A potential new skater gets last-minute equipment instructions before taking to the floor of the Jeffers High School Gym Sunday as part of the Keweenaw Roller Derby gear try-on. (Kent Kraft/For the Gazette)

PAINESDALE — Those who came in the door to the gym at Jeffers High School after 11 a.m. on Sunday were greeted and immediately asked their shoe size. Since they came for the Keweenaw Roller Derby (KRD) gear try-on, the question made perfect sense.

Introductions started things off, both of current members and those new to the group. Eight new people joined KRD league members to try on gear, learn what was needed to participate in the program, and then see if they could stay upright on their borrowed skates.

As new skaters got their borrowed gear on, they were told a cardinal KRD rule: if you have skates on, you cannot stand up until you also are wearing your helmet. Safety is paramount in the sport for everyone’s protection.

The atmosphere was jovial all around with the new skaters enjoying their time with the generally unfamiliar gear. League members were welcoming, encouraging, and supportive to the new skaters.

When someone fell, it wasn’t always a new skater. Falling and getting back up quickly happens frequently in roller derby, and is something skaters need to learn how to do as safely as possible for themselves and the skaters around them.

If a new skater did fall, a league member dashed out to check on them, commiserate with them, and help them back up to skate some more.

RaginClaw, a long time KRD member, said the league has hosted gear try-ons for a dozen years or so, and always have a good response from the people who show up for them. The retention rate of people who attend one and then participate in the new skater program and join the league doesn’t follow any kind of pattern.

There are so many different reasons people may or may not be interested after one of these events, it is hard to predict. However, league members always enjoy welcoming new skaters into the program and they plan on continuing these initial meet-and-greet sessions well into the future.

Sofia, someone with a background in figure skating, showed up to the gear try-on, because she’d heard about KRD and finally had the time to come out and try on the gear. Saying she had a blast skating around in other people’s gear, she looks forward to returning and learning more about roller derby. She found the team to be very welcoming and encouraging.

Another attendee, Drew, had a personal connection to KRD as her reason for attending. Her mother was on the team as a skater in years past, and now it is her time to be out on the floor skating. Drew didn’t let an early fall change her mind, and was out skating again several more times throughout the hour. She had a lot of fun and looks forward to continuing with the group.

Amelia HitsHart, KRD member, said she was overjoyed with the turnout at the event, and she thought things went really well. Since they moved the gear try-on to February, before the season started, she was happy to see a good turnout.

The move was one of logistics because new skaters could get into the program earlier and have more time to get comfortable on skates and build up some confidence. In previous years, with a compacted time schedule, many new skaters were nervous about making a transition to skating in a bout so quickly.

HitsHart is hopeful those who attended the gear try-on will feel encouraged to return next week when the new skater program officially kicks off for KRD. She also reiterated that people of any skill level are welcome and no previous skating experience is needed. League members will teach all newcomers all the skills they need to know.

RaginClaw announced at the end of this session that KRD is working hard to have gear available for new skaters to use as they start the program. It will take some time for a new skater to get all the required gear, and the team doesn’t want that to be a barrier to participation.

UP NEXT

The KRD squad starts its new skater program on Sunday, March 2, at 12 p.m. in the Jeffers High School gym.

Didn’t make it to the gear try-on but still interested? KRD will still welcome you with the same smiles and openness and encourages everyone interested to join them. Learn more about KRD and the new skater program on their website: https://keweenawrollerderby.com/join/.