Roller Derby Skates

Canadian sisters don’t worry that Roller Derby Rules are different for you. As far as the rules go most teams do abide by the WFTDA Regulations. That seems to pretty much be the tried and true regulations, although there can be slight variations that some refs are more picky about then others. Overall though, the flat track rules are the most popular and most well known standard for Roller Derby sports.

Without a doubt there are many more teams in America, but it seems to me that the Canadian teams could be coming in pretty strong. If you are wondering if there is a Roller Derby League in your part of Canada never fear, there are Roller Derby Leagues in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. In the Ontario area alone there are about 14 Teams that have been around for various lengths of time. If you think you would like to start your own team that could be okay too. Although I think unless you’re a very seasoned veteran you would do better to become affiliated with a Roller Derby league or existing Roller Derby team. You can learn a lot from Roller Derby Team members that have been around for awhile.

Almost all the teams like to do some sort of fundraising or charitable work, so even if you do not skate but feel like you might like to be a part of this great sport somehow, Roller Derby Diva’s everywhere will be happy for the helping hands when it comes to charitable cause, helping the team logistically or just being a sponsor. Send us a message on The Derby Diva’s

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

Not all bad girls can make the ranks of the Roller Derby, even the movie version. The Derby Diva’s would like to give a high five to Shannon Tweed for giving it her best shot. Or should we just call her by her Roller Derby Nickname Shannon Bleed? In all, seriousness I think her name in the script was meant to be Thunder wheels. I have never been an actress so I really can’t comment on what it is like to get ready for an audition for a part in a movie. I can tell you that Shannon Tweed had her work cut out for her as she auditioned for a part in Drew Barrymore’s Whip It. Hardly the erotic that Shannon is known for, but in some strange way I could see where she could have been a good choice. You would have to have attitude to live with Gene Simmons.

Seriously though a broken arm could have potentially been written in the script. I can’t help but think part of the problem s that Shannon Tweed just didn’t quite encompass the Roller Derby Stereotype. You can be pretty and you can have attitude, but there is level of brash boldness that seems to only work in a chosen few. What do you think? Drop me a tweet at The Derby Diva’s and tell me if you feel Shannon would have been a good hit. In fact give me some feed back on the Roller derby Movie Whip It! And tell me if you even feel it is a good depiction of what the Roller Derby world is all about.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

After a day of skating this Roller Derby Diva just is not ready to quit. A perfect solution is to read all about what else is happening in the world of Roller Derby. With no shortage of great Roller Derby websites or Roller Derby Magazines there is always something to read about. I like Roller Derby Magazine like Blood and Thunder because they have some great articles and lots of information on Roller Derby Camps. That’s just an appetizer to get me in the mood for my other Roller Derby Magazines like Fracture. If your short on cash and just want to read a few Roller Derby Articles online, there are some great opinion pieces and historical Roller Derby Archives that can easily be found by clicking around.

Sometimes I just feel like I would love to discuss some of the articles that I have read. Since my family gets sick of me going on and on about Roller Derby I have to check out my friends on Derby Diva’s Twitter For instance did you read the online Swindle article on the Roller Derby? Talk about attitude, but in all fairness at least the article did justice to the hard working gals that help to make the Roller Derby Phenomenon what it is today. It is pretty inspirational to find out just what degree of efforts some of the smaller team go to in order to recruit good talent and get the funding needed to continue. I disagree with you mom, this is hardly a phase that will just pass and I am not he only one that is in love with the Roller Derby.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

It is easy to think that their are no Roller Derby Rules, well the ladies at the Roller Derby Diva’s want you to know that their are indeed rules despite the fact it seems like high speed chaos. Although their are variations depending on what division you are watching (or playing), most teams follow WFTDA Rules. The WFTDA stands for Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Earlier we told you about how the Roller Derby Evolved from being basically a Roller Derby Endurance marathon to something that was slightly more aggressive. Their had to be some sort of framework in place to protect the players from overly aggressive team mates. In fact according to Roller Derby Rules any team member that breaks the rules, fights or is involved in any unsportsmanlike like behavior will cause their team to receive a penalty. In some ways the penalty system is similar to Hockey penalties, as the transgressor will have to serve some period of time in the penalty box for the infraction.

