So! Roller Derby, eh?!
After hearing friends talk about Roller Derby and seeing the movie Whip It last year, I was feeling a twinge that maybe I wanted to go watch some Roller Derby. When I finally saw my first Auld Reekie Roller Girls game in Edinburgh, I was hooked. I had fun watching it, but more than anything, I wanted to be down on that track!
Fast forward to a week ago and a montage of shots of myself falling a lot, failing at and eventually managing techniques and zooming around a small track with the Capital City Rollers in Leith.
Fast forward to today, and I'm in Glasgow buying my starter kit from 5th Blocker! I'm sure my story so far is very familiar to a lot of people who are into Roller Derby in Scotland. It's a good thing this story involves 5th Blocker as well! Since my phone call to them last week to check on stock, I've been met with the same welcoming, patient and friendly attitude I've encountered every step of the way so far among the Roller Derby lot.
The shop is tiny and you don't have a lot of space to move around, but everything you need is there. It's a bit cold in the winter months, as their heater is janky, but that's okay. I won't say this "adds to the indie appeal" because that's a term reserved for a special kind of buffoon, but it's something i won't hold against a small shop owned and staffed by people who are passionate about the tiny but growing sport they cater to and indeed compete in themselves.
This isn't sports direct or some other shop that sells gear for every sport but doesn't know anything about any of them. They do one thing, and they do it well. Hopefully, Derby will grow to the point where these great folk can expand and operate in more comfortable space, but for now they have everything they need right here.
You should definitely make sure you have enough time when you come, though! And call ahead if you have a long way to go. I spent an hour and a half in there getting all my gear tried on, choosing helmets, having new wheels put on my skates (definitely pay the £25 extra to the starter kit to have softer wheels put on unless you're quite big. New wheels are much more expensive to buy after the fact! Plus, you can choose funky colours, and it's never too early to personalise!) etc.
PS: vegetarians, rejoice! Not only are the starter kit skates PVC based rather than leather, but they also have vegetarian-friendly options for toe protectors for your boots.
It took longer as there was already someone in trying on shoes, but you can't assume you'll be the only customer. The person in there before me was still looking at shoes and pads when I left, and that's cool too! The patience of the 5th Blocker folk seems to know no bounds!
So make sure you have the time to spend, and keep a warm coat on, and you'll leave happy as Larry/ Lori.
Can't wait to try my kit out tomorrow!! read more