A event on Thursday 11th July. The event starts at 19:00.
Come join Bath Roller Derby! Our Learn Roller Derby course is back, so why not start the summer meeting new people and learning an awesome new sport?
The first 4 weeks of the course (which this ticket is for) covers skating basics (including stops, falls and technique) The remaining 8 weeks (£5 a week) move onto the skills you need to be a derby skater or referee.
With just 25 places in this intake, tickets are likely to go faster than a pivot taking a star pass (don't worry - that will mean something soon…)
Course details:
Location: Wellsway Sports Hall, Keynsham, BS31 3HH
Date & time: Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm
Start date: 11th July 2024
Ticket sales open: NOW!
--- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ---
Q: What is roller derby?
A: Roller derby is a full-contact team sport played on quad skates. Two teams of five skaters take to an oval track where one person from each team (called the ‘jammer’) attempts to score points by passing members of the opposing team. The remaining four skaters from each team (called ‘blockers’) attempt to stop the opposing jammer as well as helping their own through.
Check out the WFTDA.tv channel on YouTube to see some of the pros in action.
Q: Who can take part?
A: Anyone who is over the age of 18 is welcome to join our Learn Roller Derby course. At Bath we skate under WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) rules, which means that anyone who identifies as female, a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive (e.g. non-binary) may skate with us.
Everyone is welcome to join the course to train as a referee or NSO (Non-Skating Official) regardless of their gender.
“An individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive may skate with a WFTDA charter team if women’s flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.” WFTDA gender policy.
Q: Do I have to be a player to be involved?
A: No! Roller derby is about more than just the players and we would love for you to join as a much valued referee or non-skating official (NSO). Roller derby officials are in high demand with lots of travel opportunities, or you can keep it closer to home and help us with our home games.
If you’re interested in becoming a referee, the Learn Roller Derby course will teach you the basics of skating and derby skills, and when those who want to play start contact drills, you’ll start ref school!
If you like the sound of NSOing, get in touch to learn more.
Q: What if I’ve never skated before?
A: Beginner skaters are welcome and part of the course is to help you develop basic skating skills. We’ll teach you everything you need to know but if you’d like to get some practice in beforehand (bonus points for you!) we recommend attending your local roller disco.
Q: What is the structure of the course?
A: The course runs for 12-weeks from 11th July to 26th September on Thursdays, 7pm – 8.30pm.
In the first two weeks we’ll cover basic skating skills like how to stop, fall safely, and skate backwards. After that we’ll move onto derby-specific skills and build up to contact and ref/NSO training.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: Safety is the number one priority when playing a full-contact sport, especially when you’re on eight wheels! To take part in the course you will need:
Quad skates (not inlines!) - ideally without a heel. We recommend Riedell R3s or Suregrip GT50s as good beginner skates
Helmet - S-One or Triple Eight are good derby-specific brands
Mouthguard - we love Sisu mouthguards because you can talk and drink without taking them out
Elbow pads
Wrist guards - the studier the better
Knee pads - worth spending more money on getting good ones if you can afford to as you’ll use these a lot. We like S-One, Killer 187, or Smith Scabs
We do have limited kit available to borrow, which you can request when you buy your ticket.
If you fancy getting kitted out for the course, you can buy new or second hand. We strongly recommend buying from skater-owned shops because they know more about derby. Great options include Bridgend Cycle Centre, Momma Trucker’s, and Double Threat. If you want to buy second hand, we recommend checking out the Roller Derby Recyclables group on Facebook. Feel free to send us a message if you have questions about kit!
Q: How much does the course cost?
A: Your ticket will cost £30 which covers the first four sessions. After that it’s £5 for each session you attend.
Q: I’m nervous about coming on my own.
A: If you can take that first step and come along, you will see that we are a friendly bunch and want you to have a great time. Most of us started derby on our own and we now are part of a great big beautiful community of friends.
Entry requirements: 18+
The first 4 weeks of the course (which this ticket is for) covers skating basics (including stops, falls and technique) The remaining 8 weeks (£5 a week) move onto the skills you need to be a derby skater or referee.
With just 25 places in this intake, tickets are likely to go faster than a pivot taking a star pass (don't worry - that will mean something soon…)
Course details:
Location: Wellsway Sports Hall, Keynsham, BS31 3HH
Date & time: Thursdays 7pm-8:30pm
Start date: 11th July 2024
Ticket sales open: NOW!
--- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ---
Q: What is roller derby?
A: Roller derby is a full-contact team sport played on quad skates. Two teams of five skaters take to an oval track where one person from each team (called the ‘jammer’) attempts to score points by passing members of the opposing team. The remaining four skaters from each team (called ‘blockers’) attempt to stop the opposing jammer as well as helping their own through.
Check out the WFTDA.tv channel on YouTube to see some of the pros in action.
Q: Who can take part?
A: Anyone who is over the age of 18 is welcome to join our Learn Roller Derby course. At Bath we skate under WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) rules, which means that anyone who identifies as female, a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive (e.g. non-binary) may skate with us.
Everyone is welcome to join the course to train as a referee or NSO (Non-Skating Official) regardless of their gender.
“An individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive may skate with a WFTDA charter team if women’s flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.” WFTDA gender policy.
Q: Do I have to be a player to be involved?
A: No! Roller derby is about more than just the players and we would love for you to join as a much valued referee or non-skating official (NSO). Roller derby officials are in high demand with lots of travel opportunities, or you can keep it closer to home and help us with our home games.
If you’re interested in becoming a referee, the Learn Roller Derby course will teach you the basics of skating and derby skills, and when those who want to play start contact drills, you’ll start ref school!
If you like the sound of NSOing, get in touch to learn more.
Q: What if I’ve never skated before?
A: Beginner skaters are welcome and part of the course is to help you develop basic skating skills. We’ll teach you everything you need to know but if you’d like to get some practice in beforehand (bonus points for you!) we recommend attending your local roller disco.
Q: What is the structure of the course?
A: The course runs for 12-weeks from 11th July to 26th September on Thursdays, 7pm – 8.30pm.
In the first two weeks we’ll cover basic skating skills like how to stop, fall safely, and skate backwards. After that we’ll move onto derby-specific skills and build up to contact and ref/NSO training.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: Safety is the number one priority when playing a full-contact sport, especially when you’re on eight wheels! To take part in the course you will need:
Quad skates (not inlines!) - ideally without a heel. We recommend Riedell R3s or Suregrip GT50s as good beginner skates
Helmet - S-One or Triple Eight are good derby-specific brands
Mouthguard - we love Sisu mouthguards because you can talk and drink without taking them out
Elbow pads
Wrist guards - the studier the better
Knee pads - worth spending more money on getting good ones if you can afford to as you’ll use these a lot. We like S-One, Killer 187, or Smith Scabs
We do have limited kit available to borrow, which you can request when you buy your ticket.
If you fancy getting kitted out for the course, you can buy new or second hand. We strongly recommend buying from skater-owned shops because they know more about derby. Great options include Bridgend Cycle Centre, Momma Trucker’s, and Double Threat. If you want to buy second hand, we recommend checking out the Roller Derby Recyclables group on Facebook. Feel free to send us a message if you have questions about kit!
Q: How much does the course cost?
A: Your ticket will cost £30 which covers the first four sessions. After that it’s £5 for each session you attend.
Q: I’m nervous about coming on my own.
A: If you can take that first step and come along, you will see that we are a friendly bunch and want you to have a great time. Most of us started derby on our own and we now are part of a great big beautiful community of friends.
Entry requirements: 18+