Roller Derby Rules cover specifics like pivot lines, jammers, blockers and when a team member scores or is out of play. One of the first concepts to understand is what a Roller Derby Jam is. When the ref blows the whistle it is the signal to start the Jam formation, both teams start to skate counterclockwise to move into a strategic position. There are specific areas in which some players need to remain, for example a blocker must be within 20 ft of the majority or largest group of blockers from both teams. This can be either in front of the pack or behind. The ref is looking for the last person to pass the point where the front of the pack was originally lined up, then the ref blows the whistle twice as a signal for the jammers to start what they do best, which of course is Jam! The idea is to pass everyone and become the lead jammer. Sounds easy enough right? Well not so much when their is a whole bunch of people to block your progression and thats what Roller Derby Talk is all about. Hey but you don’t have to take my word for it, visit The Derby Diva’s on Twitter and they can tell you all about all the little extras that go along with the rules.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

We here at the Roller Derby Diva’s Twitter Page recently saw a tweet that asked what was the best Roller Derby Rink? Well that can be a matter of opinion, but in short any skating area that has enough space to skate in a circle can potentially become a Roller Derby Rink. But I have to tell you that it is my feeling that not all Roller Rinks are necessarily the best Rink for Roller Derby.

Most Roller Derby teams like to skate a tilted track instead of a flat rink, but if you only have a flat rink available that will have to do. It is easy to get the specs for a regulation Roller Derby Rink if you would like to construct one. I personally prefer wooden rinks, but I have skated in roller rinks made of hard rubber surfaces. In fact there are Roller Parks that have the traditional round Roller Rinks of the 1950′5 and 1960’s. It is probably not a good idea to go to the rink with a few of your friends and start an impromptu Roller Derby Match, but you could request a time slot if you are serious about doing some Roller Derby Drills. Speed skaters might find these drills fun but I can pretty much assure you that the Roller Figure Skaters will be happy you are not in their time slot. Share your favorite stories of the best Roller Derby Rinks you have ever skated at The Roller Derby Diva’s Facebook If you just happen to have an amusing tale of an accidental clothesline that would be okay too!

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

If I could be queen, just for a day, I would want to follow in the footsteps of Ann Calvello. Jim Croce may have been singing about Ann or maybe some other Roller Derby Queen it’s hard to say. But no matter which way you look at it, being a Roller Derby Queen is really quite some accomplishment. In Ann Calvello’s case it came from the years of dedication she put into the Roller Derby. Although Ann died back in 2006 her Roller Derby legacy lives on in everywoman that laces up to skate.

The Derby Diva’s want to give a great big salute to the grand dame Ann Calvello that not only got what the sport was all about but lived it! Since 1948 Ann was well on her way to setting the precedence on what the Roller Derby Throne was all about. Noted for her dyed hair and frosty lips she endured taunts of being nicknamed banana nose by her fans. She was loud, brash and man could she bash with the best of them. Despite all that she was loved, so much so she was able to keep the Roller Derby alive through films and guest appearances will into 2002.

What’s a queen without an attitude? Ann had attitude plenty of it, so much so she deserved the Roller Derby Queen title. But as with every queen, there has to be a successor to pass the crown onto. Twitter me at Derby Diva’s if you think you are the next Roller Derby Queen or know of someone else that could be more deserving.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

Ever wonder how the Roller Derby actually started? You may be surprised to find that the Roller Derby History is much longer then many suspect. Early America found a love for any type of athletics that involved endurance. With the interest in walkathons waning a man by the name of Leo Seltzer decided to take the success he found with organizing walkathons in a new direction. In the early 1930’s roller skating was gaining quite a bit of attention as a form of endurance early Roller Derby Endurance contests consisted of the participants racing around a flat track. People were interested and Roller Derby Popularity grew.

