So after my foray into outdoor skating a couple weekends ago, I realized that being off-skate for a year can be detrimental to progress in rollerskating and roller derby ability. So I vowed that I'd start skating whenever I could indoor and outdoor now that the snow is gone.

While looking at training, outdoor skating, and various other information, I came across some news that may not be derby-centric, but skating is skating... you know?

So first off, the pro-skating.
Worldofskates.com celebrated their one-year anniversary online last month by starting their own blog to help skaters find information on skate-related topics. They promote quad skates, as well as hockey skates and inline skates. The blog is SkateKingdom.com and it looks pretty clean. I don't know that it will become a resource for me, but I'm pro-anything that's pro-skating, so here we are. ;)

Ok, in the NO-Skating BOOOO area of my internet ramblings, I came across the story of Geoff Dornan, 71, of Normanhurst, Ormskirk. He rollerblades. Ok, I don't like rollerblades myself, but they are the societal norm and easy to buy anywhere, so I can forgive it. Geoff has been skating he says, for 7 years, and he street skates. He's appealing a fine of of £300 and costs of £1,792, accused at North Sefton Magistrates' Court of skating, sliding or riding on footpaths in "such a manner as to cause danger or give reasonable grounds for annoyance" to pedestrians. In actuality, it seems Geoff is quite responsible in his skating practice.

As a pedestrian, I have to say that groups of people walking sometimes expose me to harm. People on cell phones, not watching where they are going, cyclists on the sidewalks, dogs on leashes, and baby strollers also sometimes put me in danger. Watch where you are going and you can avoid most pitfalls, people. Someone 71 years old, heck above 25, is probably not going to intentionally run into you - it would hurt them as bad as it would you!

As long as the skater is giving you ample room and warning, and isn't crashing into your babies stroller trying to jump it, skating at a high speed, or body-checking grandma, they aren't hurting you. It's more likely that they will wipeout trying to avoid you, than they would actually run into you.

Geoff is an honorary rollerguy in my book. I say, Keep Skating, Geoff! Good Luck!

Labels: roller guy, roller skates, roller skating

My first winter in Southern Ontario, Canada. After 12 years in Montreal, Quebec, I was thrilled with the low number of below -30 degrees Celsius windchills and disappointed with Ontario's cleaning of sidewalks, salting of roadways, and the lack of winter driving tires and skills on Ontario roads.

But, this year, like a lot of Canada, global warming has brought a mid-winter thaw that has resulted in the melt-off of all the snow. You can see muddy grass, the roads and sidewalks are clear, and today at +1 Celsius (about 34 degress Farenheit) the Bayfront Park in Hamilton was quite busy.

So off I went. Trekked through downtown Hamilton with my skates over my shoulder, wearing three-layers of clothing (including thermals, says the girl from North Carolina that moved to Canada, and admiring my brand-new Kryptonic Route 65 wheels from Rollergirl.ca.

So first off, it was chilly near the still-frozen water, and there is a lot of goose crap at Bayfront Park. And since the paths are kept cleared, there was an asphalt path covered in water in some areas (from snow melting), goose crap in a lot of areas, gravel and twigs. But the sun was nice, so what the heck!

Secondly, and more importantly, the new wheels are awesome outdoor wheels for fun skates! Okay, even with China Reds bearings, they aren't as fast as my Blue Demons, but they are smooth over the bumpier surfaces, are sidewalk-usable and I think they were a great buy! Just a little slow. But put a big girl on soft wheels and it's a good strength training addition to skating. LOL

With no pads, untested wheels on my old skates, and avoiding the ground hazards (well, you can skate over goose crap, but I really didn't want to clean it off my skates later) I kept the skate short and sweet. Just long enough to get warmed up and have some fun. Then I just took a stroll and trekked home. The mess on my skates after reminded me of how skates looked on MTL Rollergirls after we skated/marched in the Montreal St Patrick's Day parades. Only better and less muddy.

No worries. Attempt number 2 will come and I'll wear my knee pads so I can be a little more reckless and we'll see if I can get in a decent training skate on Kryptonics. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'll enjoy that I went recreational skating in February and that I get to spend some time cleaning my skates for next time.... L8r Sk8rs...

Labels: roller skates, roller skating

Ok, here's a quick stab at a 2008 Christmas list for the rollergirls and guys in your life.

• DerbyLuv merchandise is a luvver's delight. (haha not that is shameless self-promotion, eh?)
• How about a roller derby street sign for those that want to mark their territory!
• A Lust and Gore Hardwear bearing necklace for the hardcore metal wearers, and girlie girls alike.
• Write them a Roller Derby Love Letter like this one from Rockford Rage Roller Derby.
• Write up an anecdote and get them immortalized in Jams! (you have until Dec 31 for submittals!)
• For the younger set, those rollergirls-in-training and jr rollergirls, how about some Funky Fun?
• Propose to your derby sister to become her derby wife in 2009! Or if you know she'll love them, some metallic-striped leg warmers! But if you are lost, there is always a Rollergirl.ca gift certificate!

