Derby United

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Recreational Instructors

Derby United is proud to offer recreational instruction on our 9k sq ft outdoor lighted smooth concrete skating surface. We have assembled a team of instructors from a diverse range of skate experiences to bring San Diego roller skaters a wide range of training from dance, rink and figure backgrounds.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah Sade Derby United Yoga

Aaliyah Sade is a recent graduate of UCLA in the arts activism and global health programs. She integrates yoga and skating to encourage mind body connection and radical joy utilizing these tools to invite people back into their natural embodied state of pleasure and freedom. She began her yoga journey 9 years ago as a student at San Diego School of Creative Performing Arts in the dance major program, since then she has completed over 500 hours of training in yoga, breath work and meditation, teaching internationally and at the UCLA gym. She comes from a lineage of roller skaters on both sides, with her father and maternal grandmother being avid skaters from the groovy 70s, she honors her ancestors through her practice of rhythm and street skating. She hopes to guide participants of Roll and Flow into a joy centered practice of skating and yoga practice.

Carolee

Carolee KnessCarolee Kness discovered roller skating at her 12th birthday party at her hometown Roller Rink in Imperial Beach called Rocker Roller Rink. She loved races and all types of roller skating such as pairs, fours, freestyle and dance. She skated competitively for 3-4 years and was a two time Regional then National Champion with RSROA. Later in life, as an adult and new parent she returned to roller skating with her daughter to the roller rink once located in National City. She skated several years with her daughter and her son who started skating roller hockey. Skating has been a big part of her family’s life for several years.

Before Covid-19, Carolee was an active “Gold” level competitive figure skater in Ice Skating and a professional Ice Skating Coach. She has won several gold medals locally and internationally (In Oberstdorf Germany and Canada) in ice competitions in freestyle and artistic events. Due to Covid-19 all future events were cancelled so she ventured out and found happiness in skating outdoors on quads and inlines with new acquaintances. Skating during this pandemic has brought so much joy to her life because the skaters in the San Diego Community are all so welcoming and happy. Skating outdoors with friends is therapeutic and so much fun, it is joyful and a great escape from our everyday pressures. Carolee looks forward to helping skaters build confidence and learn new roller skating skills.

Derrick

Derrick was born in Atlanta, GA.  Now 27 years old, living in Southern California (San Diego) as an Active  Duty Service member (U.S NAVY), he has been skating for 6 years. Derrick is continuously developing his skills while teaching those around him what he knows.

Primarily teaching Jam and Rhythm skating, he focuses on fundamentals that will apply at all levels of skating. Derrick looks forward to working with all levels of skaters and getting to know everyone. His number #1 goal is to help you build confidence while doing what you love!

Photo: Kevin Neff (@kneff_photography)

Donna

Donna has been an avid skater for most of her life. She began skating for a youth speed skating team in San Antonio, Texas. In high school and college, Donna took to the ice to learn the art of figure skating. As a travel enthusiast, Donna has skated around the world in countries such as Italy, Romania and Mexico.

Today, Donna plays roller derby for SDRD and enjoys dance and street skating with her friends. She has performed with the skate team ‘Flashpoint’ at the Mother Goose Parade and enjoys teaching others about this unique and fun sport at Skate Quad SD events. Donna holds a Master’s in Education and is excited to be teaching on the track at Derby United.

Emily

Emily Rupar has been skating for 11 years, starting in 2009 playing roller derby for the Charlotte Roller Girls in North Carolina. She has moved to London and New York City where she honed her outdoor skating skills, skating with the Friday Night Skate group in London through the cobblestone streets and then in Central Park, mostly avoiding tourists on bicycles.

After moving to San Diego, she got more invested in the rink where she evolved her skills including dancing and spinning. Her goal was to learn how to groove to the music not just with her arms and upper body, but with her feet and legs. Emily will be teaching intermediate skating skills for adults – if you are comfortable moving forward on your skates but you want to learn: how to skate backwards with confidence and speed, master turning and spinning, balance and weight shifting to improve your dance skills then this is the class for you. She will teach you the basics of spinning and jumping and some fun “line” dances that you can do at the rink with a group.

