach their full potential in the direction they wish their skating goals to take them. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have about skating.

I look forward to hearing from you. Natasha.peterson2011@gmail.com

Coach Tracey

More information coming soon...