Four teachers on campus  all skate for the same roller derby team. Danielle Flint, Kaitlin Naccarato, Chelsea Skoien, and Thara Foster are all a part of the High Tide Roller Derby team in Garden Grove. 

Flint immediately fell in love with the sport after they started skating in 2013 and they have continued with their passion ever since. Five years after first starting, they joined a team that their partner owned and slowly started recruiting other teachers. 

High Tide Roller Derby is an Orange County all-inclusive skating league. Their main goal is to bring people together as a team regardless of differences in identity. High Tide also has the mission of helping empower others and make more confident skaters. They strive to give back to the community that allowed them to have this opportunity and create a family within their team. 

Recently, the league held a fundraiser event on September 11. They taught skating sessions, had lots of food and drinks, sold merch, and other fun activities. All of the proceeds from skating and food tickets went directly to the High Tide Derby to help support them.

On Saturday, October 16, they will have their first bout (game) since the beginning of quarantine. At the event, there are three different games. There will be two junior bouts at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and then an adult bout at 7 p.m. 

High Tide will be participating in the 7 p.m. adult bout, and will be coached by Flint against the Foothill Foxy Flyers (FFF). 

Roller Derby is a very intense, physical sport. “The hardest part about Roller Derby is the leg strength, it’s the conditioning, it’s the endurance,” said Flint. Skaters are very prone to injury, as it is a full contact sport; and when you’re punishing your body 4 days a week, it can take a lot of mental strength. These teachers are strong individuals, as it takes a lot of commitment and passion.

No matter how intense it can get, the community will always be the best part of skating. “As an adult it is actually kind of hard to make friends, so it’s really nice to meet people from all over the place who have something in common and enjoy spending time together,” said Flint. Sports like roller derby are amazing ways to create lasting friendships and bonds with others to bring people together as a family.