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Okanagan roller derby team gearing up for a year of recruitment and training.

Recruitment opens May 9 for skaters of all experience levels

In a Star Wars-themed May 4 scrimmage, the Penticton Pistoleras hosted roller derby skaters from the Central and North Okanagan in a battle of the Dark Side versus Light Side of the Force. The Light Side took home the win, with 225 points to the Dark Side’s 103.

Read More: May the 4th be rolling with you

The scrimmage took the place of the usual first bout of the season due to the number of skaters and their experience levels on the Pistoleras’ team.

“This year we are in a rebuild season, we had a lot of retirees from our last season, “said Kim Wall, or Drag of the Pistoleras, as she’s known on the track. “We had about four skaters who were on the track for their first time tonight. Because we’re working with a lot of new recruits, it doesn’t allow us to host our regular bouts, so this year we’re hoping to host more scrimmages and get more track time that way. “

Between the retiring players and the new, inexperienced skaters, the Pistoleras currently lack the numbers required to host their own bouts. In order to be considered a certified skater for a full bout, each team member requires at least three scrimmages worth of experience.

The Pistoleras are opening their recruitment on May 9, and hope to bring in at least six new members by next year in order to begin hosting full bouts again. Six new members would bring the team close to the full roster of 15.

“There’s no experience required, we’ll train you from the Bambi stage, all the way to the amazing skaters that you see on the track for several years,” said Wall. “The only thing a new recruit needs to bring is some comfy clothing and a fitted mouthguard, and we’ll supply the skates and the protective gear to get you started.”

There are also positions available for skating officials as well, if a skater isn’t interested in the more full-contact derby. Whether full-contact or not, all skaters are invited out to skate with the Pistoleras when they practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you are interested in joining the Pistoleras, or just want to give the roller derby a try, they. You can also contact the Pistoleras through their Facebook page, or by email at southokanaganrollerderby@gmail.com.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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