(Photo credit: Tournament City Derby Diversified).

By Stephanie Swensrude

ROLLER RINK

Roller rink, roller derby scrimmages coming to Kamloops

Apr 17, 2022 | 3:02 PM

KAMLOOPS — If you’ve ever wanted to try roller skating or roller derby, Tournament City Derby Diversified (TCDD) is hosting drop in roller rink sessions at the MacArthur Island curling rink.

The league is hosting drop-in freestyle skates on April 30, May 14 and 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Karen Ungar, who goes by “Boob” in the derby world, said TCDD hosted their first drop in session Saturday (April 16). Around 30 skaters came by to enjoy music, meet with friends and try a new sport.

“We just blasted some music and let people go roller rink style — it was great,” said Ungar.

After the skate, spectators can stick around to watch a roller derby scrimmage.

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“We have skaters from other leagues coming in and we’re just hosting fun scrimmages,” said Ungar.

“If people want to see what roller derby looks like we’ll have some seats set up and people can come watch,” she said.

Those interested in learning more about roller derby can sign up for Fresh Meat, the TCDD’s new player program. There is an adult team for those aged 18 and up, and a youth team for people 12 to 17.

Fresh Meat practices are every Monday, and alternating Thursdays and Fridays.

Ungar encourages those who are nervous to come out and try.

“It’s a really nice progression into being able to play. We teach people who’ve never even skated before, who can’t even stand up on skates,” she said. “It’s a nice progression from, like, skating, falling, hitting, to the strategy of derby.”

“It probably takes about three months of practice before people can actually jump into a game,” she said.

Ungar said social media has contributed to the rising popularity of rollerskating.

“Over TikTok and stuff there are so many people that are doing rollerskating now,” she said. “Before we always had to order gear online, but now, they sell rollerskates at Zumies!”

The full schedule of all events can be found on TCDD’s Facebook page.