No experience necessary
Keweenaw Roller Derby holds meet-and-greet Sunday
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CALUMET -- Someone watching Keweenaw Roller Derby skaters fly around the track might worry the learning curve for new players would be too steep.
But the team's ready to help people learn.
"Most people start with zero experience," said Joelle Adams, who plays under the name Jeffrey Dahminator. "We'll teach everybody."
KRD is having a meet-and-greet session from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Calumet Colosseum. It's a no-pressure situation where people can meet the team and even try on skates.
"People can come find out what sizes they wear, meet the teams, meet the volunteers and friends and see if they like the vibe," said Adams, who also serves as derby operations chairperson.
They can also learn more about KRD's program for new skaters. The six-week program teaches people how to skate and the rules of roller derby. Adams went through the program herself when she joined in 2018.
"Even if they don't stay as a skater, we hope we can rope them in as a referee or volunteer," she said. "Usually people fall in love with roller skates and we can keep them around."
After shutting down play during the pandemic, the KRD held the Solar System Smackdown Mixer last fall. This will be the KRD's first full season since 2019.
"It's awesome," Adams said. "Everybody's loving it, everybody's excited. We had a really great crowd at the Colosseum when we played in May, so we're hoping to have as good a turnout when we play in June."
On June 17, they'll play a home game at the Colosseum against Fox Cities Roller Derby from Appleton, Wisconsin. Doors open at 5 p.m., and first whistle is at 6 p.m.
Adams encouraged people to come Sunday and see if the group is a good fit.
"I would say that our team really prides itself on being one of the most inclusive groups in the Keweenaw area," Adams said. "We just want everybody to come try it out and feel the love."
For more information, people can email the KRD at info@keweenawrollerderby.com.