by Jill B. Nimble

Q: I want to join the roller derby. What kind of skates should I buy?

A: Okay back up a minute. Wanting to join the roller derby and actually doing it are two different things. If you haven't skated since that birthday party in 1988, then let's talk about getting you back on wheels first.

The Riedell R3s, Riedell Carrera, and Rock Flames are great for beginners, but aren't meant for derby. They just are not built to withstand the abuse we put skates through. At $80-$130 they won't break your bank account, they will last long enough for you to learn to do the basics (skate, crossovers, weave, fall, & jump), and they will buy you enough time to decide if derby is something you are committed to. They are made with padded tennis shoe type boots that are comfy and ready to skate the minute you get them so you can go to your local rink, buy, and roll. They are what most of us started out in and some girls are still using them over a year later. Most of us have upgraded and are now using these for our "outdoor skates."

My personal opinion is that the R3s are the way to go for your first pair of skates. They are comfortable & cheap (I got mine from East End for $115) and the plates are bolted (not riveted) to the boot which is sturdier and means the plates can be removed and replaced. (Check out http://www.sincityskates.com/2nd/R3.html for more information.)

The Rock Flames are cheaper and if you have wide feet then they are the way to go. But the plates are riveted onto the boots (sucky!) and they have the odd 7mm axels (most wheels and bearing are made for 8mm axles). But like I said if you have wide feet then these will save you some pain. (You can get an 8mm set up for $40 at http://sincityskates.com/2nd/tri-flame.html for $40.)

Some skaters will swear by the Carreras but I've heard a lot of girls say they are uncomfortable. Originally designed for recreational use, this boot runs narrow in the toe box & does not have much "give." Please consider other skates.

Once you have gotten to the point where you are skating hard enough & often enough to abuse the "beginner skate" into submission you will need a new "derby worthy" pair of skates. You will know it is time for new skates by the symptomatic beginner skate's pivot & pivot insert popping out of its hole, causing your wheel to turn sideways, landing you on your ass. At this point you'll be around dozens of derby girls twice a week and will be able to try out all of your options and ask all sorts of questions.

Since you're still reading, I'll give you my opinion on the matter. Skates that will withstand the abuse of derby are going to cost around $200 at the least. A few of the favorites from what I can tell are the Riedell 122s (http://sincityskates.com/2nd/122-packages.html) - notice there's no handy Velcro strap at the top of these. Some girls like it, some don't. (Your "beginner skates" come with it, so you'll figure out your preference.) The Riedelle 125s (http://www.sincityskates.com/2nd/125-packages.html) are just like the 122s but with the Velcro strap. The Riedell 265 (http://www.sincityskates.com/2nd/265.html) is the first "made for roller derby" skate and it just came out in Dec 2006. These three range from $180-$250. There are better, or at least more expensive, skates out there. If you are willing to pay that much, well, will you be my sugar mama???

Notice all of my links lead you to one website, Sin City Skates (http://www.sincityskates.com/index.html). This is a derby girl owned and operated web business. Other websites advertise "derby discounts" but they are just trying to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sin City has great prices (check out their rookie packages http://sincityskates.com/2nd/packages/SCS-rookie.htm), they know derby so they can and will answer any of your questions (http://blog.myspace.com/sincityskates), they have the fastest "standard" shipping I've ever seen, and they stand behind their motto: "We give a fuck!"

SUPPORT YOUR DERBY SISTERS!!! Shop Sin City!