DNN's Sponsors Lead Team Argentina Benefit
In the run-up to roller derby's first World Cup competition, we've had the chance to get to know many of the participating teams: their strengths, their shortcomings, and the challenges they're working to overcome before competition begins December 1 in Toronto.
Derby skaters outside North America have all shared a common struggle -- absent a local tradition of roller skating, venues are hard to come by, and gear even more so. Just to get on wheels in the past few years, most of the World Cup's participants have navigated challenges of availability, sizing, shipping costs, and in the most difficult cases, significant import tariffs and duties.
In particular, we've been struck by the difficulties (and in converse, the determination) of Team Argentina. Against the challenge of zero locally available gear, far and away the highest import costs of any participating team, and substantially more limited financial resources, these skaters have dug in, and they're determined to get to Toronto and do their very best, this very year.
This, despite the fact that none have toe stops, few have any protective equipment, and some have skates with fixed trucks (wrap your head around that for a minute). Almost every team member is wearing skates that are one or more sizes too big or small. These skates are so inadequate that they're actually wrecking skaters' feet... in no exaggeration, they're bleeding to play this sport. We were moved to help, and our 2011 Key Sponsors didn't have to think twice when we asked them to help.
In the next few weeks, with our sponsors' help and yours, we aim to send a big fat pile of decent gear to Team Argentina, so they can make the most of their World Cup experience. Atom Wheels has agreed to contribute wheels and bearings; GRNMNSTR is also kicking in wheels, bearings, and toe stops; and Fast Girl Skates will use all those components to outfit all the donated skates we can collect.
This is where you come in.
The Less-Reynolds household leads the charges with four pairs of entry- to mid-grade skates (representing our surrender to the reality that we're really done with skating and have totally moved on to support roles). We're pretty damned sure that some of you have similar skates sitting around that you're not using, haven't used lately, and won't likely use in the future -- maybe you've upgraded recently, maybe you got a pair of skates that weren't quite the right size, or you didn't care for the fit. If you haven't unloaded them, now's your opportunity to contribute them to a higher purpose. Protective equipment is also very much needed.
Team Argentina is taking foot measurements right now to determine their precise needs. We'll know shortly just what they need, and we'll follow this article with a specific call for sizes. Please, if you're as dedicated to the global growth of derby as we are, and you have a spare pair of skates taking up space, check out their size and stay tuned for our next update, forthcoming shortly.
We thank you, derby thanks you, and most of all, Team Argentina thanks you!
Comments
Congratulations to them! Us,
Congratulations to them! Us, from Team Brazil, are going to Toronto on the same terrible conditions :/
I'm in!
You had me at "fixed trucks".
I will go dust off all my old equipment.
Awesome and Sorely Needed
This is a great idea and one that anyone who can help out with should jump on top of (giggity). Our team worked with ToxicLima from Peru a while back and we'd never realized how much we took the availability of safety equipment for granted until we worked with a team who had nearly no feasible access to decent quality gear.
Argentina? How about Brazil?
The difficulties encountered by Argentina are not exclusive of them. The import policy and the lack of a local brand of gear and equipment is much greater when the case is Brazil, believe me. My intention here is to warn and let everybody know that Team Brazil will also travel to Toronto in these same conditions, even without any help, because we are brazilians and to represent Brazil in the World Cup with the chance to play with all those countries is more important than these difficulties.
Mark the date
OK, it's official, this really is going to be a World Cup.
Wouldn't it be awesome...
...to have World Cup attendees/participants bring extra gear to donate to these skaters?
Great idea!
I hope the Euro leagues can bring some stuff with them. I have a great pair of kneepads to throw in the pile.
Yes!
We are hoping to get performance improving gear to these skaters in the months before the event so they can practice in gear that fits, but it would be amazing if people could bring used gear they no longer need to World Cup to distribute to skaters in need!
Get in touch, please.
Please have someone get in touch with us to talk to us about what your needs are. We don't mean to exclude other teams in need, but Argentina's leadership demonstrated a level of need we had never seen before. If Brazil's skaters feet are bleeding after every practice from lack of skates that fit, as well, we want to know about it. mercyless@derbynewsnetwork.com
Unfortunately its an issue in most Latin American countries
My cousin is on a team in Santiago, Chile and resources there for skating equipment are very limited. I wanted to send a pair of skates down there and was quoted at $250.00. She is currently skating in some figure skates that are a size too big. I hope to travel there in December and bring some gear (which has to be limited unless I want to pay baggage fees) for some of the derby girls down there. Sooner or later safety gear and skate distributors will need to be accesible in those countries where derby is growing.
Maybe an early day for sales?
I assume there will be vendors there -- maybe there could be something set up at a host hotel where the different gear booths could sell stuff a day early to help out these teams?
I knew there was a reason
I knew there was a reason I've been saving all the toe stops and knee pads I've ever replaced! Please keep us all updated on how our used-but-still-usable gear can make it to South America, or if we should just bring it to Toronto.
how about helping south
how about helping south america roller derby instead of only helping one country?
we are all in the same situation.
We are working on it, Beki
Scroll up in the comments, and give us a chance to see what we can do for Team Brazil, as well, please. We are already in contact with the team, working on it.
wtf?
