FAQ
Q: Do I have to pay to bring my boyfriend (or husband or girlfriend or kids or other non-skating pal)?
A: Anyone can stay at the hotel and attend the free events, but for entry into the Sport Center, they’ll need a RollerCon Pass. Challenges, scrimmages, bouts, training, seminars, Vendor Village and more will be held at the Sport Center.
Q: What’s the dress code for the Black n Blue Ball?
A: Black and/or blue formal wear, creative costumes, bondage clothing, a prom dress, old zoot suits, thrift store fashions, uniforms, Victorian, Tuxedos, homemade gowns, glittery dresses, pantsuits, costumes, creative swimsuits - WHATEVER, as long as you’re wearing all black and/or blue… absolutely no jeans or street clothes! AND, we thought we didn’t have to mention it, but every year proves we do: NO NIPS OR PANTY HAMSTERS! Please do wear clothing of SOME kind. Thank you. No exceptions! 2010 BNB Ball is at the Tropicana Pool, so wear waterproof makeup! This event is open to the black-or-blue-clad public.
Q: Do I have to bring my team to be able to skate?
A: No. There will be open scrimmages, training on skates, and other opportunities for single skaters to have fun. If you want to participate in a scheduled Challenge, you must be on a challenge team. There are rules to qualify for skating.
Q: My friend’s band wants to play - who should I call?
A: You can have them send contact information and a link to an mp3 to
doubledownsaloon@gmail.com and wait for Moss’s judgement.
Q: Can I come if I’m underage?
A: Yes, there will be plenty of fun things for underage skaters to do. You will have access to all the workshops, training, skating, scrimmages and social events with one exception: you won’t be allowed in the bars. Sorry.
Q: Can I come if I’m a dude (or a banked track skater, or a member of an OSDA league, or an old-schooler, a Renegade, a garden gnome, a Laotian National, an Anarchist, or a member of any other group I think people might not like?)
A: Rollercon is not segregated in any way. Its for all roller derby players, league members, athletic supporters and fans, including the “super” variety.
Q: Where does a vegan eat in Las Vegas?
A: Check out a list of veggie/vegan-friendly restaurants
here.
Q: Can I skate on the strip?
A: Yes. We’ve done it. But its scary - everyone is drunk, clueless and they’ll all step in your way at the last second. Be careful and stay off the street. The drivers are worse! Dazzled by the signs and lights and drunk about 70% of the time, the LAST place you want to find yourself - ever - is on the pavement of the Strip, especially at night.
Q: Is it true you can drink anytime, anywhere in Las Vegas?
A: No. We have open container laws just like everyone else. However, they’re not enforced on *walkers* on the strip. So you can take your drink to and from casinos and walk around with it on Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street - but be polite and get a “to go” cup on the way out of the casino with your drink, or catch attitude from locals. Under no circumstances is drinking and driving legal.
Q: Can I skate in the hotel?
A: NO. Please use your head when you’re in RC events and locations. USARS insurance covers the Las Vegas Sports Center (during scheduled events and training) and Fremont Street track (only!) during the challenges (only!). That’s it. Please keep your skates off til you get to one of those places.
Q: I don’t have USARS - can I still skate?
A: Depends. Check out our
insurance page for more info. NO ONE may skate until they’ve stopped by the registration desk to have their insurance verified.
Q: Is RollerCon wheelchair-accessible?
A: Yes, and its especially accessible for attendees that can get out of their chair for a few seconds or be lifted. The shuttle doesn’t have a wheelchair lift, but it does have a place to stow a wheelchair. The whole city is pretty new, so our hotel and park facilities meet the highest standards of accessibility.
Q: Is there a deadline for RollerCon registration?
A: No.
FLV Locals’ secrets:
- Valet parking is free. You don’t have to tip them, but come on. Give them at least a buck each when you drop off and pick up your car.
- Bellmen (and women) are free and the valet will call one for you. They’ll carry all your shit. Tip them at least a buck per bag.
- You get free drinks in casinos if you put money in the machine while you’re waiting for your drink, usually about $10. That includes the Double Down. Its usually cheaper to buy your drink, though.
- You have to have your ID to get in bars here. There are very few exceptions, and no exceptions in the Fruit Loop, where the Double Down is located.