Jerry

Jerry Beck Derby United

Jerry Beck is a veteran on roller skates. He started skating at the young age of 10 years old moving from freestyle to dance and competitive backwards skating known as Rexing. After dabbling with artistic skating he headed over to jam skating. Having dabbled in many disciplines of roller skating, Jerry ended up with a style where he feels most comfortable, synchronized freestyle skating.

Learn fun and creative skate moves from Jerry that are guaranteed to take your skating to another level.

 

 

 

Melissa

Melissa spent many of her early years at her local Bay Area roller and ice skating rinks, completely hooked on the feeling of freedom that only skating could provide. Back then, speed and fun were the only goals. Years later, she’s reconnected to skating as an adult, turning her focus to many different styles of roller skating; Rhythm, Artistic, Street – each demanding different skill sets and dedicated practice. 

As a college-level design instructor for 14 years, Melissa combines her passion for teaching and rollerskating by helping others in their pursuit of joy on 8 wheels. Nothing compares to the feeling of unlocking new skills and flowing with others!

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sandiegoderbyunited

Today is DRY! At least until 5p. Derby United has Today is DRY!  At least until 5p. Derby United has a handful of special Sunday makeup classes today to eek in some more skating before the wet weather comes. 

Noon - Intermediate Dance - Adult (on the move rhythm work and group choreo) with @sweetz_monae 
1p - Beginner Skate Skills Vol 2 - Adult (transitions, cross overs & backwards skating) with TBD
2p Lil Rollers (young skates age 4-10) with Carolee
3p Skate FUNdamentals (All Ages skate skills and fun, often parents with their kids) with Carolee
4p Learn/Return to Skate - Adult (our most popular beginner skate class) with Carolee

5p Beginner Dance and 6p Night Session will be rained out today.  We'll be closed tomorrow (Monday) for rain so let's skate today before this next wet system comes through.  Get it while you can!  All classes still have space available.  Masks and reservations required.
Special Sunday FUNDAY! Let’s skate before the n Special Sunday FUNDAY!  Let’s skate before the next storm comes though!

Due to all the rainouts this week, we are doing some special offering this week on Sunday to make up for a few things that got cancelled in the last few days.

As of now, all classes and sessions remain on for Sunday as scheduled.  There chance of rain remains very low until 5p.  We will keep watching the forecast and notify anyone signed up if we see a need for cancellation.

Spaces available in all classes as of now:
Noon - Intermediate Dance w/ Monae
1p - Skate Skills Vol 2 w/ Donna
2p - Lil Rollers w/ Donna
3p - Skate FUNdamentals w/ Carolee
4p - Learn/Return to Skate w/ Carolee

Masks and reservations always required.  Hope to see you tomorrow while we have this little break in the rains!
This disco ball is so sad she can’t go out on Sa This disco ball is so sad she can’t go out on Saturday night.  All programs this Saturday 1/23/2021 🌧RAINED OUT🌧.

Registered skaters have been notified via email and SMS.  Thank you for your understanding. 

#rainraingoaway #icantstandtherain #rainyseason #rainyday #sunshineismyfavorite #derbyunited
Everyone skates around here. Even our main man Ch Everyone skates around here. Even our  main man Chill got a pair. You probably met this amazing guy if you ever needed someone to walk you to your car on our street or lingered in the parking lot a bit too long after session.

Chill just scored these Fames from @sincityskates today with super sick @roller_bones Team wheels.

#securityguard  #suregrip #dudeswhoskate #rollerskater
The SK8 Pop Up SD Experience returns! Saturday Fe The SK8 Pop Up SD Experience returns!  Saturday February 6th 7-10p featuring @djwayned10 and the whole @thesk8popup crew.  You’re gunna wanna to be there.  This will sell out very quickly.

