Keweenaw Roller Derby – Skate with us!

ENHANCE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO ROLLER DERBY WITH OPEN GEAR LIBRARY

KRD Giving Bean Coffee & Tea Fundraiser

Purpose: Increase access to roller derby by decreasing financial barriers
Funding: KRD Gear Library and Skater Financial Assistance
Goal: $2,000
Dates: 3/24/2024 – 5/4/2024

Buy coffee and support a skater! Keweenaw Roller Derby (KRD), a 501(c)(3) flat-track roller derby league in the Copper Country, is excited to share our upcoming Giving Bean Coffee & Tea Fundraiser. For every purchase made via this fundraiser, KRD receives up to 40% of the profit. These funds will be allocated to establish a KRD Gear Library and a Skater Financial Assistance fund. These programs aim to alleviate these financial deterrents and make roller derby in the Copper Country accessible to everyone.

To participate safely in roller derby, skaters must be equipped with appropriate gear. A full set of basic, new equipment (skates, pads, helmet, and mouthguard) costs a minimum of $350. This upfront cost to starting roller derby can deter individuals who would benefit physically and mentally from participation in an inclusive, supportive, and driven athletic community. Similarly, there are ongoing dues and insurance costs each skater must pay to maintain membership; the Skater Financial Assistance fund is designed to support skaters who may be facing financial hardship.

Keweenaw Roller Derby is excited to work with you to bring roller derby to more people across the Copper Country! To place an order for the Giving Bean Coffee & Tea Fundraiser, click or scan the following images:

For more information on KRD’s Giving Bean Coffee & Tea Fundraiser and how to support the KRD Gear Library, please visit keweenawrollerderby.com or contact Kara Paavilainen at communityrelations@keweenawrollerderby.com.

Featured Skater: Scrambled Legs

Scrambled Legs posing in front of a brick wall with fire coming from her knee. — Photo by Brockit, Inc.

Name: Scrambled Legs or just Legs if we’re friends!

Number: 77

Team/League History: I’ve only had the pleasure of skating with KRD.

How did you get involved with roller derby? I’ve wanted to be in roller derby since high school but never really lived near a great team. When I moved to the area and heard about KRD I practically died of happiness and joined the next open new skater program!

Where are you from originally? Born and raised Yooper.

Name a fun little known fact about you: I love getting caught in the rain! The worse the storm, the better.

How did you pick your name? I have long legs, which are often in a state of being scrambled even off skates. Plus puns bring joy to all who hear them.

What is your pre-derby sports/skating background? I have frequently lied about playing basketball in high school because I’m tall… some people have fallen for it.

Please tell us about your rookie year and how you learned to play or officiate roller derby? I was by a pretty good measure the worst of the new recruits. I could barely skate more than a few strides without falling. And it was totally fine! KRD is so supportive of skaters at all levels and I’ve come so far since then.

Do you have a pre-game ritual? I love donning my war paint and bout outfit with a playlist that definitely includes Katie Perry and Shania Twain. It makes me feel so empowered.

Do you have a favorite motivational quote? It’s basic, and Nike probably owns the trademark, but “Just do it,” has always got me.

What is your position of choice? I’m a blocker, I hope to play all positions and jam someday though!

What is your favorite drill at practice and why? When we set up obstacle courses. So fun!

How would you describe your derby playing style? Scrambled haha. Maybe wiggly.

What advice do you have for people who want to get involved in roller derby? It’s not just something we say, no matter your skating ability or athleticism you belong. And if being a skating player doesn’t suit you, there are a bunch of other ways to stay involved and maintain the awesome camaraderie, namely officiating and reffing.

Keeping with our 2024 season theme (A Decade of Derby), what is your personal favorite decade or era? Why? I’m a vintage fashion aficionado. The 1930’s-40’s will always have my heart. Vintage vibes, not vintage values!

And lastly, favorite places in the Keweenaw? Misery Bay is the place to be!

New Skater Program

NEWSKATERPOSTERS

Keweenaw Roller Derby 2023 Drop-In Info Session: Skate With Us!

