Learn to Skate Bootcamp

How much does bootcamp cost?

• Our four-week Learn to Skate Bootcamp is free!

• After you graduate from bootcamp, you will be expected to pay $45 in monthly dues for DMRD membership. This allows us to rent practice and scrimmage space.

• DMRD members must also purchase Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) insurance annually. This will cost $75.

What gear do I need for bootcamp?

Roller derby is a full-contact sport, so we need a full set of pads to keep us safe! DMRD skaters are required to wear the following gear at all times during practice:

• A helmet. We recommend S1 helmets. Your brain is very important, and it’s worth the investment to keep it protected!

• A mouthguard. The SISU Aero is a team favorite — it’s thin and easy to talk around.

• Elbow pads. 187 Killer Pads are a derby classic, but any brand with significant padding is great. Check out Derby Warehouse for pads, including sets of elbow, wrist and knee pads.

• Wrist guards. Check out Derby Warehouse.

• Knee pads. We highly recommend buying good knee pads early in your skating career. We fall on our knees all the time, especially when learning new skills! 187 Killer Pads and Triple 8 are two great options.

• Quad skates. Those are the ones with two front wheels and two back wheels, with a toestop in the front. Some good entry-level skates are Riedell Darts and Riedell R3s. Derby skates are almost always flat, without a heel on the back.

  • If you want to try on skates in-person, there may be some limited stock at Skate South or Skateland. Online retailers will provide measurements to determine which size to buy.

  • It’s better to buy a skate slightly too small than one that is slightly too big. A snug fit is important for playing roller derby.

DMRD league members are expected to purchase their own set of gear. You may be able to find second-hand options on Facebook Marketplace, or on Facebook groups like Roller Derby Recyclables. Just make sure whatever you purchase will fulfill WFTDA gear requirements.

If you’re not able to purchase gear right now, or you’re not sure about committing to roller derby long-term, we do offer some loaner gear available for new skaters. Please email recruitment@desmoinesrollerderby.com before your bootcamp session to ask about borrowing gear from us.

What else should I bring to bootcamp?

• Bootcampers should bring a water bottle! Hydration is key.

• Please wear comfortable athletic clothes. Make sure your pads can fit over your clothes.

What will happen at bootcamp?

DMRD coaches will teach bootcampers all the basic skating skills you need to start attending roller derby practices. Here’s what that will look like on an average Wednesday night:

5:45 p.m. — Arrive at Franklin Jr. High to gear up. If you’re borrowing gear from us, please arrive a little earlier so we can find proper equipment for you.

6 p.m. — Bootcampers will start warming. Our coaches will take you through some gentle stretches and review lessons from the previous week.

Coaches will lead bootcampers through a series of drills until 7 p.m.

7 p.m. — DMRD league members will arrive around 7 p.m. for league practice. Bootcampers will be invited to do warm-ups and endurance practice with full league members. This is optional — listen to your body to decide if you’re up for it!

Bootcampers who choose not to skate during league practice may degear and leave at 7 p.m., or they may observe off-skates.

8 p.m. — All remaining bootcampers degear. DMRD league members will transition to full-contact drills and scrimmage scenarios. Bootcampers may observe off-skates, if you’d like.

9 p.m. — League practice ends. Everyone goes home.

What happens after bootcamp ends?

DMRD coaches will conduct a skills assessment on the final day of bootcamp. We’ll run through all the skills you’ve learned over the past three weeks.

• Skaters who score high on the assessment will join DMRD as a “mid-contact skater.” That means we’ll start teaching you how to play roller derby, including hitting other skaters and skating in close contact.

• But don’t worry – Skaters who do not pass the assessment will also become DMRD league members! You’ll join the league as a “no contact skater.” We’ll keep working on your skating skills and teaching you the rules of roller derby, but no one will be hitting you quite yet.

I have more questions!

We can answer them! Please email recruitment@desmoinesrollerderby.com with your questions.