Basic Training
Our Spring 2025 sessions will begin April 7th! Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when registration opens.
New to our roller derby skating classes? Scroll down this page for our FAQs.
Spring 2025 Adults Session (April/May)
Monday, April 7th | 7pm - 9pm |
Monday, April 21st | 7pm - 9pm |
Monday, April 28th | 7pm - 9pm |
Monday, May 5th | 7pm - 9pm |
Monday, May 12th | 7pm - 9pm |
Monday, May 19th | 7pm - 9pm |
NEW / LEVEL 1 | Skating skills and non contact roller derby. Open to all genders. | $270 | |
LEVEL 2 | Positional and light contact roller derby. Open to all genders. | $240 | |
LEVEL 3 | Full contact roller derby, land drills, strategy. Open to cis women, trans women, and non-binary participants. | $240 |
Sessions may be canceled and participants' money refunded if there is not enough interest.
Basic Training FAQ’s
What is Basic Training?
Gotham's Basic Training is dedicated to training and developing roller derby skaters at all skill levels. Our mission is to provide a fun, safe and competitive environment for all who participate.
What gear do I need?
All participants are required to wear the following protective gear and cannot be on the track with any missing items:
Helmet
Wrist guards
Elbow pads
Kneepads
Mouth guard
4-wheel (quad) roller skates
Athletic sneakers
Bring a big water bottle and come dressed in athletic clothing.
Do I have to purchase insurance?
Yes. Participants must purchase WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) insurance, a high deductible supplemental insurance policy that is specifically for roller derby skaters, before the first day of class. The cost is $80. We recommend that you purchase insurance after registering for classes because our classes frequently sell out.
Both Gotham and the WFTDA strongly recommend that skaters carry their own primary health insurance in addition to WFTDA insurance.
For more information, read the WFTDA insurance FAQs.
Any other questions? Contact basictraining@ggrd.nyc.
Who can join?
Gotham Basic Training is the place for anyone interested in learning the sport of roller derby, trying out for a derby league, interested in being a referee or just working on your skating and roller derby skills for overall fitness and fun. All skill levels are welcome!
How is it structured?
Basic Training practices are held once per week at Lakeside Rink in Prospect Park. All Basic Training sessions are 6 weeks long and taught by experienced Gotham coaches and skaters. Coaches use informal group evaluations to determine placement for the next session. Skaters often retake sessions multiple times based on skill, comfort level, and needs of the overall group.