Become a Skater!

Come to our Meet and Greet with your skates and casual skate with us or just come out to get more information on what it takes to become a skater, ref, volunteer, or sponsor! Don’t have skates yet? This is an awesome opportunity to try on some gear and see what size skates you will need! Meet some friends who could be your future teammates!

No previous skating skill is necessary. Our amazing Training Committee will teach you everything you need to know about skating, stopping, and falling. DONT WORRY, we dont hit on the first date. 😉

HIT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Our Highrollers in Training (HIT) program is a 12-week training program for all new skaters.  Our HIT program is for skaters with limited experience with roller skating and/or roller derby or no experience.  Over the 12 week program our experienced coaches will lead you through drills to build basic, safety and endurance skills on and off skates. Fitness is a huge part of our HIT program, we will start every practice with cardio, strength training and agility work.  Of course, you will also learn the rules & basics of how to play roller derby!  We strongly recommend coming to every practice.  We will be going over new rules and roller derby gameplay every practice and we don’t want you to miss out on important information!

PRACTICE INFORMATION & FEES

Dates 

July 23, 2024 – October 8th, 2024

Days/Times

Tuesdays & Thursdays – 6:30PM – 9:30PM (The first 1 ½ hour is coach lead and the remaining is individual practice time)

Location

*Charleston Area Convention Center – 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418

Our first practice will be in Hall C.  *Practices will be either in one of the Exhibit Halls or the Coliseum.  If there is a parking attendant, inform them that you are here for roller derby practice.

Dues

$45 for the entire 12-week HIT program.  Your dues must be paid on or before the first practice.  We accept Cash or Venmo @Lowcountry-HighRollers (our picture is our logo).  If sending a venmo – put HIT program in the notes.

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)  Insurance – $75.  Along with the fee for the HIT program, you will be required to purchase WFTDA insurance.  This will need to be purchased by 8/06/24.  More information on how to purchase insurance will be given out at your first practice.

*Our HIT Program & Team Practices are closed to spectators

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

You will need a mouthguard, helmet and pads on at all times in order to be on skates.  We do have a few pairs of loaner gear, but our supply is limited and is first come, first serve.  It is expected that you have all your own equipment within the first 2 weeks of practice.  We highly recommend starting by ordering a package from Bruised Boutique.  (www.bruisedboutique.com)  They have roller derby package deals that will get you everything you need to get started.  The “Rookie” and  “Hero” packages are our favorites!  We do not recommend ordering your gear off amazon or at a local store.  You will want to be sure the gear you order is specifically designed for roller derby.

Every practice you will need to bring with you the following:

  • *Mouthguard (We recommend the Sisu Brand).  *You must bring your own mouthguard, we do not give out loaners.
  • Helmet
  • Quad Skates (IMPORTANT – Check sizing – sizing for skates is different than shoe sizes – You will usually size down 1-2 sizes from your normal shoe size.)
  • Pads (Knee pads – the thicker the better,, Elbow pads, Wrist Guards)
  • Sneakers
  • Water 
  • One Black & One Pink Shirt (These can be something you already own and it can have any design on it)

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE 12 WEEKS?

This is a great question!  Everyone’s roller derby journey is unique to them!  Our goal as a league is to have you feel confident in your skating skills and knowledge of the game of roller derby.  This timing looks different for everyone.  You will be assessed at the end of the 12 week HIT program for entry on to the Lowcountry Highrollers team.  If you are ready based on your skating skills and gameplay knowledge, you will be invited to join the team.  If you still need more time to perfect your skills, we will ask you to return back to our HIT program.  It may take a few times through our HIT program to join the team, and that is OK!  Not everyone is ready in 12 weeks.  A lot depends on your fitness level and level of skating coming in, your commitment, attendance and work ethic.  

BEING A LOWCOUNTRY HIGHROLLER TEAM MEMBER

Becoming a team member of the Lowcountry Highrollers is an experience you will never forget.  It is filled with fun, fitness and family.  With everyone working towards a single goal on the track you become not just teammates, but family.  Team members of the Lowcountry Highrollers do more than just practice.  The Lowcountry Highrollers is a 501c3 non-profit, which means the league is run by us, the skaters.  Lowcountry Highrollers also work to give money back to our community through partnerships & donations with other nonprofits.  So not only do we benefit, so does our community!

Once on the team, skaters are required to follow our bylaws, pay monthly dues, make attendance requirements, be a part of a committee and follow league rules.  We will go over more on this information during the 12 week HIT program.  It might sound like a lot, but we promise, it is worth it!

So you can prepare to be on the team, here is some important information 

Monthly Team Dues – $35 – Attendance requirement (most practices are T/TH) – 60% of practices

WHAT DO I NEED FOR MY FIRST PRACTICE?

  • Come to practice 10 minutes early to get your paperwork started
  • Bring your photo ID
  • Bring your $45 Dues – Cash or Venmo @Lowcountry-Highrollers (Our logo is the picture)
  • Gear 
  • Ready to CRUSH it attitude

QUESTIONS? – Don’t hesitate to ask us a question!  [email protected]