Roller skating in Splott: Tearing it up with the Tiger Bay Brawlers

Following a reader request, Inksplott is compiling an article on all of the fitness classes on offer in Splott & surrounding area and the information is pouring in thick and fast. The article will take a while longer to finish, but to keep the whistle whet, here’s a bit more information on a local team tearing it up on eight wheels. Next up in the Splotlight Series on ‘Fitness and Fun in Splott’ is local roller derby team, Tiger Bay Brawlers.

Tiger Bay Brawlers roller derby team is proud to be Cardiff’s only women’s flat track roller derby team. Their mission statement is:

“Tiger Bay Brawlers are a competitive roller derby team dedicated to providing women aged 18+ the opportunity to play flat track roller derby in a safe and enjoyable environment. We strive to promote the growth of both the league and the sport through high-level skater performance and excellence in officiating. We provide athletic entertainment whilst maintaining our focus on competition and physical advancement.”

Founded in 2010, they are the only team in Wales to be a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association and maintain a competitive world ranking position. In January 2011, they hosted the first ever open door competitive game in Wales.

They are the longest running and highest ranked team in Wales and train at Cardiff Central Youth Club. To find out more about CCYC, go to the end of the article.

New skaters are always welcome. You have to be over 18 and have your own kit to take part.

This is the equipment you’ll need:

Quad roller skates (not inlines)
A well-fitting helmet
Elbow pads
Wrist guards
Knee pads
Mouthguard.

Don’t panic if you don’t have any of this stuff yet! They recommend you check out Skate Alley (Cardiff based skate shop) or, if you’d rather buy second hand, join the UK Roller Derby Recyclables page on Facebook.

Sessions run on a ‘drop-in’ basis so you’re not committed to a strict course or programme. You don’t have to attend every session – if life commitments mean you can only make every other week or only once a month, then so be it – but when you do come, you have to attend for the whole session.

The good news is that you’ll have to chance to learn all the necessary skills needed to play roller derby in these sessions! The ‘Learn to skate’ programme acts as a feeder course to their main league. The more you attend, the quicker you’ll progress!
Tiger Bay Brawlers’ learn to skate classes run on a Thursday (6-7.30) and a Sunday (12-1). Sessions are £3 per person and for these sessions there’s no minimum commitment required – you can dip in and out if you want.
They also have a group for ‘Learn to Skate’ classes on Facebook. Feel free to join, ask some questions and get involved!

So there you have it; a roller derby team alive and skating here in our very own Splott. I used to love a spot of roller skating back in the day (that would be the 1980s- I distinctly remember wearing down a stopper or two stupidly skating down too-steep hills in my hometown (and the thrill of first mastering skating backwards!)). Might have to give it a whirl!

You can find out more about Tiger Bay Brawlers here:

Tiger Bay Brawlers Website