Comments on: An Essay on Aging in Roller Derby

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:46:38 +0000

Just found this. It’s 2025. I just started Tots training last week and I turn 48 next week. Thank you for this article :)

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 23:41:13 +0000

Hello all!! I looked this up to see if I was the oldest woman during derby. What I got was a lot of beautiful life stories. I really loved each comment . I started when I was 40 I’m 55 still going strong but I wonder when I will stop. I heard what you all says and I connect with most of them. It’s a Love like no other , my dear ,rough, hard, emotional, empowering , healing, hurting,evolving sport. I have made life long friendships. Through ups and downs , I am strong, With love ,Koo Velvet #24/7

By: Tater

Tater — Fri, 04 May 2018 18:42:47 +0000

My kids are older and now I have an opportunity to finally challenge myself. I’ve skated all my life and have always wanted to try roller derby since I was a kid. Now just turned 49, I had made the decision a few months ago to join a roller derby league. I’m not as spry compare to my younger years, and I have a bit of weight. But my body is relatively healthy. At first the roller derby classes tired my body out especially the warm ups we did at the beginning of class. I was very unfit. After the first day of training, I thought I was crazy, because what followed after
was a month long of healing from tremendous muscles aches and pains. I began to think maybe my age was a factor and that I should quit. But im no quiter! Im still persevering thru the fresh meat classes. I began to realize these aches were due to my years of inactivity and not using muscles I haven’t used in years! Also, I discovered that, yes, age does play a role as far as recovery time from intense work outs my body isn’t used to. However, as I continue thru my roller derby journey I noticed the muscle aches and pains are diminishing. My endurance and body health has increased. Roller derby has been a positive influence in my life. Not only am I having fun while becoming physically fit again, it’s helping me think quicker while on my skates, helping me to harden my core and bettering my balance & focus. Im getting better at what I’m learning. The plus side of it all is that I made new friends. I get so much support from all the derby girls. I believe roller derby is a sport that doesn’t judge you for your age. There is no ageism here. If you are determined to work hard and your body is able, you will make it on a team. If not, but you enjoy derby so much there’s always practices and just being involved with the sport if you want to make a difference. The league I’m with does charities and benefits that helps my community. This is definitely a positive place for me where I feel accepted. Just my thoughts I wanted to share!

By: Janice

Janice — Fri, 04 May 2018 17:41:46 +0000

What an excellent read! I started at 49 and just retired 6 weeks ago at 53 (I’ll be 54 next week). It seemed to me that since menopause my reflexes and quickness were diminished! And then I got injured in October! My recovery was slow and when Iwent back, I knew my time was up. I wasn’t finished mentally, but I didn’t want to hurt myself really bad and regret it. Roller Derby was in my life at the perfect time and for the perfect amount of time. I am forever grateful for the journey and heck! I’m still on one!! Thanks to programs that Booty Quake puts on, I’m still staying fit and very active!! Bravo!

By: Apex Quim

Apex Quim — Thu, 03 May 2018 19:24:41 +0000

I started fresh meat at 39, after a 28 year break from skating! I used to go to roller discos and did a bit of artistic skating when i was 10, 11years old and you never really lose that, even if yoyr body doesn’t do what it used to.

The league where i did my mins are a good quality team but it was too competitive for me, i knew i couldn’t devote enough time to it to make the cut on the roster.

As a working mum of 3, there just isn’t enough hours in the day to fit in the cross training and extra skating i would need to do to reach that level, amongst a league full of younger, fitter, stronger women.

So i transferred to another league, closer to home, smaller, and less competitive. I’m now on the senior management of this league and have been a regular on the roster since joining.

At 43, i used to be proud to be the oldest member of the league, but we now have a couple of skaters older than me!
I joke regularly about retiring, but to be honest i am going to keep going as long as i can. #agelessonskates

By: Jami Claire

Jami Claire — Thu, 03 May 2018 18:06:20 +0000

I took up Derby 2 months shy of 61 after being off skates for 35 years. Slow going? Yup! But I’ll get there! Will I ever skate on a team? Probably not but that’s not my goal. I’m working to get fit, have fun, and become a ref. In the mean time, I contribute by learning all the NSO jobs as quick as I can, volunteering as much as I can and offering “well aged wisdom” when asked. I have a “few” life experiences after all!

Derby is life! Along with lots of other things!

By: Cyber Spice

Cyber Spice — Thu, 03 May 2018 14:55:55 +0000

In reply to Booty Quake.

So two years on it has been highs and lows. I moved leagues. I passed my mins. I got rostered. I’ve played a year and a half on the team. There’s a game on Saturday and I am not rostered. I missed the cut. I am doing weight training and have a personal trainer in order to be the best *I* can be. But its getting harder. Not being rostered hurt. But I’ve never been sporty until now. I don’t see myself retiring just yet…

By: Jennifer Tabor

Jennifer Tabor — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:59:21 +0000

I’m turning 52 this year on June and are in a Fresh Meat program now. I am the oldest on the team and proud of it!! my daughter and I are on the same team and that makes it more special. I hope to be able to bout till I’m 60….but if that isn’t in the cards I’m ok with it….I just proved that age is just a number.

By: Booty Quake

Booty Quake — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:12:31 +0000

In reply to Skipper.

Hey Skipper! Your biking trip sounds like a great adventure. Read all the comments in this thread – tons of people starting in their late 40s and 50s, so you’re not alone! If you’re already biking and lifting, you’re probably well-prepared for derby, even if getting on rollerskates again after a long time off will probably feel pretty tiring at first. I say give it a whirl!

By: Skipper

Skipper — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:40:58 +0000

I am 59, and am thinking about taking a Derby 101 class. There is one starting soon, but I will be biking in Vietnam, so am looking at the summer schedule. I skated as a kid (we all did) and aside from bike touring, I have never been “athletic”. I am really looking to learn how to fall down safely, improve my balance and stay in shape. Am I crazy?
I have roller blades that I haven’t used in 10 years and I lift weights a couple times a week in addition to biking. Any and all comments welcome. thanks!

By: Sunset Claws

Sunset Claws — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 06:32:23 +0000

I love this article. I’m only 34, but have seen the 19 year olds start at the same time as me and overtake me with their fearlessness. This puts my minor struggles right into perspective!
Amazing work by the later starters, you’ve given me a boost – I’m out for 9 months or so with an ACL tear and was worried about making it to a bout eventually.

By: cas

cas — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 15:48:00 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. At 47, and not sporty, I jumped into this, and by my fourth practice, questioned the wisdom of treating my body like this. But I love it! Your words – Train Smarter, had a huge impact, and will enable me to rethink How I train, and move forward!