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Skater & Official FAQ

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Where do I need to get my butt and skates and by when?

The Great Southern Slam will be held in Adelaide on Saturday the 6th, Sunday the 7th and Monday 8th of June 2020.

Skater and Official registration will happen on Friday the 6th, from 7pm to 9pm, and registered skaters can get on the track in Goyder Pavillion for a casual skate during that time.

Early news schedule below, noting that these times may ch5nge; if so, they’ll be reflected in an updated version. Also note, challenge bouts are still currently being discussed, with information provided at a later date.

Friday, 5 June

  • 5pm – 9pm: Official registrations at Adelaide Showground. Officials need to register as an individual.
  • 7pm – 9pm: Skater registrations at Adelaide Showground, skating allowed (Goyder Pavillion only). Tournament teams need one representative to collect the full pack. Challenge bout skaters need to register as an individual.

Saturday, 6 June          

  • 9am – 9:15pm, Division 1, 2 and 3 Tournaments

Sunday, 7 June

  • 9am – 9:15pm, Division 1, 2 and 3 Tournaments and Quarter Finals

Monday, 8 June

  • 9am – 7pm, Division 1, 2 and 3 Semi Finals and Finals
  • After Party to follow Finals!

What’s the track/bouting surface like?

The bouting surface is polished concrete = hard and slippery (fast). The Wayville pavilion concrete is slightly rougher (more grippy) in comparison to the Goyder Pavillion (more slippery) which has a smoother surface.

Should I pack grippy or hard wheels?

Of course it’s a matter of personal preference. But we thought you might want to hear from people who’ve skated the surface.
Some wheel recommendations:

      • If you like to grip to the floor with no slide whatsoever – 90a hardness or softer: Atom Stinger and Centuri, Backspin Trackstar, grey or orange Sure-Grip Fugitives, purple or blue Sure-Grip Fugitive Mid, Sure-Grip Sugar, etc.
      • If you like a lot of grip, but a little slide too – 91a-93a hardness: Blue Hyper Witch Doctor and Cannibal, green Hyper Shaman, red, blue, pink or black Sure-Grip Fugitives, yellow Sure-Grip Fugitive Mid, Sure-Grip Optics, Sure Grip Power Plus and Interceptor (except purple or green), Backspin Scribble, Blueprint, Remix and Remix Lite, Atom G-Rods, Omega and Omega 2.0, etc.
      • If you like some grip but not too much and like to be able to slide – 94a-97a hardness: Orange Hyper Witch Doctor or Cannibal, Pink or white Hyper Shaman, green Sure-Grip Fugitives, green or purple Sure-Grip Power Plus or Interceptor, Atom D-Rods, Superfreak, Fusion, and Lowboy, Labeda Heckler, Assault, Diva, Classic Speed and Stiletto, etc.

The above also applies to your weight – if you are lighter you will probably need a grippier wheel, if you are heavier you probably won’t need to go as grippy.

The floor in the Goyder pavilion is a little slipperier than the Wayville pavilion. The floor in the Wayville hall is more abrasive and feels grippier, but will wear out wheels fairly quickly.

So when the officials wave their hands all funny at me, what are the rules?

WFTDA rules released 1 March 2018 will be played for all bouts at The Great Southern Slam.  If there are any changes we’ll post them here.

Can I run around in my birthday suit?

Sure, if you like. But mid June in Adelaide has an average high temperature of around 16C, and an average low temperature of 8C (but can get way colder), so pack leg warmers and hoodies for between bouts and for after-parties.

Can my friends/mum/pet pug get in for free?

Not really, no.  Each team can register up to 20 skaters and five support staff (benchies, helpers, merch village staff, masseuse, etc.). Everyone else needs to buy a ticket to help cover the costs of putting on the tournament. But it’s a pretty cheap ticket price for SO MUCH DERBY!  And as much as we dig dogs, no pets allowed either (assistance animals excepted). Sorry.

Hey I’m a skater/official, do I need a spectator pass to come and watch on days that I’m not skating?

Skaters and Officials have access to ALL tracks & do not need to purchase day passes one days that they are just spectating.

Does TGSS have a gender policy?

Adelaide Roller Derby follows the WFTDA gender policy, which states that “identifying as transgender, intersex, and/or gender expansive is not in any way related to an individual’s eligibility for participating as a volunteer or employee. Any individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive may skate with a WFTDA charter team if women’s flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.”

In short: you are very welcome to play at TGSS!

I’m in Adelaide for longer than just the tournament dates, and I am desperate for a skate… WHERE ARE THE INDOOR SKATING VENUES?

Okay, in order of proximity to the city:

    If the weather’s fine, there are many netball courts on the corner of West Terrace and South Terrace in the city, and these are ideal for an outdoor skate and are usually free during the day. There are a tonne of bike paths between the city and beach as well, which make for a great skate!

Muscles! Ouch! Where can I go to have a spa or swim?

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre has huge indoor swimming pools and provides spa, sauna and steam room facilities. The centre is in North Adelaide, about five minutes from the city centre. Catch a taxi, ride a bike and use the near by bike lockers, or take a 235 or 239 bus from Grenfell Street. Centre hours are 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 7am to 7pm Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Entry fee $8.10 per person.

Oh crap my laces/kneepads/mouthguard broke, where can I get another one?

