What: Cornfed Derby Dames New Skater Clinic
When: Sunday, Sept. 20; Registration - 2:30; 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Gibson Roller Skating Arena, 2610 S. Mock Ave.
Register: CFDDRecruitment@gmail.com
Bring: $5, mouthguard
Experience isn’t required at the upcoming skate clinic for Muncie’s local roller derby team, but a mouth guard definitely is.
Members of the Cornfed Derby Dames will teach potential skaters the basics of roller derby and debunk some myths about the sport on Sept. 20 at the Gibson Skating Arena in Muncie.
Roller derby, known for it’s all-women groups and rock ‘em sock ‘em nature, is a roller skating sport played on a flat track. Teams gain points when skaters called jammers lap other players. Blockers attempt to stop their opponent’s jammers while helping theirs. Pivots are blockers who can convert to jammers.
The Cornfed Derby Dames placed 128 in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association last year, but new skaters of all types are still encouraged to attend the clinic and try out. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door, said Sarah Gremer, president of the Derby Dames and primary departmental advisor at Ball State.
“It’ll really be a chance to get to know us and who we are, to learn about the sport and to dip your toes in the water in a safe way,” said Gremer, otherwise known as her roller derby name, Aria Kiddenme. “We’re not going to do anything that makes anyone uncomfortable.”
Brittany Chatwin, a Muncie local who goes by Bruisey Ricardo on the track, encourages new skaters to come out just to try it, especially if they want to skate during the upcoming season, which will be their sixth since forming in 2010.
“We’re going to be teaching basic skills - really basic skills,” Chatwin said. “We’re not doing any contact, we’re not going to hit anybody, that’s totally crazy. We’ll be focusing on skating, falling, stopping and what kind of stance to use. I don’t even want to hit anybody.”
Team members don’t even have to skate. They can take on other roles, such as volunteer and official positions. Volunteers might coordinate events or give back to the community through charity work.
Roller derby does not require a specific set of qualities or skills, Gremer and Chatwin said.
“Aside from having every type of body, you have every type of person,” Chatwin said.
Variety makes a good team, Gremer said.
“It’s not about raw skiIl, she said. “I think that’s what makes it unique from other sports where you may have to be tall or you may have to be quick. Roller derby can be anyone’s sport.”
It even holds a place for people who weren’t athletes when they were younger.
“I once was told, ‘Success in derby is not your start but the look in your eye. It’s not about skill, it’s about dedication,’” Gremer said.
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