Roller Derby Skates

Anytime is the perfect time to put on those skates and groove to your favorite tunes! If you already have a pair of inline skates just brush them off and get going!  But if you do not have skates,  you definitely need to get them.

Before you proceed, it is important to know that there are various types of inline skates, like inline hockey skates, roller skates, fitness skates, specialty skates, aggressive skates, and recreational skates. The best option if you are just starting, are the recreational skates.  They are easily managed and durable.

In purchasing the basic skate, the most important thing to be considered is the comfort and support that the skates will offer. After all, it is only if you are comfortable that, you will enjoy this exciting and thrilling sport. Take time when purchasing the skates.  Some stores suggest that the best time to buy skates is after a physical activity or after a busy day of work.  You will be able to determine if they give you the needed comfort, in terms of weight and size. The size should neither be too loose nor too tight because the feet tend to swell after skating.  There should be enough room to expand but not too loose that you might trip or have difficulty to balance yourself. Your feet must be snug in the skates without casuing any cramps and foot sores.

Once you fidn the right fit, the next important thing is the support and the type of support. Initially the only support offered was laces, and then it was buckles, then straps and Velcro.. One must carefully see which type of support system is suitable to him in terms of time, ease, fit and at the same time give the luxury of easily adjusting the straps either loose or tight while skating.

In purchasing skates, you will need to also look at brand and the cost. This will depend on your skating goal, which means whether you aim to pursue a career in skating, or as a fitness source or for pure recreation. The price will vary not only with the styling, the comfort, the weight, the support, but also the brand,.  You will pay for the name but you alos buy the reputation of the brand.  Choose wisely.

Try on different types of skates, check which one gives you that feeling of comfort and support.  Consideer the brand and the price.  You can get alot of assistance in many of the sporting equipment stores in your local area.

Believe it or not, this is a sport born and bred in the good ol’ USA.  It is an All American phenomenon!  It is a high velocity sport that takes roller skating from the average neighbourhood street to an indoor oval track.  In its early years, roller derby was a professional sport played by both men and women. Today it is a primarily amateur sport that has teams and circuits all over the world and has becomes predominantly a women’s sport.  Hoo Rahh for the hard hitting women of roller derby USA!

Historically, the term Roller Derby was first coined in 1922 in the Chicago Tribune.  It was used to describe flat track roller skating races. Leo Seltzer a promoter and sportswriter, Damon Runyon have been credited with impacting the competitions in the 1930’s by making it focus on the physcallity of the sport and the spectacle of it.  Seltzer actually trade marked the term “Roller Derby” and used this to promote his professional teams as they toured through the US. Roller Derby became a part of pop culture as the matches took place through the US.  The matches were broadcast on radio in the early years and later became a television phenomenon with an increasing fan base.

Great ideas never stand alone.  Competing organizations such as Roller Games, burst onto the scene.  But as many fast rising stars often do, the sport had to ride out many ups and downs.  The mainstream event finally fizzled in the 1970’s.  Much of the interest over the next few decades were fueled by the veterans and die hard fans.

Today’s Roller Derby has re-emerged.  In fact 3,700 fans attened the debut of the 2007 Minnesota RollerGirls season.  Rooler Derby has entered into next era.  This sport has spread beyond its American roots and leagues have poppeed up in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.  It has reconencted with today’s hard hitting women and captured not only the athleticism but acquired a “campy” personality all of its own.

The revival is attributed to the non-affiliated DIY young women who took on the sport with guts and gusto. Roller derby is a contact sport and injuries range from common bruises and sprains to broken bones and beyond. No wonder that EMT’s are often on hand at the matches.  These injuries become the well documented and discussed “battle scars”, to be flaunted and exploited as a part of the culture that follows this growing sport.  Safety equipment such as helmets, elbow pads, knee pads are required.  Roller derby skates have to be built for the rigors of the face paced track.

The Derby demons of today’s Roller Derby has its own look and feel.  The look is often inspired by  rockabilly or burlesque fashions.  Cool tattoos and tutus are a part of the Derby style.  In some leagues, “Larger-than-life” on-track aggressive behavior, the half-time entertainment and “penalty games” provide the “entertainment” in this sport.  It is attitude and velocity combined wth the griity fast paced excitement that draws fans all over the world.