A few times each year High Altitude Roller Derby holds what they call “Fresh Meat Boot camps” to add more members to their team. They recently just had a boot camp at Bushmaster Park on March 4.
Women gather at Bushmaster park for the fresh meat boot camp March 4.
“High Altitude Roller Derby, or HARD, is really the only roller derby representation in Flagstaff,” said 20 year old Jessica Esparza, one of the “fresh meat mistresses” who is in charge of coaching the women who come to their boot camp. “We take pleasure in working with the community to support and sustain the idea of strong females. We work to promote athleticism among all of our skaters and honestly a lot of it too is just a really positive mental attitude of body positivity and empowerment.”
The boot camp is a two day event where women can attend and learn all the basic “skate-skills” they need to be able to participate in roller derby explained Esparza. The first thing they do before putting their skates on is warm up by doing some stretches. Once they are ready to go, it’s time to skate up.
Left: Volunteers do some stretching to warm up before they put their skates on. Right: Painters tape with the skaters’ name on it is put on their helmets.
Most of the women at the boot camp were already on the team but there were a couple volunteers that were brand new to the sport. Putting on the skates wasn’t too difficult but when it came to learn how to stand up, a whole new challenge was presented.
Left: A returning member puts on her skates before the warm up. Right: A returning skater shows off her skates with colorful wheels.
“Standing up was definitely the most difficult thing,” said 30 year old Shelby Klein who had never been on skates before. “I didn’t think balancing would be so hard but I like the challenge that comes with it.”
A returning skater helps Klein with her first steps on the skates.
Most of the returning skaters helped out the new volunteers like Klein all throughout the boot camp. Eventually they were able to stand on their feet by themselves.
Left: A returning skater and her son learn with the rest of the group. Right: One of the “fresh meat mistresses” watches the volunteers as they practice falling.
One of the most important things taught at boot camp is how to fall correctly. The fresh meat mistresses demonstrated to everyone the proper ways and then had all the skaters give it a try for themselves.
Volunteers practice drills on how to properly fall.
In the boot camps that HARD holds, they aren’t necessarily looking for women who are natural skaters and already know how to do everything. They’re more looking for women who have the drive and spirit to do well.
“If you’re willing, you’re gonna get there. You might have to go through a couple rounds of fresh meat but it will happen,” said 33 year old preschool teacher Arin Wheeler. “It’s all about spirit and determination. If you want to be here we will make sure you will be here.”
A returning skater wears her HARD sweatshirt to the boot camp.
After the two day boot camp there is a two hour tryout session and then the ladies will find out if they made the team. After that they will practice twice a week throughout the season until the next boot camp comes around.