Gear
All skaters are required to provide and maintain their own skates and safety equipment to participate. All skaters must utilize quad speed skates. Please review the complete list of required equipment below:
Skates: Riedell Derby R3s are a great skate to start out with. They retail out to be about $145. This skate includes a decent boot, protective toe guards, and Radar Flat out wheels. This package will last about a year with good maintenance. There are many different brands to choose from, it’s all personal preference. The more money you spend, the higher quality the skate will be. Most skates are sized to men, so go down 1-1.5 sizes depending on brand and style. Remember, your boot will stretch and expand as you break it in.
Wheels: Outdoor or softer wheels are recommended for our practice space. The Radar Flat Outs or Flat Outrageous’ are a good beginner wheel.
Knee Pads: We take knee safety very serious and recommend that you purchase the highest quality knee pads available. There are many brands to choose from. Some skater favorites include 187s, Smith Scabs, and Atom. Remember to try on your knee pads at the time of purchase to ensure that they sit snugly.
Elbow Pads & Wrist Guards: Most brands are pretty good as long as they fit properly and do not have exposed Velcro to catch on clothing or other skaters.
Helmet: You will need a standard, multi-impact rated, solid black hockey helmet. Be sure to have your helmet fitted for you when you try it on. Hockey Headquarters, Play It Again Sports, Scheels are great places to look.
Mouth Guard: Every skater is required to have a fit-to-you mouth guard. These may be purchase at many major retailers: Wal-mart, Target, and Scheels are just a few to name. Kusek Dentistry in Sioux Falls is a sponsor of SFRD and can provide you with a custom-fitted mouth guard. The custom guards last longer and allow skaters to breathe and talk easier with them engaged.
Non-required Safety Equipment: If you are concerned about lower back, hip, shin, or tailbone injury there are extensive pads and guards available. Though none of these items are required to skate, your specific medical history and/or comfort level should dictate whether you require more protection when you skate or not.
All skaters skate at their own risk. Prior to the beginning of practice, all participants will be required to sign a standard liability waiver absolving the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz of any liability to injury caused during or at a Roller Dollz event. Though we do not require insurance for skaters, it is high recommended that skater acquire at minimum a major accident insurance policy. During the regular season, all skaters are covered under WFTDA league insurance during practice, bouts and related events.
Still have questions?? Email the Coaching Committee! coaching@rollerdollz.com
For resources on WFTDA minimum skills and rules visit www.WFTDA.com