Are you ready for an exhilarating and empowering adventure on wheels? Look no further! KRD is excited to announce our new skater info sesh, designed to introduce aspiring skaters and volunteers to the thrilling world of roller derby. Whether you’ve never skated a day in your life, have years of skating experience, or are somewhere in between—this session is the perfect opportunity to learn more about roller derby and have fun!

Date, Time, and Location:
The new skater program will take place on Sunday, June 4th, from 1-3pm (drop-in) at the Calumet Colosseum located at 110 Red Jacket Rd., Calumet, MI 49913

Inclusive for All:
This session is open to anyone aged 18 and up, regardless of gender. While league skaters must identify as female or non-binary, the program welcomes referees and non-skating officials of all genders. Roller derby isn’t just about league skaters, it’s a collaborative effort that requires a dedicated team.

Group photo of the Keweenaw Roller Derby team in full skating gear striking fun poses.

Gear Fitting and Gear List:
When you consider starting roller derby, KRD understands that getting the right gear can be overwhelming. That’s why our experienced skaters have dedicated time to help you try on gear, determine your size, and provide you with a comprehensive gear list and info about our upcoming new skater program.

No Obligations:
We want you to feel at ease, which is why there are no obligations to join the team at the end of the session. It serves as an opportunity for you to explore the sport, learn some basics, and see if roller derby is the right fit for you.

Contact Information:
If you have any questions or want additional information about our new skater program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can email us at info@keweenawrollerderby.com.

So shake off those reservations, begin your skating journey with us this June 4th, and never look back!

Photo courtesy Jim Dier Photography

Join Roller Derby in 2022!

We’re recruiting new skaters, referees, and non-skating officials. No experience necessary at all – we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

Keweenaw Roller Derby is a group of individuals determined to establish a thriving, committed roller derby community throughout the area that fosters self-esteem, community spirit, sportsmanship, and leadership skills in its members.

Attend one or both recruitment events:

Virtual Q&A
April 9, 4-5p
Drop in to get all your questions answered!
Please register in order to receive the virtual Q&A link.

Skating Meet & Greet
April 10, 1-3p
We’ll be at Finlandia’s Hirvonen Hall Gym (Downtown Hancock – the gym is on the first floor, just to the left of the main entrance). Drop in to try on gear, skate around, and get more questions answered! Registration not required but appreciated so we can have enough gear on hand!

Can’t attend any events or have questions? Reach out to us at info@keweenawrollerderby.com or via our Facebook page!

FAQs about Joining Keweenaw Roller Derby

What is the New Skater Program ?

This is the multi-week training session we offer at least once a season. If you attend you will learn basic skating and derby skills such as, stopping, blocking, transitions, skating in a group, and more. It is intended for team-building, to get you to a point at which you can safely join the rest of the team for full-practices and games.

What if I want to officiate?

Yes please! Skating Officials can use quad or inline skates and are welcome to go through the New Skater Program in order to develop their skating skills and understanding of the game.

When is the next New Skater Program?

Sundays starting April 24, 2022

Do I need to know how to skate?

Not even a little bit! We accept all skill levels into our New Skater Program and will teach you all the skating skills you need to know.

Any other requirements?

You need to be 18 or older and you should be in OK health. You don’t have to be crazy athletic, but derby is a rough, full-contact sport. You will be hit, fall down, and get bruises. Use your common sense! You are also required to have secondary insurance through the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association to skate with us ($75/year).

Do I need my own gear?

Yes. We’ll host a Meet & Greet where you can try on gear, and we may be able to provide loaner equipment for a short time. However, you will need to purchase your own equipment.

What kind of gear?

Every skater is required to wear a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, a mouth guard and quad roller skates. We can provide gear recommendations and may even have some used gear available for sale.

What happens after the New Skater Program?

At the end of the program, skaters who can skate safely in a group will join full-league practices while refs and non-skating officials will begin working with our Officials crew. Skaters who are not quite able to join practices yet will have ample opportunity to participate in practices without full-contact drills!

Because we are skater owned and operated, once you join the team and participate in full-league practices, you will be expected to make practice attendance requirements, pay dues (currently $45/month) which serves the league’s operating costs, and to work fundraisers and events whenever possible.