Oak Bay skating & hockey offers an exciting experience at the Oak Bay Arena. From beginner skating to advanced hockey, we offer a variety of programs for preschool-aged children to adults.
Skating
Skating session schedules, descriptions and holiday skating information is below.
Learn to Skate
Introducing Greater Victoria’s Active Communities Learn to Skate Program at Oak Bay.
Oak Bay Recreation’s Learn to Skate program is for children and teens who want to improve their skating. The Learn to Skate program caters to preschool and school-aged children and teens at any level who are wanting to improve their skating in a fun and motivating way.
The Greater Victoria Active Communities Learn to Skate Program is offered at all seven municipalities of Greater Victoria. The Learn to Skate Program has been streamlined and designed so that any preschool or school-aged child can have their accomplishments transferred from centre to centre. This program is a badge incentive program that emphasizes the importance of comprehensive feedback through report cards.
The skater-to-instructor ratio on the ice ensures that the skaters will learn and improve their skating skills. CSA-approved helmets are mandatory for the lessons. Helmets are available at no charge from the Skate Shop.
Active Communities Learn to Skate program was created as an initiative to standardize the recreational component of learning to skate.
Preschool Skating Lessons
Preschool One
No Prerequisite. This class utilizes a 1:4 instructor-to-participant ratio to ensure that the child builds confidence and has fun on the ice. Participants will be taught basic skating skills, including balancing on two feet, touching toes, walking forward, marching, and falling down and getting up. Parent and Tot is not a prerequisite.
Preschool Two
Prerequisite: Preschool One. This class is for children who can skate independently. Skills include gliding, two-foot jumps, making snow, and walking backwards.
Preschool Three
Prerequisite: Preschool Two. Children will learn skills in this course including v-pushes, one-foot gliding, two-foot jump while gliding, walking backwards with some glide, two-foot quarter turns on the spot, and stopping.
Preschool Four
Prerequisite: Preschool Three. Children will learn skills in this course including two-foot glides on a curve, walking cross cuts, backward sculling, and backward stopping. Children that complete Preschool 4 will move on to Skate 3 regardless of age.
Children's Skating Lessons
Skate One
No Prerequisite. This class is 30 minutes. This class is for children who do not have a lot of skating experience. It utilizes a 1:5 Instructor-to-participant ratio to ensure that your child builds confidence on the ice. Skills covered are forward gliding, marching forward, making snow, falling down and getting up, and walking backward.
Skate Two
Prerequisite: Skate One. This class is for children who can skate independently. Skills covered: forward sculling, one-foot forward glides, stopping, walking backwards with some glide, and two-foot half turns on the spot.
Skate Three
Prerequisite: Preschool One or Preschool Four. Children will learn skills including one-foot glides on a curve, forward walking cross cuts, backward skating and sculling, two-foot backward glide to one foot, and snowplow stop.
Skate Four
Prerequisite: Skate Three. Children will learn skills in this course including two-foot stop, forward crosscuts, turning forward to backward and backward to forward, and two-foot jump in a glide backward.
Skate Five
Prerequisite: Skate Four. Children will learn skills in this course including backward Mohawk turn, two-foot stop in both directions, one-foot jump gliding forward, fast backward start and fast forward start from back stop.
Skate Six
Prerequisite: Skate Five. Learn to Skate Six introduces advanced skating skills while continuing to focus on and enhance acquired skills. This class allows participants the opportunity to request specific skills they would like to focus on during unstructured practice time with instructor supervision.
Pro D-Day and Holiday Skates
Pro D Day Skates - 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 14, 2025
Holiday Skates - 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Family Day Skate – Monday, February 17, 2025.
Spring Break Extra Skates (March 17-28, 2025)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
March 18, 20, 25 & 27, 2025
Hockey
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture offers a variety of hockey programs and drop-in leagues for different ages and skill levels. Learn more below.
