Whanganui's West Coast Bombers roller derby team will be learning from one of the United States' best next week.
Team USA roller derby player Jennifer Gaskins (aka Snot Rocket Science) will be in Whanganui on February 1 taking a workshop with an invited group.
West Coast Bombers' Emma Camden haskept in touch with Gaskins since she was last in New Zealand and asked her to come to Whanganui this year.
Gaskins will be in town with her husband who also plays roller derby.
"They've been following the Bombers' progress and they're quite interested in us because we're a co-ed team," Camden said. "They've been trying to promote it for years."
Gaskins will lead a four-hour workshop with the locals which Camden said was unique opportunity for the team.
"There'll be a section of training for agility on skates and then I'm interested in new strategies."
As well as being a national representative Gaskins plays high level roller derby for Florida's Jacksonville RollerGirls having recently shifted from Pittsburgh where she played for a number of years at Steel City Roller Derby.
Camden said top level roller derby in the United States was "streaks ahead" of New Zealand.
"She's sort of the best of the best," Camden said.
"The only New Zealanders that are punching above their weight are the ones who have left New Zealand shores and have joined top teams around the World."
Camden said the workshop will prepare the Whanganui-based team for a big season which includes six home games, including and 'All Day Derby' on April 8.
