New Crew; From dance to roller derby.
Finding Chicago-Style Roller Derby was the thing in my life I did not know that I needed. If you grew up in any sort of team sport or physical activity, then you probably bring a series of experiences with you from your past. For me, my past was filled with dance rehearsals, competitions, auditions, and performances. I was constantly surrounded by other dancers who had the same goals and ambitions I had. I was often competing against my fellow dancers for a small number of parts in performances. The world of professional dance is filled with comparison, rejection, and in my case, a world of crippling self-doubt. That, mixed with the physical and emotional strain that body dysmorphia and shame have on the dance community, left me with no choice but to move on from this beloved yet exhausting and discouraging atmosphere for my own mental health. About a year after making this decision, I found Chicago-Style and the world of roller derby.
Equipped with my Facebook marketplace used derby skates, some borrowed pads, a helmet, and more than enough social anxiety; I attended my first practice with Chicago-Style New Crew. Walking into the first day of New Crew was intimidating—especially since I forgot to bring a mouth guard on the first day. Luckily, I was able to borrow a brand-new, although ill-fitting, backup mouth guard from the league! (Cannot recommend SISU mouth guards enough. A well-fitting mouth guard is VERY important for comfort.) Despite my rough and ready set of gear, I was completely hooked after the first
practice. Luckily, CSRD does have loaner gear for New Crew members that are unable to scrape
together a set of gear before the first day. The rink we practice at, Coachlite Skate Center, also has skates you can rent until you have your own!
The group that showed up for New Crew in August of 2023 was a wonderfully refreshing mix of people. Some had skated before, some had never laced up roller skates before New Crew. Some had skated before, but only on roller blades. Some had done roller derby a long time ago, while others had just learned about roller derby in the weeks prior to New Crew.
We were a group of many ages, shapes, sizes, personalities, and skills. We saw so much amazing progress in ourselves and each other as we all did our best to show up week after week. It was in the first few weeks of practice that I began to realize roller derby at Chicago-Style was nothing like my experiences in dance. There was an emphasis on progress at your own pace. The encouragement I experienced from coaches, league members, and from my fellow New Crew members was a kind of support I did not know that I needed. Nobody judged anyone for not picking up a skill right away, or for falling down a lot. No one got upset for accidentally falling into someone else, it was all in the name of fun with an emphasis on safety.
After the first few weeks of practice, we had learned very basic skating safety including many ways to stop and fall safely. This is invaluable because you do a very large amount of stopping and falling in roller derby! I remember taking my first fall onto my tailbone and feeling pretty shaken up after. I was able to get up and skate off to the side of the rink, thinking that I was going to mind my emotions and pain on my own. Instead, I was met with two skaters from Safety Committee, meaning their job in our league is to attend to and check on skaters who have gotten hurt at practice. They helped calm me down and encouraged me to breathe. They took me outside for some fresh air and let me know that I was not alone. This is one of the moments I experienced in New Crew where I began to realize that just by being here with these people, I was not only going to be noticed, but I would also be cared for by community.
Trying something new can be very daunting. Going into a new space with all new people to
learn a new skill is not for the faint of heart. In fact, the people I have met though Chicago-Style Roller Derby are some of the bravest and strongest people I know! All the work I have put in through the New Crew program has more than paid off in the love and community support. Not to mention the straight up stupid, weird fun that I have gotten to be a part of as a league member. If you are ready for a new experience, new friends, and the wonderful, special word of derby; look no further than the New Crew program. I cannot recommend it enough! Even if you are on the fence, come to our upcoming Recruitment Night on March 10th. We would love, love, love to see you there.
Author: Venus Thightrap #511
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