Double Threat Skates, London UK

OWNED AND OPERATED BY LONDON ROLLER DERBY/ENGLAND SKATERS KITTY & GAZ

About Us

Hello!

We are Kitty and Gaz, owners of Double Threat Skates.
Double Threat Skates (DTS) is London's first roller derby specific bricks and mortar store.
We are located in the heart of Central London, in the old coal storage arches next to St.Pancras Station in bustling King's Cross.
Our aim is to provide derby skaters with expert advice and share the knowledge we have gained over our combined 20 years experience playing high level roller derby. We have skated and coached all over the world (Australia, New Zealand, U.K, U.S, South America and throughout Europe) and understand what a wide range of skaters want out of their gear.
We promise to give you super friendly and helpful service!
Over the years, we have substantially grown our stock and range of products, however we are still very much an independent, 'Ma and Ma' olde fashioned store. We are completely hands on and run every aspect of the shop (with the help from our fantastic staff).
We don't have a giant warehouse that packs and picks our online orders, we do that right here in our shop. Everything from managing our website, purchasing stock, fulfilling online orders, fulfilling sponsorship agreements with our sponsored teams and skaters, all marketing and advertising, researching products, vendor stalls at events, doing the boring accounts, mounting plates, and of course serving customers!! Everything we do is with love and care for our customers because we really treasure the roller derby community. 
We are both passionate about growing the sport of roller derby---through community, coaching and getting you in the best gear for the type of skater you are. We look forward to being part of your derby lives!

Kitty Decapitate Bio:

  • Started playing derby with the London Rollergirls in November 2006
  • Captain, Skater and Coach of LRG WFTDA Team, London Brawling
  • Skater and coaching committee with the England women's squad
  • Started Coaching LRG and around the UK in 2007
  • Moved to Melbourne, Australia in July 2009 and joined the Victorian Roller Derby League
  • Captain of the VRDL All Stars 2011/2012--Two-times winner of National Champs and first WFTDA ranked team in Oz
  • Coach with VRDL, and freelance coach throughout Australia
  • Moved back to London in September 2012
  • Re-Joined London Rollergirls and skated with London Brawling and England Roller Derby, competing in WFTDA Championships and 2 World Cups.
  • Freelance coach
  • Bench Coach and Coach with Southern Discomfort Roller Derby (Men's Team)

Gaz Bio:

  • Was born in Wellington, New Zealand 
  • Started skating with Richter City (Wellington, New Zealand) in 2009
  • Skates for London Brawling and England national squad
  • Has been running Aoteroller Derby Gear in New Zealand since   2010
  • Moved to London in 2011 with plans to move to Berlin, but loved LRG too much to leave
  • Is cool

The Double Threat Skates Story:

Once upon a time in 2013 there was a skater called Kitty Decapitate/Kristen Lee. She moved back to London after 3 years in Australia. Unsure of career aspirations, she had given herself 6 months to decide what she really wanted to do.

The idea of starting a skate shop floated around in her mind. 

After discussions with a few different people about possibly teaming up to pull off such a venture, someone who had been on the periphery suddenly appeared on the scene.

Introducing...Goregasm Ladyburger AKA Gaz.

Gaz has owned a really successful online business, Aotearoller Derby Gear, in New Zealand for 2.5 years. Kitty had been seeking her advice about opening a store and running ideas past her.

After meeting up in a gross greasy spoon cafe one cold Winter's morning, turns out that Gaz wasn't keen to continue her gardening job in the cold climes of Britain, and so the crazy idea of joining forces started to fall into place.

And 2 months later they opened their store!

Even though they barely knew eachother, through a LOT of coffee drinking and with the help of their amazing league-mates the project just seemed to work out serendipitously at every turn.

And they both skated happily ever after!

The End.

Chapter 2:

We have some equally excellent staff that are here to help you and have just as much cool experience in roller derby as we do.

Ballistic Whistle AKA Balls: Along with Kitty, London Rollergirls' oldest rollergirl and London Brawling bench coach, Southern Discomfort Roller Derby jerk. He knows stuff about skating and stuff.

Trisha Smackinawa: London Brawling superstar jammer, resident sports science geek and personal trainer.

Giggity/Chris: Southern Discomfort dude and mens' England squad.

Dee: London Rollergirls' favourite french lady. She also skates a mean bowl trick or two.

Hester: London Rollergirls' hero.