For skates, most skate parts and mouthguards, visit Da Klinic at 20 Currie Street Adelaide, ph 8212 0028. Open 7 days, Monday to Thursday, 10.00am to 6.00pm; Friday 10.00am-7.00pm, Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 12.00pm-5.00pm.

For boot fixes, such as replacement eyelets and speed strap repairs, go to Ideal Shoe Store at 174 Hutt Street Adelaide, ph 8223 4017.

For spare shoelaces, try A-Mart Sports upstairs in the City Cross arcade just off the King William Street end of Rundle Mall, Rebel Sports in the Myer Centre on Rundle Mall or a supermarket. At a pinch, some of the larger petrol stations sell socks and shoelaces.

For spare socks, jocks or fishnets, try Target at the Rundle Street/Pulteney Street end of Rundle Mall, or any of the major department stores in Rundle Mall.

Check the Adelaide Guide section of this site or ask a local for more details.

Oh crap I twisted or pulled a knee/wrist/elbow, where’s a good physio close by?

I’m sure there are plenty of great physios in Adelaide, but here are a couple of derby-friendly places we go to regularly:

  • Physio Fit Adelaide (on site)
    Our league sponsor will be hands on at the tournament venue. We’ll let you know exact details closer to the date.
    Ph: 87226 9901
    31 Smart Road, Modbury SA 5092
  • City Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic
    Ph: 8212 4886
    6th Floor, 118 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
    Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm; Thursday, 7.30am to 6.30pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays closed.
  • The Physio Studio
    Ph: 8357 0418
    (right near the Adelaide Showground!) 132 Goodwood Road, Goodwood SA 5034

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 8.00am to 8.00pm; Tuesday, 8.00am to 6.00pm; Thursday, 8.00am to 2.30pm; Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 12.00pm; Sundays and Public Holidays, closed.

I need medication at a weird hour. Where can I get it?

The Midnight Pharmacy is back…but in a slightly different location! Read below for more details.

Midnight Pharmacy
Ph 8274 1544
192-198 Wakefield Street, Adelaide
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7.00am to 12-midnight; Sun/Public holidays, 9.00am to 12-midnight

Chemist King
Ph: 8274 1544
25 King William Road, Hyde Park
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 7.00pm; Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm and; Sunday 11.00am to 4.00pm. Public Holidays closed.

National Pharmacies Adelaide
52 Gawler Place, Adelaide
Monday to Thursday, 8.00am to 5.30pm; Friday 8.00am to 7.00pm; Saturday, 9.00am to 5.00pm; Sunday and Public Holidays closed

For anything urgent outside of these hours, go directly to a hospital.

Oops… I think I broke part of me. Where’s the nearest HOSPITAL?

In an emergency, dial 000 and ask for the type of emergency service you require, e.g. AMBULANCE

The nearest public all hours hospital to the city and showground is:

Royal Adelaide Hospital
Ph: (08) 7074 0000  for patient enquiries
(Public, All Hours Emergency)
North Terrace – the new hospital is now located at the WESTERN end of North Terrace, at the intersection of Port Road.

Also, near the Adelaide Showground:

Ashford Hospital
Ph: 8375 5222 for patient enquiries
(Private, 8am to 10pm Emergency Hours)
55 Anzac Highway Ashford

Um… okay, I have skated…where’s the after party?

We at ADRD know how to pull off a party, if we do say so ourselves. This will be the after party of all after parties…yes, even after four TGSS’, we can pull off a better party than the last! The party will be held onsite at TGSS  (same venue as 2016) on Monday, 8 June and kicks off as soon as the division 1 final is over.

We’ll let you know what the theme is soon, so you can dress to impress!

I am STARVING and it’s 3a.m. Help me?

Don’t panic. Here are your options:

The Original Pancake Kitchen
Ph: 8211 7912
13 Gilbert Place, Adelaide
(just behind the corner of King William and Hindley, near Rundle Mall)
Pancake-based meals both sweet and savoury, roast potato chunks, beer, cider
24 hours 7 days

Marcellina’s Pizza House
Ph: 8211 7560 for delivery
273 Hindley Street, Adelaide (head towards West Terrace)
Pizza, pasta, seafood, gluten free pizza, beer wine & spirits
7 days, until very late (around 4 or 5am)

Falafel House
Ph: 8231 5350
102 Hindley Street, Adelaide
As the name suggests, they serve falafels. The vegan meltdowns are the bomb (hot chips, your choice of bean, chilli sauce, hummus, tahini and tabouli). They also serve beer!
7 days, until late (around 3-4am)

McDonald‘s Hindley Street
Ph: 8231 9565
44 Hindley Street, Adelaide
The usual golden arch thing. Burgers and would you like fries with that. No alcohol.
24 hours 7 days

Café de Vilis
Ph: 8234 2042
Corner of Manchester Street and South Road, Mile End
(approximately 10 minutes or $10-$15 by taxi from the city)
The café outlet of a local pie and pasty factory.
Pies, pasties, vili dogs, quiches, lamingtons, tarts, beer and wine. Try a pie floater.
24 hours 7 days

Bakery on O’Connell
44 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide
Ph: 8361 7377
44 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide
approximately 5 minutes or $10 by taxi from the city
Baked things, toasted sandwiches, slush puppies, soup, energy drinks, Internet access. No alcohol.
24 hours 7 days

If you don’t want to leave your bed (we get it, we don’t judge) download UberEats and have a gander at what’s available.

I have a question you didn’t answer!

No problem. Email one of the contacts on this site and we’ll answer it.

Is this going to be the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life?

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