FAQ
Nope! We’ll teach you how to skate from scratch; you’ll learn basic skating skills, as well as a few killer moves to wow your friends. Once you stop wobbling around like a newborn foal, we’ll teach you how to skate derby style, which is lower.
Well, it won’t hurt, but from our experience it won't really give you much of an edge in the long run. Unless you were some kind of miniature Olympic skater, of course!
We’re not picking daisies here, people, we’re playing roller derby and you’re gonna need those basic skills. That’s where the Rookie Program comes in. Participation in the Rookie Program builds your skills from the ground up, so you’ll have all the tools you need to play without being a danger to yourself or others. Only by successfully completing the Rookie program will you be allowed to join HIR as a league member.
A training committee will assess the skills of our Rookie skaters over the 10 week training course. The base requirements of safety and skills are outlined and regulated within our handbook and the WFTDA rulebook.
The stereotypical portrayal of roller derby is violent, but the real deal isn't. Of course, it is a full contact sport, so we’re not too delicate, but contrary to popular belief, we don't kick, elbow, or punch each other. Instead, we work on techniques to get past opponents and block players from moving past us- all within the rules, of course. Some people like to think of derby as rugby on wheels.
HIR is a women’s league, which means we welcome cis women, trans women, and non-binary people who want to play. Cis and trans men are encouraged to join the league and participate as skating referees. We’ll even train you up and get you rolling, boys, so don’t be shy.
We’re not gonna lie - it’s a helluva workout. Learning how to skate, and then how to play roller derby on top of that, isn't easy, but it’s not impossible either. With practice and dedication it's actually a lot of fun to learn. You don't have to be athletic to play, but you must be committed.
We all started somewhere. Even the amazing skaters who train our team were once wobbly rookies, and look at them now! With enough determination and a hearty helping of grit, anyone can unlock the skills to make it through the Rookie Program. That said, if your fitness level isn’t quite where you’d like it to be, you may have to work harder to bring those skills up to par outside regular training hours. We recommend this to everyone hoping to graduate the Rookie Program course at the end of the 10 week training period. Skating derby is very physically demanding - from a cardio and also muscular perspective, so don’t turn up expecting a leisurely skate along the Sliema promenade. If you find yourself too far behind, no worries, you can always redo the Rookie Program when it rolls around again.
We all started somewhere. Even the amazing skaters who train our team were once wobbly rookies, and look at them now! With enough determination and a hearty helping of grit, anyone can unlock the skills to make it through the Rookie Program. That said, if your fitness level isn’t quite where you’d like it to be, you may have to work harder to bring those skills up to par outside regular training hours. We recommend this to everyone hoping to graduate the Rookie Program course at the end of the 10 week training period. Skating derby is very physically demanding - from a cardio and also muscular perspective, so don’t turn up expecting a leisurely skate along the Sliema promenade. If you find yourself too far behind, no worries, you can always redo the Rookie Program when it rolls around again.
Weekly training sessions (3 hours on Sundays, from 10am-1pm) are obligatory for Rookies. Plus, you’ll want to find some time to work on your skills solo if you want to pass your basic skill requirements. That adds up to about 5 hours per week for the average skater.
Top of the list is skates, and we don’t mean those adorable glittery Moxi skates you’ve been eyeballing. It’s really important that you have quad skates made specifically for derby if you’d like to keep your ankles in fully working order. Other than that you’ll need a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a mouthguard. You’ll also need to pay the Rookie course fee of €100, which covers your full training course.
Roller derby is pretty hard on the knees, so unless you want to spend the rest of your days dreading the sight of a flight of stairs, you’re gonna need proper derby kneepads. Preferably these, which are the only things we would trust our knees in. Your elbows and wrist pads can be cheaper, since they take fewer direct knocks. You’ll also need a well fitting non-bicycle helmet. Only S1 helmets are multi-impact certified, so they get our stamp of approval. You’re welcome to wear a lower quality helmet, but on your head be it. Literally.
Yes, they’re compulsory at any training session! Knock your teeth out on your own time.
Hey, we love a pretty outdoor skate as much as you do, but they aren’t safe for derby. Roller derby is played in low-cut derby boots, which give you extra ankle mobility and allow you to execute derby moves safely. Some derby moves simply cannot be achieved on ‘artistic’ skates, so you can’t learn proper derby skating in them. We advise you to join in your 'dance skates' only if you intend to get a proper derby skate ASAP, or if you intend to referee.
Players can only skate on quad roller skates, but referees can use roller blades.
A good set of rookie gear can cost around €200-€250 if bought new. Get in touch with us on our socials or email to find out what pre-loved gear is up for sale. We also offer gear rentals, but sizing is limited.
Yes. Get in touch with us to arrange a try-on.
Check out a roller derby game here.
Right now we’ve got two indoor training spots: the National Sports School, Pembroke, on Sundays in the morning, and MCAST Paola on Tuesdays in the evening.