What Does It Take To Be A Derby Dame?
PPDD seeks and accepts women 18 and older* who have a desire to become strong, athletic, and competitive skaters.To be a Pikes Peak Derby Dame you must be motivated and productive, with a desire to succeed. Practices and participation in committee work and other league events are mandatory. A willingness and ability to commit is crucial to membership with the league. Roller derby is not a hobby, it's a way of life.
How to Join PPDD
PPDD holds open recruit nights at least once a year (schedule at right). All women 18+ interested in joining are invited to recruit night to learn more about roller derby, our league, and the requirements of being a Derby Dame.
At recruit night you will go over league requirements such as practice time, committee work, event attendance, and general league information. All interested skaters will sign up to attend a boot camp which will be scheduled approximately two weeks later (schedule at right), and sign insurance liability release waivers. No skates or gear are required at recruit night, but there will be a "free" skate with PPDD members at the end if you'd like to bring your own skates.
Boot Camp
At boot camp, potential skaters will be assessed to determine their skill level, and may be interviewed by league members to determine personality, attitude, availability, and work ethic to make sure they are a good fit for PPDD.
After the boot camp, select skaters will be invited to join PPDD on a 2 week trial period. Following the 2 week trial period, we will select which skaters will be invited to join PPDD permanently.
What to expect at boot camp:
- You must have skates and gear to attend (you will receive information on where to buy skates and gear at recruit night)
- You will learn basic skating skills
- Your skills and personality/attitude will be assessed
Download the WFTDA Minimum Skill Requirements (PDF)
Fresh Meat
Upon acceptance into the league, new members (aka Fresh Meat) will be required to pay a one-time joining fee, first month's dues, and one year of required WFTDA insurance, and will be subject to attendance and monthly dues requirement.
PPDD members are required to attend two practices a week, on Monday and Wednesday nights. Other optional practices are scheduled when available.
Skaters are required to wear full gear at practice: knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet, and mouth guard (check out WFTDA.com for tips on choosing the right gear). Rental skates and used pads are available to new recruits who don't yet have their own (you will have to get your own mouth guard and will not be allowed to skate without one).
Skaters will be allowed to scrimmage at practice after passing the WFTDA minimum skill requirement test. See WFTDA.com/rules Appendix A for the minimum skills requirements.
Skaters must pass the WFTDA rules test and the WFTDA minimum skills test before being allowed to bout publicly.
All PPDD members are placed on a home team (Danger Dolls or Candy Snipers) after 90 days from their join date, regardless of skill level or ability to bout publicly. Certain transfer skaters or returning members may be allowed to join a team after 30 days.
After team placement and passing all tests, skaters will be allowed to skate in public bouts at the discretion of their team captains and PPDD coaches.
Preparing for Recruit Night/Boot Camp
Interested women are highly encouraged to brush up on their skating skills before attending recruit night/boot camp, as you will be required to pass a basic skating skills test in order to join the league. Skate City holds public skate sessions several times a week (visit their website for a schedule).
PPDD is always happy to assist with info, suggestions, and advice. Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.
Note: Women under 21 will not be able to attend functions/events at 21+ venues.
Pikes Peak Derby Dames is a proud member of the