Novice Hockey League (NHL)
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture’s Novice Hockey League is a program focused on sportsmanship, skill development, and fun for boys and girls aged 5-14 years. Emphasizing skills like skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and team play, the league aims to build a strong foundation. Founded 30 years ago by Bob Nicholson, the program prioritizes teamwork, skill development, and enjoyment.
The NHL program runs annually from September to March. Full gear, including a CSA-approved helmet and face mask, is required. Free hockey equipment is available to those registered in the Novice Hockey League program or any Oak Bay Hockey program.
Contact the Sports Department at 250-370-7113 or 250-370-7114 for details. Program availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at XPLOR.
Children aged 3-5 years can join the NHL Pond Puppies Preschool Hockey to learn hockey basics in a supportive environment.
Current Team Schedules
Duffer Hockey
Registered Duffer Hockey is a full hockey scrimmage with players, one staff member and two goalies. Full gear is mandatory. A visor or cage, neck guard and shoulder pads are highly recommended.
Over 18's
Over 18’s Duffer Hockey runs from 11:45am-1:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Registration Guidelines:
- Players can register online starting at 6:45pm the day before the sessions.
- Goalies 18 yrs+ play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Over 40's
Over 40’s Duffer Hockey runs from 8:30-10:15am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Registration Guidelines:
Players can register online starting at 6:30pm the day before they want to play.
Goalies 40 yrs+ play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Goalies 18 yrs+ play for free and may register up to one week in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Over 50's
Over 50’s Duffer Hockey runs from 8:30-9:45am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Registration Guidelines:
Players can register online starting at 6:30pm the day before they want to play.
Goalies 50 yrs+ play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Goalies 18 yrs+ play for free and may register up to one week in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Over 60's
Over 60’s Duffer Hockey runs from 10:30-11:45am Mondays & 11:45am-1:15pm on Fridays.
Registration Guidelines:
- Players can register online starting at 6:30pm on Sundays for the Monday sessions and at 6:45pm on Thursday for the Friday Session.
- Goalies 60 yrs+ play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
- Goalies 18 yrs+ play for free and may register up to one week in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Summer Duffer Hockey
Over 18'S SUMMER
Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (July-August)
Registration Guidelines:
- Players can register online starting at 6:00pm the day before they want to play.
- Players must arrive in person 10 minutes prior to the start of the session to keep their spot.
- Goalies play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Over 40'S SUMMER
Sundays from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. (July-August)
Registration Guidelines:
- Players can register online starting at 6:30pm the day before they want to play.
- Players must arrive in person 10 minutes prior to the start of the session to keep their spot.
- Goalies over 40 play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person
- Goalies over 18 play for free and may register up to one week in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Over 60's Summer Duffer Hockey
Sundays from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. (July-August)
Registration Guidelines:
- Players can register online starting at 6:00pm the day before they want to play.
- Players must arrive in person 10 minutes prior to the start of the session to keep their spot.
- Goalies over 60 play for free and may register up to two weeks in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person
- Goalies over 18 play for free and may register up to one week in advance online, over the phone (250-595-7946), or in person.
Adult Hockey League
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture is pleased to provide the most affordable recreational adult hockey programming in the Lower Island. This league offers a great non-contact recreational hockey program year-round. Players of all abilities are welcome to join the league. Learn more on our Sports Leagues Webpage.
Power Skating
Power Unlimited with Dennise Bowles
Dennise brings many years of experience and expertise to these programs. Denise has worked with Victoria’s best hockey players, helping them reach the BCJHL, WHL, NCAA, ECHL, AHL, and NHL. Come out and take your game to the next level. Balance, acceleration, agility, speed, explosive starts, edge control, and game stride are all part of this challenging and rewarding program. Power Unlimited offers high-quality instruction with a dedication to the improvement of each student. Skaters must be comfortable on the ice, with skating experience either with a hockey team or having completed Level Four of the Learn to Skate program. This program is not for beginners, and is geared towards hockey, with a requirement of full hockey gear on the ice.
Custom Private Lessons
Ice times are limited, please contact Dennise for more information about times and costs.
For more information about Dennise and her programs visit PowerUnlimited.ca