FULTON, N.Y. (NCC News) — A heatwave has been smothering Central New York for a week. For Celeste Steele and her teammates on Salt City Roller Derby, it’s kind of been just another day at the office.
“In order to improve you have to have a willingness to constantly be uncomfortable and take criticisms,” Steele said.
The team held their usual practice at Fulton Ice Rink Tuesday evening. With the temperature pushing 90 degrees and a single industrial fan providing air conditioning, the heat definitely added a twist to the usual combination of agility, strength and team exercises. There were also plenty of water breaks — and laughter.
Steele said the balancing act is what Salt City is all about.
“Almost a radically inclusive approach to what people need during a practice, and not being super regimented especially when it’s extraordinarily hot. I think [it] gives people an environment to where they don’t feel like they need to be egotistical or defend themselves fiercely,” she said.
Salt City team member Slay West says roller derby is known for its physicality. The life-long athlete compares it to football, hockey and lacrosse with its blend of speed and aggression.
That said, on nights like Tuesday – where the 94-degree day led to a humid evening in the high 80s – teamwork and perseverance were really what it was all about.
“I think what I really enjoyed about roller derby is I got to meet a lot of different types of people that I don’t think I would have met otherwise and that I hadn’t met previously,” West said.
