WANT TO PLAY ROLLER DERBY?
St. Chux Derby Crew is open to players of all identities, abilities, and (almost) all ages. Our team has worked to create a safe space for folks to learn and grow without fear of judgement or pressure to perform.
LEARNING THE BASICS
New to skating? Join us for our new skater boot camps! Skaters will spend 4 sessions on the track to learn the basic skills needed to start their derby journey successfully. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to learn when our next boot camp is happening!
ABOUT THE TEAM
SCDC is open to all gender identities and orientations. Skaters must be 18 years of age and older. There is no upper age limit—we have skaters just out of high school as well as in their forties. We welcome skaters of all skill levels to join, but require new skaters to have a solid handle on the basics of skating before they're eligible to scrimmage. If you're new to skating, join us for one of our boot camps where you'll be introduced to the basics required to start playing! If you're an experienced skater, reach out to us and drop in to see what our practices are like!
This ain't your grandma’s roller derby! Modern roller derby differs in many ways from the derby that used to air on television. Some of the biggest differences are the track (we play on a flat track not a banked track), the fights (elbows, punches, and tripping are illegal), and the choreography (today’s derby is REAL... Nothing is staged!) Visit this website to see a nifty video that teaches you the basics.
As of April 2024, St. Chux Derby Crew practices at Great Skate in St. Peters once a week on Monday evenings. As we get more players, we will eventually be able to expand our practices to two times a week. We also will occasionally hold trail skates, outdoor practices, and meetups for extra skate time.
Yes. We may play rough, but our events are fun for the whole family. We project a positive, strong, athletic image because that’s the kind of people we are! The sport of roller derby is inclusive, intersectional, and teaches people of all ages that athletes come in all shapes and ages.
REQUIRED GEAR
Skaters are required to wear elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads, a hemet, and a mouth guard. Skates must be quad-style and capable of switching wheels and toe stops. Due to the need for ample agility, it's recommended that skaters avoid high ankle skates like Moxis and opt for lower cut "derby style" skates. If you're new to the sport and don't want to invest in all the gear, SCDC has protective gear to freely borrow during practice, but you'll have to bring your own mouth guard. Skates are available to rent for an extra fee.
Beyond protecting your teeth during impact, mouth guards play an essential role in preventing and minimizing concussions. While on the track, skaters must be wearing their mouth guards at all times. Most skaters use custom moldable SISU brand mouth guards, as they offer more protection and comfort than cheaper bulkier brands.
With so many brands and setups out there, choosing your skates can be intimidating. SCDC recommends investing in a beginner skate package such as Riedell R3s or Riedell Darts. It's also worth checking out groups on Facebook for used roller derby gear for great deals on used skates before jumping into buying a $300 pair of brand new skates.
Derby is best played with low cut skates. While high-ankle skates like Moxis may work for boot camp, low ankle skates offer more dexterity that's required for quick movements during gameplay. Look for a set of skates that have adjustable toe stops and replaceable wheels.
Skates must be quad style (no rollerblades, sorry!) and have toe stops.
There are hundreds of types of wheels available for your skates. Most players are happy to let others test out their wheels to see what type works best for your skating style. Beyond the wheels that come with your skates, we also recommend getting a pair of outdoor wheels so you can join us on trail skates and outdoor practices. (Sometimes we'll even skate to an ice cream shop!)
Players are encouraged to purchase their own gear (used or new), as we have a limited amount of protective gear available to borrow. Because falling is a part of the sport, it's recommended that skaters invest in extra-thick knee pads to ensure ample safety and comfort. Some popular brand of protective gear we love are Triple 8, S1,Scabs,187s, and Smiths.