What is sort of amusing is why people liked to watch the Roller Derby. Much to Leo Seltzers surprise it was discovered that the crowd loved the occasional pile ups and accidents. If you think about it, it is really the same way today when people slow down to gawk at a motor vehicle accident. But back in 1938 this was a spectacle to see since motor vehicles were not quite as common. Roller Derby Historians have suggested that a sports writer persuaded Leo Seltzer to take advantage of the more physical aspects of the sport, changing it more to a game. Although Leo was not so certain of the appeal this plan would have long term he gave it a try and made quite a fair amount of cash on scheduled Roller Derby Appearances. Experimentation with different teaming styles soon led to the type of Roller Derby Teams we see in the sport today.

If you are already involved in the Roller Derby or just would like to talk to some people that are, you can always twitter my friends The Derby Divas or link to The Roller Derby Divas on Facebook so you can keep up on all the gossip and upcoming events!

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

I met a woman at a recent antique flea market that told me she was collects Roller Derby Memorabilia. I guess that I had not really thought that much about how many Roller Derby Collectables were available. Imagine my surprise when I found out there was quite a bit, at a price that really was less then I expected. Because the Roller Derby Merchandise of by gone eras is not that mainstream I found the best sources of collectables came from the people that I met on The Derby Diva’s Facebook Page I found other great people that collected anything from Roller Derby Logo Gear to things like Roller Derby Pictures and Roller Derby Playbills from actual events.

It doesn’t end there, if you are a die hard fan that was to young to experience Roller Derby 1980-1990’s you will love watching some of the older videos. Someday their will be a merchandiser that catches on and puts some of this out on DVD but until then the videos will have to do. Although I was lucky enough to get a signed autograph as of yet, I understand they are available. But be aware like many other forms of memorabilia there are fakes out there so before you put down a large amount of money make sure what is being offered is a real Roller Derby Memorabilia piece. If your just looking for leads take advantage of sites like The Derby Diva’s Twitter and make a few friends. You could be surprised what an old time fan might have available to sell to another enthusiast. If not you can start your Roller Derby Collection of events and teams that are popular today. Someday someone might be glad you did.

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One thing the Derby Diva’s are not is a bunch of whiney rhineys, but hey we have been know to give a whip that ended in some serious fishnet burn,. Roller Derby Lingo can be fun. Think of it as your own cha cha challenge. Before you know it you will be finding yourself telling the rest of the Roller Derby Team all about the over the top cannonball that won a purple heart. I can’t help but wonder when Roller Derby Lingo started to go beyond just the terms blockers and jammers, but somewhere it changed. Personally I like to think that it was a change that only helped to make Roller Derby Nostalgia that much more endearing.

If you haven’t a clue what I am talking about you need to get to The Derby Girls Twitter page before some holy stoners send you off to spank alley. Roller Derby Lingo isn’t that hard, and I am sure there are plenty of terms that I have yet to hear. To me it is a big part of the allure of the sport. There’s something very cool about telling someone what your going to do in your own special Roller Derby Lingo. Trash talking is one thing, it is not that difficult to get the meaning of that lingo. It is something else totally different to be riding the lip or striding the track. That form of Roller Derby Lingo is talking about something pretty specific to the Roller Derby Match.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates

We here at the Derby Diva’s often hear the remark that Roller Derby was all just staged entertainment. Whether that is completely true or not is a matter that can be debated. What is not considered is that there is a high degree of physical dedication required to even skate in a Roller Derby. Granted some of the antics might be over the top, but the chance for serious injury is very real. While that maybe partially true it is important to remember that with any sport or choreographed sport there is the real danger of injury. We can not stress enough the importance of wearing safety gear like Roller Derby Kneepads, or a Roller Derby Helmet.

It does not matter if you are skating for exercise in the park or if your the lead Jammer. You have to admit there is not a single person that does not get a Roller Derby Moment while inline skating in the park. Maybe it was a collision with another skater or worse a bike! It hurts when you fall so play it safe and cover those elbows with a nice Roller Derby Kneepad and while your at it get a matching set of Roller Derby Elbow Pads. Kids get hurt to so don’t forget a set for the little ones. What type works best? Pretty much anyone that will protect your skin but hey if you have a specific recommendations visit us on Twitter at The Derby Diva’s and share with us your choices for the best Roller Derby Gear.

Technorati Tags: bank track, flat track, roller derby, roller derby girls, roller derby skates, roller derby teams, roller derby women, roller skates