CUMRU TWP., Pa. – If you’ve ever wanted to throw on skates and try your hand at roller derby, Tuesday night’s your chance!
The Reading Roller Derby is hosting a bootcamp for beginners, and that’s where we found our own Sydney Kay rolling with all the details Tuesday morning.
Reading Roller Derby President Allison “Demolition Ally” Shuker said that from the outside, roller skating looks intimidating. Once you step on the rink and meet the community that you’re getting involved with, “it’s family,” she said.
She said the group becomes tight-knit, and the intimidation goes away.
Shuker said skaters “are taught from the ground up”: how to stop, how to skate, how to (eventually) take a hit.
Jesi (f/stop) Yost, who does marketing for the derby, said she encourages people who want to come to the derby who might be hesitant that people just come and try it out. People can just come and learn how to skate, how to officiate. People don’t need to commit to the team long-term, she said.
She said the experience gives you confidence.
The bootcamp takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, which is the first night of the event.
People can always check out the Reading Roller Derby on social media. Those interested can sign up for various events.
Organizers are looking for people of any experience level. People need to be at least 18 years old.
Skater Mack “Slaying Mantis” Seltzer said she had not roller skated since she was a little kid. She said she started skating again three years ago because of the community. She said everybody has been welcoming, and she has gained skill as well as confidence in herself.