New Skater FAQs

Our training program will teach you everything you need to know about skating. Whether you've been athletic all of your life, or you have never played a sport, you will learn all you need to know during training. We teach you how to skate, glide, turn, stop and yes, even fall.

- Completed Registration Form, found here. - Registration fee - WFTDI Canada Insurance - Skating Safety Equipment - Front and back photocopy of Drivers License (or other form of gov't ID) and health card - Image Release and Conduct Form SIgned (at the first session)

- Quad Roller Skates - Multi-Impact Helmet - Elbow Pads - Knee Pads - Wrist Guards - Mouthguard What should you wear you ask? Wear something that you can move comfortably in. You will probably get quite sweaty and will need room for leg movement. Most skaters tend to wear sport leggings, or jogging pants with tshirts/tanks. Be sure to bring a zip-up sweater if you are someone who gets cold - our arena sometimes gets chilly in the colder months.

There are several places you can find your gear! There are local Facebook groups that deal in used derby gear, just do a quick search on Facebook. One reputable one is 'Used Roller Derby Gear - Ontario'. You can also search Facebook Marketplace, or Kijiji for ask a current league member about used equipment. If you're looking to buy brand-spankin-new equipment, here are some really great derby-owned online shops. LowLife Skate Shop (Montreal, QC) - www.lowlifemtl.comRollergirl (Vancouver, BC) - www.rollergirl.caBad Girlfriend Skates (Morinville, AB) -www.badgirlfriendskates.comConfused on what to buy? Feel free to ask your local derby league questions, or the shop owners of the above websites - they're all great!

https://www.wftdicanada.ca/cpages/membership

You need to be over 18 to join our new skater sessions for adults. Our Juniors program is 9-17 years of age. For more info on our Juniors program, click HERE. No experience is necessary for either.

The Learn to Skate Program runs for 60 minutes per week for 10-12 weeks. Following this, you may integrate into the league if you wish to play roller derby.

You’re more than welcome to attend our new skater sessions if you just want to learn how to skate. The skating comes first, the roller derby part is secondary for our Learn to Skate sessions. Also, if you want to skate, but don’t like the idea of hitting people on skates, we can teach you to be a roller derby referee. Come along to our new skater sessions as usual, and then we’ll put you in touch with our Officiating Crew, who, trust us, will be more than happy to welcome you.

In one word, YES! Roller derby is a great way to get in shape and most of our skaters started off in exactly the same place you are. Everyone has to start somewhere – all we need from you is a little grit and determination.

We're pretty lucky to have a facility that we call home for both our Learn to Skate sessions, regular practiices and events and bouts. We call the Haig Bowl Arena home-sweet-rink and you can find it at 17 Beech Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 2B6.