Roller Derby 101: Everything you need to take it to the track!
Hey there, Skaters!
So you’ve gotten really into roller skating over quarantine. Maybe you were lucky enough to snag a pair of skates during the skate drought of 2020, or maybe you dusted off an old pair of quads from the depths or your grandma’s attic. You’ve been skating alone for the last year or so inside your apartment and through your neighborhood. Sometimes hitting the boardwalk or the skatepark with your friends six feet apart. You’ve fallen in love with the magical floating feeling of having wheels under your feet, and you’re hungry for more. If you’re looking for a way to strengthen your confidence and skills on wheels and love working with a team to accomplish goals, then roller derby might be perfect for you!
Roller derby is a full contact sport played on roller-skates that requires teamwork and athleticism. With more and more skaters getting vaccinated, some leagues will soon be returning to practice and you may be wondering what you need to get started. Most roller derby leagues require full protective gear for all practices.
Here is a simple list of my favorite derby gear:
Sisu Mouth Guard: These boil-and-bite mouth guards are comfortable and colorful. You can easily talk and drink without removing your mouthguard, which is ideal for the derby track, where communication and hydration are most crucial!
S1 Lifer Helmet: These helmets are both comfortable and cute and I love how easy it is to change the internal padding to get a perfect fit.
Black 187 Killer Pad Set (Wrist, knees, elbows): This pad set is protective enough to cushion even the gnarliest of four point falls, but slim enough to stay out of the way on those tight crossovers. These pads are so comfortable, sometimes I forget I have them on!
Atom Poison Hybrid Wheels: Roller derby can be played on a variety of surfaces, from concrete, to sport court, to wood. A good hybrid wheel like the Atom Poisons will have the combination of speed and grip that you need to tackle any and all of these. After a few practices, you can ask the veteran skaters for their advice for what wheels will be best for you on the type of track on which your team practices and plays!
Riedell R3 Roller Skate: If you’re used to skating on an artistic style skate boot, with a high heel and high ankle, you may want to get used to a different style of skate for roller derby. Most roller derby players prefer the speed and stability that comes with this style of boot. The Riedell R3 is a great skate to get you started!
Riedell Solaris Skate: When you’re ready to go pro, this top of the line derby skate awaits you! This skate gets rave reviews from the best players in the game, and although I haven’t had the pleasure of test driving them yet, I sure do have my eye on these beauties for 2022!
Hope this handy guide is helpful for some of y'all who may be interested in playing roller derby! I'll see you on the flat track!
Derby luv,
Vanna #93
