September 2026 new skater intake is closed for the 2026 season

Big thanks to everyone who showed interest this year! We are excited to see you. If you have any questions or are interested in joining in the future, sign up for our newsletter.

If you got in on this year’s intake, this information is for you:

You will learn the basic skating skills needed to play roller derby or officiate on skates, including:

  • Skating forwards and backwards

  • Stopping

  • Moving laterally

  • Turning around

  • Gliding

  • Crossovers

  • Jumping

  • Safely giving and receiving contact

  • And more!

Anyone who completes the intake sessions will be invited to join the Winnipeg Roller Derby League as of January! No skills tests or tryouts will be required to join the league and attend practices. (For safety reasons, skaters and skating officials must demonstrate appropriate skating skills before they can participate in games.) 

GEAR AND GEAR RENTAL

To participate in the intake, you will need the following equipment:

  • Helmet (multi-impact: bike helmets are NOT appropriate)

  • Sport roller skates (NOT dance roller skates with a high boot)

  • Knee Pads

  • Wrist Guards

  • Elbow Pads

  • Mouthguard (Note: Mouthguards may be worn at any time but are only required once we begin contact drills, roughly halfway through the intake)

WRDL offers limited rentals of skates, knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads. Rental costs are in addition to registration fees.

Skates: $30/month ($90 for the entire intake)

Knee Pads: $10/month ($30 for the entire intake)

Elbow Pads: $5/month ($15 for the entire intake)

Wrist Guards: $5/month ($15 for the entire intake)

Gear Rental Here

HELMETS

WRDL does not rent helmets, as we are not permitted to do so. Each skater must purchase an acceptable helmet before the start of the intake. Please note that bike helmets are NOT appropriate for roller derby. Roller derby helmets are made with high density foam and rated for multiple impacts.

Examples of acceptable helmets include: 

S1 Lifer Helmet (from Rollergirl): https://www.rollergirl.ca/skateshop/lifer-helmet-black-matte-p-429.html

S1 Lifer Visor Helmet (from Rollergirl): https://www.rollergirl.ca/skateshop/lifer-visor-helmet-p-1460.html

Triple 8 Sweatsaver (from Low Life skate shop): https://www.lowlifemtl.com/collections/helmets/products/the-dual-certified-sweatsaver

MOUTHGUARDS

WRDL also does not rent mouthguards. Each skater must purchase an acceptable mouthguard before we begin contact drills (roughly halfway through the intake). You can buy mouthguards at local sporting goods stores in Winnipeg, or at the online stores listed below.

Examples of acceptable mouthguards include:

Sisu mouthguard (from Rollergirl):

https://www.rollergirl.ca/skateshop/sisu-mouth-guard-p-400.html 

Fox40 mouthguard (from Rollergirl):

https://www.rollergirl.ca/skateshop/mouth-guard-adult-p-2545.html

GEAR GUIDES AND WHERE TO BUY

If you plan to purchase your own skates and other protective gear before the intake session, here are some guides to help you choose the right gear:

See the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA) gear guide here

Gear Guide from Rollergirl.ca

These are some of our favourite Canadian skate shops where you can purchase new gear:

There are tons of other ways to be involved with our league in the meantime! From officiating, volunteering, or just being a fan, we would love for you to get involved. If you have any questions for us about how you can get involved with Winnipeg Roller Derby League, feel free to email us at winnipegrollerderby@gmail.com