New Skater FAQS

How old do you have to be to join?
Our Taster Days and Skate Skills 101 programme is open to anyone aged 18 and over. There is no maximum age.

What does the Skate Skills 101 programme involve?
Our programme is highly comprehensive and will take you from your first nervous strides to a full understanding of the sport of roller derby and the skills required to play it. We cater for people interested in either recreational or competitive skating and those who want to ref. The programme is designed to teach you skating skills while building your core strength gradually in a safe and healthy manner. Our coaches are highly experienced and our first aiders are fully certified, so you are in safe hands!

What equipment do I need?
If you have signed up for the taster session, please either bring your own equipment or let us know what sizes you need in advance. If you are bringing your own kit, please ensure you have: knee, wrist and elbow pads, quad skates (not roller blades) and a helmet, along with a pre-moulded mouthguard.

For the Skate Skills 101 programme, you will need the entire kit before starting - helmet, quad skates, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a pre-moulded mouthguard. The whole kit together costs about £180-£200, although you can get some things cheaper second hand. If you’re not sure where or what equipment to buy or have any questions, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to help you.

I’m dying to get started, but can’t afford the skates and equipment straight away.
Thanks to National Lottery funding, we are able to loan out a small number of full kits to allow folk to join the Skate Skills 101 programme. Please contact [email protected] to find out whether kit in your size is available.

Other than the skates and the protected equipment, what else should I bring?
A bottle of water, and trainers for the first few weeks for any off skate warm ups.

What should I wear?
Wear comfortable gym type clothing that you can move around in. Most skaters tend to wear shorts or leggings with vests or t-shirts.

When and where are your Skate Skills 101 sessions?
The sessions generally held every Sunday at the Jack Kane Sports Centre from 12 - 2 pm and on Wednesday evenings at Holyrood High School from 7-9pm. When you sign up to the programme, you will receive your new skater’s pack which will include confirmations of the time and place.

How much does the Skate Skills 101 programme cost?
The full 14 week programme costs £90 which can be paid all at once, or in 3 monthly instalments.
N.B. A nonrefundable payment (1st instalment of £30) is required before the programme starts to secure your spot.

Do I need to know the rules?
Not straight away, this is something we will introduce you to during the programme. After a few weeks, new skaters will be invited to come along to our scrimmage training and try out non-skating official roles to learn more about the rules of the game.

What skill level do I need to be to come along?
If you’ve never put on a pair of skates, or only skated as a kid many years ago, we’ll teach you all the skills you’ll need to skate and fall safely. No experience necessary.

Am I fit enough?
Yes! Roller derby is a great way to get in shape and most of our skaters started off in exactly the same way. Everyone has to start somewhere, all you need is a little determination.

What if I don’t want to skate, can I still get involved?
There are many ways to get involved, check out how to get involved here.

 

For more information or if you have any other questions, please email us at [email protected]