Skate Shop Loveland: Are You Thinking About Roller Derby?

If you've been thinking about giving roller derby a go, we've got everything you need to get started. We're a Loveland skate shop that carries all of the roller derby gear - skates, safety gear, and accessories - that you'll need on your new adventure. Today we're going to cover a few beginner tips for getting into the roller derby scene.

What kind of gear will you need? While the initial set up can be a little pricey, it's totally worth it. Plus, you can always buy used and upgrade over time if you need to.

• Skates: The skates you need are soft, like trainers, and don’t go higher than the ankle. The hard plastic ski boot-style are entirely inappropriate and will only give you a broken ankle.
• Helmet: Any skate helmet will do. Cycling helmets can’t be used but you can use your skate helmet for cycling. It’s worth trying them on before you buy as it needs to be a snug fit and not slip around on your head.
• Pads: Keep in mind that you fall over a lot in roller derby. You need knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Some skaters also wear gaskets under their kneepads as well, just to keep their joints in place. Also, remember to wash them occasionally!
• Mouthguard: Any boil-and-bite mouthguard from a sports shop will do and they can be picked up fairly cheaply.

Practice! Especially if you have to wait a couple months to get into roller derby, you should take as much time as you can to practice. Head for your local flat smooth large surface and get skating. It might even be worth getting in a couple of professional lessons as well!