Now that it’s not as hot out I’ve gotten back into skating and GOD I forgot how much I love it??? Should I come up with another skate costume soon? Skates by @moxirollerskates #harleyquinn #harleyquinncosplay #rollerderby #babyskater #rollerskating #quadskates #cosplay #cosplayer https://www.instagram.com/p/CktbixEvBnn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
My derby zombie for a criminally-underparticipated-in #dtiys from last fall by 'artbycherryjayne' on Instagram
She drew her zombie in a more sexy pose but I just love drawing derby action poses so that's what I did.
I'm saying this is uk based because that's the experience I've had - I've played with two teams in the UK and been involved in derby since about 2019!
1. getting kitted up
derby kit is sooo fucking expensive. there are a lot of secondhand derby kit groups out there, though - uk people i can recommend the facebook group roller derby recyclables ♻️ !! facebook buy sell groups, facebook marketplace ads, and setting up ebay alerts will all help you out though. You will need to get a custom mouthguard - i recommend the SISU ones that are used by nearly all derby players - they are mountains more comfortable than most mouthguards. You'll probably want a pair of reidell r3s (THE starter derby skate) at some point but any pair of quad skates will get you started, so dont worry about this for now if you already have some. It's also worth contacting the derby team you're looking to join and asking if they have spare kit they loan out! Lots of groups do, and it can really help you out in the beginning.
2. being able to skate is an advantage, but not a necessity.
I came to derby from a rollerblading background - i'd been street skating and doing a bit of skatepark skating for about 5 years prior to starting derby. While quads and rollerblades are very different in terms of balance, they definitely have transferable skills and being able to stop, do little curb jumps, skate backwards (ish) etc on rollerblades set me up with enough basic skills to focus on really skilling up during rookie practice. Plenty of people do come to derby being unable to skate - but i would say you are more likely to have a good time and stick with it if you already know you can go and stop.
3. roller derby is dangerous and serious injuries are common
If you often write someone to be your emergency contact who you know isnt great at answering their phone, or you dont really know that well anymore, or doesn't know you play derby etc - DO NOT do that for roller derby - there is a very very real possibility of that person being called. If putting down a family member or partner isn't an option for you, nominate a friend or even a colleague or other trusted adult in your life.
Be very aware that you can be critically injured playing derby. If you rely on your physical fitness in order to do your job, if your physical health is already impaired due to a preexisting condition, or so on - i'm not saying you absolutely should not play derby, but it definitely requires some extra considerations.
4. Go to games
Find out about what teams are local to you and show up to games! Getting tickets to see your local roller derby teams is the best way you can support the sport, as well as pick up on how the game is played and learn some tips.
5. do you have a local group?
Especially in the uk, our derby groups got hit hard by covid and some have not survived. it's likely your nearest group is in your nearest major city - so depending on where you live that could be a long way away from you. Often groups are in leisure centers and sports halls out of town and not super accessible by public transport. Being able to drive is definitely an advantage.
We lost one of our own. Sacrilicious was one of the greatest Texas Roller Derby skaters and epitomized the OG rollergirl. You have almost certainly seen—and perhaps been influenced by—her: in Whip It, Sac inspires Bliss to play roller derby. Rest in Skates, Sac. We love you.
I haven't had as much time to draw lately as I would have liked, hopefully I am clearing my plate of BS soon enough. Here is a quick sketch, I need to keep up the effort.
so, I knew I wanted to doodle some fanart for "WHEELS & ROSES: TV Pilot. An animated Sailor Moon meets roller derby coming of age story!" kickstarter, and I couldn't stop thinking about the Dragon background art for the Environmental Manipulation part of Magical Roller Derby (where you're only allowed to use magic on your skates).. so, this is what I came up with :D
by studio_orangeb - here's the link to the kickstarter, running through 3pm EST 2/29/2024:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wheelsandroses/wheels-and-roses-tv-pilot
Happy 2023! What are your resolutions for this year? I’m starting the year off with Harley because my goal this year is to emancipate myself from a lot of self doubt and beliefs that have been holding me back. I also *might* just be dipping my toes into roller derby this year so it feels really appropriate 💖 #harleyquinn #thefantabulousemancipationofoneharleyquinn #birdsofprey #dc #dccomics #rollerderby #quadskates #moxiskates https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm5Lme8JcN7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=