How to Join 4th Street Retro Rollers

Roller derby is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity. Played on roller skates, it is a competitive, contact sport organized into teams called "derbies." The 4th Street Retro Rollers are a roller derby team that is part of a larger league called the Long Beach Roller Derby. It is comprised of 14 women, but there is also a larger group of "sub skaters" and new skaters who practice with the team and fill in as replacements when regular team members cannot compete.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact the Long Beach Roller Derby. The contact information is listed on the "Join" page, which is linked to in the Resources section. You may also contact the group through their social networking sites, Myspace and Facebook. These sites are also linked to in the Resources section.

    • 2

      Attend an open house meet and greet event. These events are listed on the group's online events calendar, which is linked to in the Resources section. To attend these events, you do not need any experience, as the group is willing to teach beginners how to skate. You will need to bring your own skates, pads and helmets. At these open houses, you will have the opportunity to watch a practice, talk to the group's current members and leaders, learn basic roller derby skills and skate with other beginners. The calendar is up-to-date, so check the site frequently.

    • 3

      Follow the group's blog or sign up for its email newsletter. There is an option to sign up for the newsletter on the "Join" page linked to in the Resources section. The group's blog is also linked in the Resources section. Both of these options will keep you informed about upcoming events and opportunities to join the team.

    • 4

      Clear your schedule. Practices can be very time consuming, involving 2-hour practices 4 days a week for 7 months leading up to a bout. As a member, you may also be expected to contribute to the management of the team off the track.