In other news, I have made it. Christmas Day is my 90th day of not smoking, and I am now not only a fan of Rollergirl.ca, but a friend to Rollergirl.ca, as without Rollergirl's challenge to me, I may not have made it through a few derby after-parties, and a few stressful events on my initial 90 days. Thank you Rollergirl!

Labels: DerbyLuv Christmas Shopping List, roller derby clothing and accessories, roller skates

(artwork by Bill Charbonneau of Smallmarketsports.com)

Labels: Derby Luv, roller skates

I've noticed that there have been many inquries on the roller_girls forum about breaking in skates. I thought it would be fun to give a play-by-play of the breaking in of my skates journey over the next few weeks.

New skates:
Boot: Riedell 595
Size: 5.5 wide toe/narrow heel
Plate sure grip probe (nylon)
Plate size: 4

Old Skates;
Boot: Riedell 125
Size: 6
Plate: Powerdyne nylon plate
Plate size: 5

I wanted to upgrade to a new skate that I would be happy with forever, and not want to upgrade from ever again. After months of drilling Sarah from Fastgirlskates.com and Lisa from Rollergirl.ca, I decided to go with the 595's instead of the 265's. As a smaller jammer (and blocker), I wanted a light skate that would help me gain speed and agility. I tried on a pair of 265's with an aluminum plate, and they felt too roomie (of course they could have been too big of size), and heavy for me. Also, they seemed very wide. I was thinking about switching to an aluminum plate, but the plates available in my price range were too heavy. Therefore, leading me to the Probe nylon plate, which was recommended as an upgrade in nylon plates. I also went down a half size in my skate, because I wanted my skates to be as tight as possible without being way too small. This led me to a smaller plate as well.

***I also have some teammates who love the 265's, so don't forget that it is different for everybody!

So I recieved my skates a few days ago, and got them ready to go! I added a set of wheels (blue fugies and red flat outs, shoe laces, and tried em on. Within seconds I thought I was doomed, and was convinced that I bought a pair half a size too small. I felt as if my big toes were being smushed into the side of the skate. Once I tied my skates my toe felt a bit better, and the skates sure felt tight. After a while of rolling around my apartment, my feet began to feel numb. Again, the feeling of making a huge mistake overcame my thoughts once again.

I did some research on the net, and realized that many who got the 595's had the same problem. Apparently, they are a real bitch to break in. There were a few suggestions however, of how to speed up the breaking in process.

Some suggestions:

-skip the first one or two lace holes at the toe of your skate when lacin' em up.
-massage the leather while your doing something like watching tv
-use baseball mitt or mink oil to soften up the leather
-take the insoles out at first
-take your skates to a cobbler

I skipped the first two sets of lace holes, massaged the leather for a while, and took out my insoles. Before practice I bandaged up my ankles and was ready to go. When I started skating, the size of the boot was not a problem. It felt perfect! One thing I did notice though was the counter, which is the part of the boot that protects your ankles. I found that it was a bit higher, and much more stiff. I also found a difference in the plate size. I have yet to figure out the science and the art of tightening trucks, which led to some awkward adjustments in my skating. So basically, stiffness was my main issue tonight, and hopefully it will improve every time I get back on those skates.

No blisters yet, and I hope to keep it that way! More breaking it updates coming soon.

Georgia W Tush

Labels: roller skates, roller skating

I just spent a weekend with Wile E. Peyote from Rat City Rollergirls, and FastgirlSkates.com . That gal can sure eat! But more importantly, she knows a lot about skates, and I drilled her with questions all weekend long. There is so much to know about skates, and I feel like I only got to the tip of the iceberg.

Some things to keep in mind when purchasing new gear:
-just because everyone else is going with a certain boot, wheel, or plate, doesn't mean it's going to work for you!
-you can find different widths in skates. narrow, wide, and narrow heal with wide toe.
-jammers are beginning to try out wheels that are not as wide for more maneuverability
-if you're a bigger skater, aluminum hubs are beneficial, because they don't flex as much as nylon hubs..thus, making you work harder. and who the heck wants to do extra work?
-aluminum plates are a bit heavier, and the cheaper ones may be too heavy for some skaters. i.e. ME
-when starting out, try not getting all the fancy schmancy gear at first. ok, so maybe some hard work is alright sometimes. once you get used to some cheaper wheels, medi-ocre bearings, beginner skates, then i think you will appreciate the upgrade as a more experienced skate. for example, the extra roll-out time on bearings, or pusher wheels!
-ask questions! get different opinions, talk to other skaters, and try out different gear for yourself! i am still on my quest for my perfect skate.

good luck to you! and remember, i'm not a skate saleslady, so find out for yourself about this information. someone else could tell you something completely different.

love,
georgia w tushy

Labels: roller skates, wheels