Fresh Meat: Is roller derby right for me?

Roller derby seems pretty cool. What do I need to join? So you've just discovered roller derby, maybe you've perused our site a bit and decided that you want to give it a go. Now you're asking yourself what you need to know before getting started...read on, we've got you covered.

The author's fresh meat team after their first match. They lost (by a lot).

What's a fresh meat?

First thing's first, what's a fresh meat? You.

You're a fresh meat.

Or at least, you will be if you decide to try roller derby.

Fresh meat is the name given to the group of newcomers. The bambi skaters getting their footing and afraid to body slam their fellow freshs.

There's no shame in it. Fresh meat is a right of passage. We all have to start somewhere.

Do I have what it takes?

You don't need to be a great skater to start playing roller derby. Heck, you don't even need to know how to skate. That said, if you're the clumsiest person you know, maybe hold off on buying the expensive gear until you're sure this is a sport you want to take on.

As far as fitness goes, roller derby will get you in shape real quick. So don't worry about having a few extra pounds (or a few too few, for that matter). The higher level of fitness you have going in, the easier it'll be, but the beauty of roller derby is that on any team, at any level, you'll see bodies of all different shapes and sizes. The only thing true of all roller derby bodies is that they're strong—and that comes with training.

More than anything physical, the most important factor to consider when starting roller derby is mental. Are you ready to fall...a lot? Are you ready to hit and be hit? Are you ready to suffer and to be humbled?

I know, I'm not selling it very well. But these are real questions you need to ask yourself.

Roller derby is HARD.

But it's worth it.

If it were easy, watching yourself progress wouldn't feel nearly as good. Roller derby will hurt you. It will make you sweat and make you cry. It will also give you a dozen or more friends that would take a bullet (or a violent assist) for you. It will give you confidence, fitness, and great stories to tell over post-bout beers and pizza.

What kind of gear do I need?

Roller derby is a very physical (i.e. violent) sport so protection is a must.

Required roller derby gear (image courtesy of Wollogong Illawarra Roller Derby https://www.revolutionise.com.au/wird/about)

In addition to quad-style roller skates, every player is required to wear a helmet that protects the top, sides and back of the skater's head, as well as a mouth guard, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Some skaters also opt for shin guards for when things get really physical in the pack. New skaters may feel safest with padded shorts that protect your cheeks and coccyx from inevitable slams.

Most clubs have a loner program that lends out skates, pads, and helmets. So don't worry about dropping hundreds (or thousands *cringes*) on brand new gear before committing. However, I do recommend buying and molding your own mouth guard because... ew.

As far as skates go, if you have a pair of quads (NOT BLADES) that you're already comfortable with, by all means, start out on those. Plenty of new skaters start on dance skates which have a taller heel and boots that extend well above the ankle. Roller derby skates, however, are nearly if not entirely flat and often stop at or just above the ankle. Beyond these basic differences, talking about skate features and differences could be a whole other article on its own.

I'm sold! Where do I sign?

By now you know what you need. You've decided you're ready jump in. Great! Congratulations! Now you just need to find a team.

The best way to do so is simply by googling [your city] + roller derby, or by checking the Roller Derby 101 map. That's it! If you're lucky you'll find at least one team in your area who you can reach out to by mail or by instant message to find out how you can get involved. The derby community is a very welcoming one so you'll always be able to find someone who's happy to answer your questions.

Most teams have a short off-season in the summertime so late summer into early autumn is a great time to get your bearings with other newcomers. If you're reading this deep in the heart of winter don't be dismayed! Most teams are happy to welcome prospective skaters to watch practices and scrimmages which provides the opportunity to learn the rules and make yourself known to the people who will quickly become your second family.

All that's left to do is lace up and hit the track. Welcome to wonderful world of roller derby. Have fun and skate safe!

Article by Georgia O'Gifle (Georgia Knoles)