I can believe this... it´s great to sopport the sport and the teams... but i´m aware there is a national industry to develope and allready existing places to find skates and protections, both Argentina and Brasil have years of artistic skate culture, algo roller hockey, and good products on that sports, their both have very good sustitutes for riedells or whatever (to be done), and most of the player use imported riedells, and in the case of the league who select the argentine selection (that is the 2x4 league, not the only league in Argentina), they practice with all the protections, bay triple8/protec/tsg protections as assual... not every one must have the propper equitment, but indeed it is not so extremist the situation... Also, they could have talk with the BARD league or the 2x4 players themself for agrouping the correct equitment easyly... I never hear about this "soho palermitanas" having problems like "fixed trucks", come on! Of course, i can´t not say this is great news for the league anyway. See you all. Great actitude anyway for those how hear this such a "dramatic" story.
ps. i agree, help the developing of the sport in other country in general, not this isolated unfounded idea (i´m ashamed of 2x4 league about their bad organization and public relationship with the other national argentine teams, lol)
totally true
I can believe this... it´s great to sopport the sport and the teams... but i´m aware there is a national industry to develope and allready existing places to find skates and protections, both Argentina and Brasil have years of artistic skate culture, algo roller hockey, and good products on that sports, their both have very good sustitutes for riedells or whatever (to be done), and most of the player use imported riedells, and in the case of the league who select the argentine selection (that is the 2x4 league, not the only league in Argentina), they practice with all the protections, bay triple8/protec/tsg protections as assual... not every one must have the propper equitment, but indeed it is not so extremist the situation... Also, they could have talk with the BARD league or the 2x4 players themself for agrouping the correct equitment easyly... I never hear about this "soho palermitanas" having problems like "fixed trucks", come on! Of course, i can´t not say this is great news for the league anyway. See you all. Great actitude anyway for those how hear this such a "dramatic" story.
ps. i agree, help the developing of the sport in other country in general, not this isolated unfounded idea (i´m ashamed of 2x4 league about their bad organization and public relationship with the other national argentine teams, lol)
That's what I'm talking about!!! (claps!)
We Wanna Help!
Hey DNN
De-Nominator here from VIVA LA DERBY in Australia…
I have a major soft spot for team Argentina so I have started a collection of skates , wheels and tools that derby girls and business have donated and I would love to send ova to Team Argentina…
Who would be the best person for me to talk to??
Email me at podcast@vivaladerby.com
What about Canarium?
... and other skate and gear manufacturers in South America? We were impressed with the quality of gear Canarium was making in Colombia and it has to be cheaper than getting N. American gear down there. We've been shipping to a few countries in S. America, and there are other risks involved, too - namely that USPS won't allow us to insure gear sent to many S. American countries. Imagine what a bummer that would be if (or when) your package got lost! I agree with Maria (hi, honey!!) - there are resources in South America and a huge skating culture there. I know everyone means well but I think what skaters need is more guidance about what types of gear are appropriate and safe for derby.
That said, if I'm wrong (and it wouldn't be the first time), we will fill our suitcases with gear if you girls will loan us some clothes when we get there next time!
OH! And a Spanish translation of the rules!
xxxx ivanna & dish
i am from the only leage on
i am from the only leage on peru, Toxic Lima Roller Derby. Until a couple of months there was no store that would sell roller skates, we ahve skated with skates from or mothers or grandmothers, even with a couple that had steel wheels.
there is no good gear, there is definetly no place to skate, we skate and train on a parking lot that ruins our wheels.
girls have skates that are too big too, or too small, with even nails in them, i am not kidding here. a couple of us has good gear because we have family in the US that could send us our gear.
we have the same amount of time being a league, we got help from NJ's Psycho's 78, from Goregams from New Zeland, from Sasy Sully from the US that now is our couch sometimes, we are so greatfull for this.
we love this sport with al our hearts, we would have loved to go to the world cup, but we can't. the lack of everything makes it 100 times more difficult to play the sport in our country.
it would be an amazing idea if roller derby girls from all over the world could help their sisters in need, not only the ones that can actually go to the world cup, but also the ones that can't. we are still your sisters, and we admire you all like you have no idea.
there will be 30 peruvian girls sitting infront of a computer watching the world cup, wishing someday we can actually be there playing, alongside this amazing women that have inspired us so much. :)
good for argentina and brazil for going to the world cup! we will be watching you girls!
arriba peru
You ladies are some of the coolest and nicest skaters - hopefully more teams will be able to chip in and help you guys out. Anyone in any leagues out there looking to give a hand, the ladies from Toxic Lima are some of the most hard working derby skaters out there. Keep rollin' guys!
Spooky
Psycho 78s Renegade Roller Derby
thank you!
thank you spooky!! you guys helped us SO MUCH! and we are so grateful for it!! :DD
we are working a lot to keep things going and getting better every week :D
we welcome any kind of help, 2nd hand gear, skates, wheels, anything is welcome with open arms and we will be grateful forever.
thank you so much!
The next step
So.... what is happening with this benefit? Is anything going to be sent to Argentina? Or should we just bring extra gear to The Cup?