MASKS OVER NOSE AND MOUTH REQUIRED AND WILL BE ENFORCED THROUGHOUT THE SESSION. VIOLATORS OF THIS POLICY WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.

Preregistration required.  Limited capacity. Link in bio to register. 

#thesk8popup #ubettapopup #derbyunited #rollerskaters
Bernie likes to DJ. He likes to strut. He always Bernie likes to DJ.  He likes to strut.  He always knows your skate size. And he can’t pass up a victory high five. 

🤣🤣🤣

#myturn #berniesanders #derbyunited
The sun is out and we are ready to ROLL today! If The sun is out and we are ready to ROLL today!  If you have been wanting to come out, TODAY is your day.  With so much wet weather on the forecast, we need to take advantage of all this warm, dry weather while it lasts.

Today’s schedule:
4p Lil Rollers - Carolee
5p Learn/Return to Skate - Carolee
6p Beginner Rhythm & Vibe - Monae
7p Beginner Dance - Melissa
8p Night Session: Out at the Rink - House music with DJ Danny

Masks and reservations always required.

📷 @mel_and_tim_photography 

#warmweather #dryweather #letsroll #letsskate #rollerskating #rollerskater
“For there is always light, if only we are brave “For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it – if only we are brave enough to be it."

This young woman, Amanda Gorman, brought me to tears today with her words.  If you did not hear her poem “The Hill We Climb” it’s a few minutes of video well worth your time.

And though this has nothing to do with roller skating, roller skating has everything to do with seeing the light and being the light.  May we be brave enough to see it and to be it.

Photo from the AP

#thehillweclimb #amandagorman #blackgirlmagic #listentothis #thisisimportant #poet
Raise it up if you gunna need a good skate today, Raise it up if you gunna need a good skate today, like our friend Chelle who was out here killing it with her strut on a sunny Sunday. 

We can help get through these Tuesday blues.  Open sessions today at 4-6p All Ages Matinee Session and 8-10p Adult Night Session Hip Hop.  Tonight’s Hip Hop session will be featuring special guest DJ @misterhek who is sure to get you through the day. 

📷 @sunny.__.lee 

#sundayfunday #tuesdaymood #raiseitup #rollerskater #derbyunited
Strutting it out with Shannon and friends on this Strutting it out with Shannon and friends on this sunny Sunday. 

📷 @mel_and_tim_photography 

#strut #strutwalk #rollerskatestrut #strutlikestar #sundayfunday #sunday #sandiegowinter
This weekend was magical. Sunshine, strut and ska This weekend was magical.  Sunshine, strut and skate fam.  In these tough times, that is the mark of a GOOD day.

📷 @mel_and_tim_photography 

#magical #magicalmoments #sunshine #sandiego #sandiegowinter #strut #strutwalk #skateworkshop #strutlikestar #derbyunited
On Mondays we get funky with Mr. Hek, spinning Fun On Mondays we get funky with Mr. Hek, spinning Funk Disco Breaks.  There is still space to join us on this beautiful Monday night.  Masks and reservations required.

👯‍♀️: @sharvellanorris @jenmcnugget @isabelle.ringer @oops.rupes 
🎶: @misterhek 

#disco #funk #downtown #rollerskaters #monday #mondaymood
As we remember Dr. King, we remember all the peopl As we remember Dr. King, we remember all the people who hit the streets to hear his message. Who fought to make their voice heard.  Who continue to fight (and roll) for civil rights for all.

We have so much admiration and respect for Ledger Smith, pictured here.  He skated hundreds of miles to March/roll on Washington.

