As the start of 2021 derby life approaches, it’s important to make sure you have the right gear to skate safely!
Helmet - #protectyourbrain
Number 1 on the important MUST HAVE list!!! You may be asking yourself, "can’t I just buy any helmet?" NOPE. Flashback: Nine years ago, one year before I started roller derby, I attended my niece’s birthday party at our local roller rink. I was wearing just skates because that’s all I ever skated with since I was young. A kid fell in front of me and instead of falling on top of him, I tried jumping over him. Naturally, I had zero skill in jumping and I fell HARD. I fell so hard the DJ heard my head hit the floor over the loud music. I had a concussion that lasted 6 weeks. I’ll never skate again without a helmet. I only buy S1 helmets and think they’re worth the money for something that will protect my brain.
The 3 brands top-rated brands are:
Mouth Guard
This is my number 2 favorite protective piece. Mostly because my dad is a dentist, so I need to protect my teefs or I’ll get disowned.
There are several mouth guards on the market, but I really like SISU. They’re slim, easy to mold to your mouth, lets you breathe, talk, and drink with it on. Traditional mouth guards (I tried one my first month of boot camp) can be difficult to breathe, talk, and drink. They are also too bulky, IMO. See the different styles of mouth guards here.
Pads: Knee, Elbow, Wrist
When learning the ins and outs of roller derby, we teach you proper derby stance, drills, and mostly: how to fall. What helps reduce the risk of bone breaks? PROTECTIVE PADS. Starting out, I recommend a combo pack. Brands I’ve used and liked: 187 Killer Pads, Smith Scabs, Triple 8, TSG
There are lots of options when choosing pads: Low profile? Easy to put on? Cool colors? Take the time to measure your body parts so you get the best fit. Feel free to reach out to ask what pads people use and why. #safetyfirst
Next time we’ll talk about how to keep your gear “clean and fresh”. HAHA, ew…. #somuchstank