A Few Words of Advice from RollerCon Attendees:
- Bring eye drops, especially if you wear contacts. Consider trying saline nasal spray to moisten your sinuses (which can crack and bleed) if you’re from somewhere humid (which is pretty much everywhere but Phoenix, when compared to Vegas). Challenges outdoors during the day on Fremont street are like playing with a blowdryer on high in your face the whole time.
- Bring chapstick and carry it with you everywhere. Chapped lips aren’t fun. Boxers put vaseline on their mouthguards to keep lips from sticking and chapping. Works for us, too.
- Bring extra skate laces, bearings, wheels, a skate tool (pack it in your check in or they will take it) etc.
- I HIGHLY recommend CARRY ON for your skatebag. Lost skates = no fun at RollerCon. Bring a change of clothes, your pads, helmet, etc. with you - worst that can happen is you wear the same clothes or cheap souvenir shirts every day - but you still get to skate. Put your name on all your shit.
- Don’t forget to drink a LOT of water. Especially if you drink alcohol at all.
- Aunt Flo & Ivanna, San Diego Derby Dolls
I can’t speak for everyone, and am FAR from a Rollercon Veteran, but here are my suggestions on packing:
- Don’t kid yourself about wearing jeans, pants, legwarmers, et. al. Remember it’s INCREDIBLY hot in Vegas in the summer.
- the Average High Temperature for Rollercon is 104 F with a historical range of 86 F to 114 F.
- The Average Low Temperature for Rollercon is 81 F with a historical range of 70 F to 89 F.
- There is a 99% chance of a Hot Day at Rollercon (temperature over 90°F / 32°C).
- Remember to hydrate. Seems like a der, but there’s lots of opportunities for adult beverages at Rollercon, and it’s very easy to forget that you’re in the middle of a desert. Water, water, water.
- Ask around with your leagues or newfound league friends to see if anyone has a vehicle or wants to split a cab to the store. It’s well worth hitting up a grocery store and stocking up on water and fruit and appropriate snacks. If you can’t hit up a grocery store, look around for the best deal on things like bottled water within walking distance. Don’t laugh, gramma’s biscuits might save you! (note from Ivanna; Shuttle stops at Whole Foods Market once a day; check the schedule for details)
- Request a fridge! Last year it was $10 a day. Alternately, look into buying a cheap cooler when you make it to the store.
- Look around for cheap eats if you’re on a budget. There’s food deals to be had at casinos, and plenty of cheap eats within walking distance. There are also other budget-minded casinos within walking distance as well that may have some cheap options. Explore and conquer.
- Plan ahead with the shuttles! Seriously, give yourself a lot of extra time to get there. The shuttles are lots of fun, super crowded, and take some time to get where you want to be. Also, if there’s someone who HAS to make a challenge bout because they are skating and reffing, it’s be way cool if you’d let them take your spot on the bus (if that comes up).
- Comfortable shoes, ESPECIALLY at derby wedding. I love heels. I love to wear them. High heels and jeans are the Rolling Stones of outfits. I’m not even bringing heels this trip.
- Bring league merch to trade. Pins, shirts, stickers…whatever. Personally, I find that the whole “shirt trade” thing works out better if you set it up in advance (shirts are bulky!), but pins and stickers go for everyone.
- Think about setting a very rough goal. What do you want to get out of it? Panels? Skating workshops? Attending fun themed scrimmages on Fremont or in the Sports Center? Open scrimmage? Drinking and socializing at the pool? Figure out what your tentative goal is, and when you get to Rollercon and check in, take a look at the schedule. Choose what your “must see” items are and choose what your “nice to see” items are. Make yourself a little schedule and that way you know what’s happening for the day, and you’ve already ranked them in order of importance.
- Give yourself realistic “socializing” and “resting” time. If that 10am panel on Saturday is something you HAVE to go to…maybe go easy on the adult beverages Friday night.
- Bring a least a small budget for gear and merch if you can! There will be amazing vendors that will have at least one trinket you can’t live without. Maybe that trinket is a cute little doll, maybe that trinket is a shirt, maybe that trinket is a new pair of custom skates.
Remember, Rollercon has something for EVERYONE, and just like life: you get out of it what you put into it. Have fun!
Gia de los Muertos
Co-Captain, Gramercy Refs Rollercon Challenge Team!
Enforcer Captain
Enforcer Training Team
Los Angeles Derby Dolls
www.derbydolls. com/la