As part of the process of aligning the synchronized skating discipline with Skate Canada’s new LTD all categories and ages have undergone a review. Based on the review and recommendations from the Technical Coordinating Committee, Program Development Committee and the Sport Committees’ Synchro Working Group, the following are the categories and age requirements for the 2022-2023 season:
| Category | Age & Assessment Requirements |
| STAR 3 Elements | No Age Requirements All skaters must have successfully completed STAR 1 Skills (2023-2024 Implementation) |
| STAR 4 Program | No Age Requirements. May group by age if numbers warrant as follows: At least 75% of skaters must not have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition. (U12) AND At least 75% of skaters must have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition. (12+) All skaters must have successfully completed STAR 1 Skills (2023-2024 Implementation) |
| Juvenile (STAR 6) | Skaters must not have reached the age of 15 and at least 75% of the skaters must not have reached the age of 13 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Pre-Novice (STAR 8) | Skaters must not have reached the age of 18 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Intermediate (Gold) | Skaters must not have reached the age of 19 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Open | Skaters must have reached the age of 15 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Novice | Skaters must not have reached the age of 16 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Junior | Must meet ISU Junior age criteria (skaters must have reached the age of 13 but must not have reached the age of 19 before July 1 preceding the competition). |
| Senior | Skaters must have reached at least the age of 15 as of July 1 preceding the competition |
| Adult I | Skaters must have reached the age of 18 before July 1 preceding the competition. |
| Adult II | Skaters must have reached the age of 18 before July 1 preceding the competition and at least 75% of the skaters must have reached the age of 25 before July 1 preceding the competition |
| Adult III | Skaters must have reached the age of 18 before July 1 preceding the competition and at least 75% of the skaters must have reached the age of 35 before July 1 preceding the competition |
Additional Information on Changes:
STAR 3 & 4
STAR 3 and 4 Synchronized Skating categories are being introduced for the 2022-2023 season. These categories replace Beginner and Elementary. They were developed based on the STAR synchronized skating assessment structure launched in 2020. Together with the assessments these categories aim to support the entry to the Learn to Train stage of development in the Skate Canada Long Term Development (LTD) Framework by focusing on synchronized skating fundamentals.
STAR 3 is an elements event that is assessed to standard for teams of 6 to 12 skaters. STAR 4 is a program that is assessed to standard with ranking for teams of 8 to 16 skaters. Both categories do not have age restrictions, however clubs may choose to group skaters of similar age together if they have more than one team. In STAR 4, if numbers warrant the Section may choose to divide the event into two age groupings:
- U12: At least 75% of skaters must not have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- Over 12: At least 75% of skaters must have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
Starting in the 2023-2024 season, to compete in either STAR 3 or STAR 4 synchronized skating all skaters must have completed their STAR 1 Skills assessment. This requirement has been added to ensure a focus on individual fundamental skating skills prior to starting elements in hold. This aligns with other disciplines that have an assessment entry requirement.
Skaters at the STAR 1-5 level must be introduced to all disciplines.
Pre-Juvenile
The Pre-Juvenile Synchronized Skating category has been removed. It was determined that STAR 4 develops the same program requirements. Skaters at this stage should be focusing on the development of foundational skating skills in conjunction with an introduction to synchronized skating elements. This aligns with changes in other disciplines, including the removal of the Pre-Juvenile Pairs category and the Pre-Juvenile Free Dance.
Naming of Categories
As part of the alignment of synchronized skating to the LTD, several categories will start to include their respective STAR level in brackets
These categories and ages will be updated in the Skate Canada Rules for the start of the new season (July 1st). Program Requirements are currently under review and will be communicated as soon as they are approved.