Raw Meat Roller Skating: Zebra Love

Happy Valentine’s Day, Raw Meaties!

In the spirit of the day, I’d just like to thank the Zombie family for their time, energy and excellent coaching. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. And your restraint: I’m proud to say that no brains have been eaten at any Raw Meat so far this year.

I’d also like to thank our fantastic reflings, who have stepped up to explain the rules of roller derby, and keep our play scrimmages exciting. Reffweiler and Yogi Bearings, in particular, worked hard to lend authority to our last play scrimmage.

Without the hard work and dedication of the refs—who are all volunteers—roller derby couldn’t continue. Raw Meat is extremely proud of all of our Meaties who are also TCRG Authority Figures. You guys rock. This Valentine’s, show a ref some love. Respectfully. Of course.

A Note on Raw Meat’s Play Scrimmages and Safety

For the last couple of weeks at Raw Meat, we have done some scrimmaging drills, in which we line up, just like at a bout, and pretend to play through a jam—minus hitting. These drills are extremely fun, but here are a few notes on safety:

1. No hitting. Ever.
Raw Meat has a no-contact policy. This doesn’t mean we don’t get up close and personal. We skate very close to each other, and practice partner moves, including hip whips. But, we do not practice, or allow, any hitting. No shoulder checks, hip checks, or deliberate roughhousing of any kind are allowed. Anyone who breaks this rule will be immediately ejected from Raw Meat. No exceptions.

2. Wear a mouth guard for play scrimmages.
Many people don’t wear a mouth guard all the time at Raw Meat, but we must require a mouth guard for play scrimmaging. Please note: regardless of the drill we are doing, there is always a risk of injury when roller skating. Any time you don’t have a mouth guard in, you do so at your own risk.

Join us on Feb. 12 for the next Raw Meat Roller Skate

Raw Meat sessions are $7. Full safety gear (helmet, wrist, elbow and knee pads, mouth guard) is required*. Sessions run every Saturday from 5PM to 7PM at Thunderbird Community Centre, 2311 Cassiar St., near Rupert Skytrain Station in East Vancouver.

Black toe stoppers are not allowed at Raw Meat. You must have white or light stoppers in order skate. This is at the request of Thunderbird, to protect the floor. Please also tape your knee pads with no-marking white tape.

Please bring a black and a white shirt so we can easily divide into teams.

Raw Meat sessions are open to all levels of skaters, from beginner to expert. If you are just getting started skating, we will show you the basics, and help you do the drills at your own pace. If you are an expert, come hang with us and have some fun!

*Just a reminder: Do give your pads a wash from time to time. You know it’s time when they can talk, walk, and/or launch their own line of artisanal cheeses.

(Photo Credit: Zebra photo courtesy of doc_ via stock.xchg.)

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