I’ve always loved my roller skates; there’s something in the way how these small wheels make you fly on the streets without having to move your feet that much. As a little girl, a few falls now and then gave me a number of bruises, but I learned how to skate like a pro, so it was definitely worth it. Today, I still skate during weekends in the park, and the thing that makes me most happy is that there are a lot of older people ( like in their 40’s and 50’s even) that skate! And why wouldn’t they, skating is such a great exercise for balance and endurance, plus it is an excellent stress reliever.
In Australia (and in other developed parts of the world), roller skating is considered an actual sport; people invest considerable amount of money, time and effort in perfecting the art of skating. The Australian Roller Derby is a huge sports event, and in 2015 for the first time it was a part of the Australian Masters Game. It is open for both men and women, and the most important thing is that there’s no upper age limit; anyone who feels capable enough can participate!
Okay, I know that now you are probably dying to get your team together and start preparing to win the Derby, and I completely support you. But, you need to be able to skate with both your feet and hands in perfect condition, so first things first: getting your roller derby clothing Australia online retailers offer, plus quality skates, plus protective gear.
- Roller skates – most people choose skates that they can easily replace if they damage them, or if they need a spare part, they want to be able to get it fast and easy. Which is okay, but if you are buying that type of roller skates, do not compromise on quality in favour of a lower price. Get roller skates with good sturdy construction and quality wheels to serve you for longer time.
- Clothing – you want to be the roller skater that will win the Derby right? Well, then you should look like one! Roller Derby clothing Australia online stores have an amazing offer of clothing pieces: comfortable enough for skating and stylish enough to make you look good and eye-catchy. You would need quality compression tights, and a good t-shirt preferably made of cotton. And if you want to be fully equipped, you can add a hooded jacket to that outfit; just make sure it is made of lightweight polyester woven with spandex for perfect performance and comfort. Accessories like hats and fancy socks are an additional plus.
- Protective gear – as much as we want to believe that just because we are grown up we can’t fall off roller skates, accidents do happen; and have in mind that on the Roller Derby chances are you will be falling a lot. So to prevent wasting precious time lying all injured in bed, do all you can to avoid that situation. Start with knee pads; it’s where the highest possibility of injury lies. And especially if you have knee problems, knee pads are a-must. The same goes for elbow pads and wrist guards. For skaters that are real pros and rave the roller skating tracks, mouth guards are a good idea; you want to preserve all your teeth, right? And finally helmets; you should never ever go roller skating without a good helmet. When you choose your helmet make sure it fits perfectly, because if it doesn’t fit well it will do you more harm than good.
Well roller skaters, are you ready to start your trainings? The Roller Derby takes place in October, so you have more than enough time to get that winning mode on!
