Upcoming Recruitment Events

SUMMER 2010 – DATE TBA
Till the next recruitment event, feel free to join us during Skate Station’s Wacky Adult Night on Wednesdays — we skate there from 9 p.m. to midnight regularly, and are happy to meet and speak to anyone interested in skating, reffing or volunteering for GRR.

Got a ton of questions already? Look through the list of frequently asked questions and answers below. Got a question we haven’t covered here? E-mail join@gainesvillerollerrebels.com for more information.

Non-Skating Staff/Volunteer Information

VOLUNTEER STATS: 18-and-up men and women.
Who needs skates to be awesome?! GRR has volunteer positions open for statisticians, medics and more. E-mail staff@gainesvillerollerrebels.com for more information on how you can become a non-skating part of one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation!

Skater/Referee Information

SKATER STATS: 18-and-up women; quad skates required.
REFEREE STATS: 18-and-up men and women; quad skates preferred.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What if I’m really little/big?
What if I’m not a great skater/can’t skate at all?
Will I get hurt?
How much time will it take?
How much does it cost?
What equipment do I need?
When should I learn the rules?

What if I’m really little/big? Don’t you have to be big and burly/athletic and in shape to play/referee roller derby?

Our skaters/referees come in all shapes, sizes and heights. Smaller skaters often end up playing as point-scoring jammers, as they tend to be quick on their feet, easy to whip around the track and don’t have as far to fall. Bigger skaters often end up playing as blockers, as they tend to be hard to push around, give strong assists and can cover a lot of ground in a single stride.

Please understand: All roller derby skaters are athletes and working out regularly to stay in shape is what prevents them from getting seriously injured. But don’t let your current physical fitness level deter you: Our training program works you sweaty to turn you into a mean machine at any size!

What if I’m not a great skater/can’t skate at all?

You’d be surprised how many of us hadn’t skated for years before joining and how easy it is to pick up if you work hard. The most important attribute you can bring to the track is commitment.

Will I get hurt?

Unfortunately for the skaters, the reality of playing an extreme sport is this: It’s not if you get hurt, it’s when. This is why GRR requires a basic sports physical prior to joining the league, all skaters use protective gear and personal health insurance is strongly recommended. We do train, stretch and practice falling to help reduce injuries and their severity, but be aware that the risk of injuries is significant. (See note in “How much does it cost?” for information on secondary insurance provided by USA Roller Sports membership.)

How much time will it take?

Practices, scrimmages and bouts require a considerable time commitment. Currently, league practices are 3-4 times a week for approx. 3-4 hours each. GRR also requires that you spend at least 2 additional hours on skates per week. After passing a skills test, you must meet a minimum attendance level to be considered for a bout.

It may sound intimidating at first, but you’ve got a bunch of new friends making the commitment with you! You’ll quickly realize how much fun skating is and won’t want to take off your wheels.

Please keep in mind that participating in derby genuinely requires serious commitment. All skaters must have a good attendance record in order to bout or take full advantage of the benefits offered to skaters by the league. In addition, every league member is required join one committee and attend the monthly league meeting.

How much does it cost?

At this time, the biggest expenses will be for your equipment, league jerseys (skaters only) and membership in USA Roller Sports, the governing body of all roller sports in the nation (currently $40 per year). Minimal monthly dues are also assessed to pay for practice space/time.

USARS membership is required to allow GRR to legally practice at home and away and bout other roller derby leagues. (NOTE: The secondary insurance provided by membership in USARS should not be considered primary, as it covers only very specific incidents and has a high deductible; should you become injured and not have personal health insurance, you will most likely be paying any costs out of your own pocket. Visit USARS Insurance for details.)

What equipment do I need?

The first thing you’ll need is safety gear; a helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads and a mouth guard are required for practice and bout skating. It is important to invest in quality pads — they will save your body! We recommend high-quality, contact-grade pads by skateboard companies such as The 187, Pro-Tec and Triple 8.

In the very beginning, you can get a “starter” pair of quads (not rollerblades!) from thrift stores/discount department stores. Once you’re skating regularly, however, you’ll find that cheaper, non-speed skates will slow you down and make the wily skating of derby more difficult. PLEASE NOTE: The “Roller Derby” brand of skates is not recommended.

Once you’re ready to commit you’ll want to invest in a good pair of quad speed skates. Skate Station’s Pro Shop has created a “Fresh Meat Package” designed to meet the equipment needs of the newest skaters of GRR; please see a GRR coach or captain for details.

The Skating Palace in Lake City also has a pro shop and helpful staff. Additionally, following are some popular Web sites the GRR ladies have had good experience with:
www.conniesskateplace.com
www.rollergirl.ca
www.sincityskates.com
www.viaderby.com

When should I learn the rules?

Start now! Knowing the rules of the game inside and out is something both skaters and referees take very seriously; the better you know the game, the more valuable you are to your teammates and referee staff.

Visit the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s (WFTDA) Official Rules page for more information.