New here 🙂

[u/piggyferg]

Hi friends!!

I watched my first bout back in July a fire was lit in me! I signed up for the upcoming academy before I left the building.

I’ve always been able to skate forward, but that’s the extent of my skill set.

We started this week, and day one was so much fun! Very basic drills that I was able to catch on to pretty quickly. Day 2 the drills were much trickier for me to grasp and I left wondering if this is really something I could ever do.

I’m finding that there is a lot of stretching and strength training I’ll need to do at home. But I’m just wondering if at 30 years old this is really something I can catch on to.

Any words of wisdom or encouragement welcome ♥️

[u/Alarming_Regret_3754]

Rest assured, 30 is plenty youthful in the derby world. Keep at it, be intentional with off skates training, and have fun!

[u/Perfectly_Killer]

I know it seems like a lot to learn but try to look on the bright side. Soon you’ll be able to do so many cool things you’ve never imagined you would!

Take it one step at a time and go day by day. It’s not “I can’t do it”, it’s “I can’t do it YET”

[u/RoamingChromeLoam]

Average age in my league is probably around 40. You’re plenty young 😁

[u/VMetal314]

Derby is not easy. It's a lot, and to do it safely it does require stretching and training outside of practice. But it's incredibly rewarding and empowering and I've made some of the best friendships of my life in it. If you really want to do it you absolutely can, just keep going. Falling=learning

[u/MidwesternNightmare]

I grew up going to a roller rink every Friday and Saturday until I quit skating at 17 because I got a job and a car.

I put on skates again at 34 for a new skater program and while skating came back quickly, I had to unlearn a bunch of bad habits and form from being self taught, and I was horrifically out of shape 2-3 pack a day smoker that quit the day I started camp and I hadn’t worked out in over a decade.

I felt like I was coughing up my lungs, and almost every muscle and joint in my body was sore for months, and I felt like I would never get proper form or core skills because of my bad form.

I found places to practice outside of program days and would repeat what I was struggling with until it clicked or I got tired of it. I started walking until I felt good about jogging, and then about running. Started doing some basic core exercises a few minutes in the morning and by the end of my first year of derby was helping teach the next batch of skaters.

I’m 3 years in now, and I’m physically and mentally healthier than I’ve been in a long time, I haven’t smoked in 2 years (I picked it up again for a while) I have an amazing group of friends, have confidence in myself again, and some of the skaters from the group I helped teach can absolutely hand me my ass on the track, and I truly couldn’t be happier about it.

Edit to add:
It isn’t a perfectly upward trajectory. Expect to occasionally feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’ve taken steps backwards. Don’t measure yourself against others, and this early on don’t even measure yourself against yourself. Just show up and do your best, and check in with yourself in a month.

[u/x_rebelrose_x]

I also started at 30 and have been at it for almost 6 years now. Give yourself some grace and time to learn new skills, it's definitely not something you can learn overnight!

[u/Hangman4358]

Some things we tell our new skaters:

1. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone learns at their own rate. Compare yourself to yourself from 3 months ago and just think about all the things you have learned in that time.

2. You need to practice outside of practice. Be it being on wheels or training balance or strength. Just start doing everyday activities one one leg. Brushing teeth? Balance on one leg, then half way through switch. All of a sudden you are balancing for 20 minutes on a single leg. Doing dishes? Derby stance! Etc. etc.

3. Find the fun in derby. Does derby light up those dopamine receptors of yours? Even on the suckiest days at least something should you give you a little bit of that high. And if it doesn't, do you actually enjoy derby or do you like the thought of being someone who enjoys derby? If you don't, thats fine, but why spend your time doing something that you don't actually like? It's way healthier, both mentally and physically, to admit that and then do something you actually like like to do than force yourself to do derby.

[u/Smooth-Airline-606]

Also just wanted to plug, you can always help with non-skating offical (NSO) stuff as you build up in the program. That's what I'm doing. Good luck!

[u/NaturalBornSpiller31]

Started at 31. Still skating 15 yrs later

[u/FaeFatale3]

Active playing skaters in my league/team are 18 - 55. Yes. I joined at 44. Head coach is 47. We have several people currently in our green training program in their late 30s and early 40s. Just take care of your body. Hydrate. Stretch. Take vitamins. Eat a well balanced athletic diet, high in protein. Replenish your electrolytes. Soak your muscles in Epsom Salt baths. Get massages. Go to a chiropractor. Train your body. Get padded up. Get butt pads if you need it or want extra protection for your tailbone. You got this!

[u/Opening_Helicopter_9]

I started derby at 39 :) I hadn't been on skates since middle school. It'll take time, but it is absolutely a reasonable thing to stick with. Even if you decide to never really bout, you'll leave bootcamp/basic skills with, well, a lot of new skills!

[u/piggyferg → u/Opening_Helicopter_9]

This is such a helpful take- I can just show up to learn to skate and not get too wrapped up in the actual derby of it all yet. Thank you!!

[u/hitman97icon]

I had friends who started derby in their late 40s and retired from the sport just before they turned 60 (would've made it if their league hadn't folded).

Best of luck to you and may you enjoy your time in the sport.

[u/luckiestducks]

I also just started derby at 30! I have days where I question whether or not I can do this. Yesterday I sobbed in my car after practice 😂 but I did get the reminder from players to give yourself grace and it’s actually a hard thing to learn. Some days I feel like I do better than others. I just tell myself to keep showing up, not to be perfect but if anything just for myself.

[u/salty-watermelon]

i did a new skater program last January, 6 months in i started contact drills and learning the game. i encourage cross training to build you bone density, lots of ankle strengthening exercises and stretches. in my new skater program i skated at least 3x a week and went to the gym twice a week for arms. that’s just me. i’m 30 :) congrats on joining! it’s so fun.