Photo 1: Ledger Smith, a semi-professional skater, is greeted by H. Carl Moultie, vice president of the D. C. branch of the NAACP, as he arrived by roller skates from Chicago to join the March on Washington. Photo by Tom Kelley / The Washington Post via Getty Images

Photo 2: On August 27, 1963, 27-year old Ledger Smith, aka "Roller Man" made his way into Washington D.C.. His trip originated in Chicago on August 17 and ended 10 days and 685 miles later at the Lincoln Memorial to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr speak.

Titled "Rollerman" himself by The Baltimore Afro-American

#rollerman #civilrights #skateforfreedom #freedom #washingtondc #naacp #martinlutherking #martinlutherkingjr #rollerskater #blackskatersmatter #blackskaters
Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and th Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the immense contributions and sacrifices he made to this nation.  The struggle for civil rights continues to this day. Black culture and the American Black experience lives at the heart of roller skating history and culture.

We are here to continue to fight along side our Black skaters and community. We stand with black, brown, indigenous, queer, trans and all people who suffer from racism, inequality, oppression, and injustice.  Civil rights are human rights. 

We will always make space here.  We will always try to do better.  There will be no time where we have arrived.  That the struggle is over.  Equality is something we practice on the daily and if we forget about it, it washes away.

🖤🤎🧡💛🤍

Dr. King’s memory lives on.  Our remembrance makes him eternal. 

As the wise man in this photo says, “Put down hate, let’s skate!”

Richard Avedon - Civil rights demonstration, Atlanta, Georgia, 1963

#civilrights #drmartinlutherkingjr #martinlutherking #skating #putdownhateandletsskate #atl #thefightcontinues #civilrightsarehumanrights #derbyunited
As the sunsets on this beautiful day and the last As the sunsets on this beautiful day and the last strut workshop with Star, we are full of gratitude for our special guest and all the local skaters who came out and made this day so special.  We absolutely loved see you all put your flavor on the strut walk. 

#strutlikestar #strut #strutwalk #rollerskatestrut #rollerskaters #derbyunited
Coming down for a lesson in strut today? Bring $2 Coming down for a lesson in strut today?  Bring $20 and grab a Roxy’s Backyard SK8 Boogie from @sweethazelroxy herself.  She and her young helper will be here with us all day.

#roxysbackyardsk8boogie #derbyunited #seamoss
Gorgeous day. Gorgeous people. Star is in the ho Gorgeous day.  Gorgeous people.  Star is in the house today showing the good people of SD how to STRUT.

@juststarah 
@strutlikestar 

#strutlikestar #rollerskater #strut #strutwalk #derbyunited
You ready to #strutlikestar out in the January sun You ready to #strutlikestar out in the January sunshine today at Derby United?  A few last minute spots have opened up in all three time slots in today’s Strut Workshop with Star @juststarah 

Grab them now while they last.  Masks and preregistration required.

#strut #strutwalk #rollerskatestrutwalk #rollerskater #Repost from @juststarah
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Lights.. Camera.. Action...No no no.
Skates, Camera, MaskOn!! That sounds about right!

Thank you @universalstudios for being so nice. And I'm thanking God for blessing me to see another day!🙏🏾

🎥: @itsmshawkins2u 
😷: @unrolly_ 
#strutlikestar #palmtrees #maskon #universalstudios #hollywood #rollerskating #strut
Enjoying this flamingo weather with Donna @donnata Enjoying this flamingo weather with Donna @donnatank at Lil Rollers today. 

#flamingo #derbyunited #skateinstructor #coachdonna
The student has become the teacher! Harlow teachi The student has become the teacher!  Harlow teaching her mom Shannon @toddlersarehorriblepeople how to shoot the duck on this Saturday Matinee Session.

#sandiegowinter #motherdaughter #familytime #familyskate #shoottheduck #📷the🦆
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Derby United is committed to the creation of an empowering, athletic environment while enriching the lives of our members and community through the sport of roller derby.

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Copyright © 2021 by Roller Derby 360 LLC dba Derby United. Pending Trademark. All rights reserved. Background photo by JCM Photo. Slider Photos: Tristan King.