How did you get into Roller Derby?

Same as most folk I think, seen ‘whip it’ and thought teckle!

It all couldn’t have came at a better time as I was recovering from a life saving operation, in which my body had started to eat itself and my muscles had wasted away. I was down to 5 stone and couldn’t walk, couldn’t support my own body weight so had to find something to build me back up both physically and emotionally. I knew I wasn’t the going to the gym type, so roller derby ticked both boxes of getting fit while enjoying myself and the sociability aspect.

I wasn’t sure if a sports team would accept a broken bodied, noncompetitive hippy soul, with 20 years of debauchery lol, but the girls and guys of DRG [Dundee Roller Girls] are truly mind blowing!
Not only did they accept me, they are amazingly supportive, amazing people and now amazing teckle friends for life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has been your favourite Derby experience so far?

I should write my first bout as a ref, however the one I will never forget and was the most emotional, was my graduation bout.

I never thought I would play in a bout, (due to my rubbish body), let alone jam, and I knew from the start I wanted to be a ref, so to have that experience as a blocker and a jammer, totes blew my mind, was greeting my face aff at the end as I couldn’t believe I did it and survived it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you do when you are not skating?

I am a country dwelling hippy, musician, raver, tea swilling smoker of copious amounts of fags. oh, and I dance a lot.

What do you think is most important for a new skater to learn?
Never give up! everyone learns at different speeds but we all get there in the end, so dont worry and even if you have health issues you can still do it.

Who is your skater of the Month for May?
My totes teckle dance partner Audrey, and she has the best name – Emma Belter! I love her hard working and her ‘just get on with it’ attitude and I love her relationship with her husband Shuggs Bunny, to see a married couple in derbyland is a beautiful thing.

1. How did you get into Roller Derby?
I guess it’s the old cliche of watching ‘Whip It’. But to be honest I’d always wanted to roller skate (derby was secondary after I watched the movie) but never got round to it. I bought a pair of what I call ‘Torvill and Dean’ style roller skates (look like ice skates but on wheels!). I now had a pair of skates and nowhere to use them! Luckily for me, and not long after, I heard an interview on local radio about the Dundee Destroyers. My skates would see the light of day. I went along to training and was hooked.

2. What has been your favourite Derby experience so far?
I absolutely love skating. I never thought I could ever get so into a past time. I really enjoy learning new skills, it’s important to keep things interesting.

But I have had my ‘moments’ in derby. I was seriously injured (yes it can happen!) 2 years ago. But all through being injured I never doubted for one second that I wouldn’t want to skate again. I’ll be first to admit that I’m not the fastest in the world, but I am dedicated. When your confidence is knocked it takes time and effort to get back in the saddle. But I think I’ve met that challenge head on.

At the moment my goal is to learn how to ref. We have a great wee team of prospective ref’s in the Dundee Roller Girls and I hope one day I can become a true zebra.
I’ve also made some really good friends.

3. What do you do when you are not skating?
I’m an assemblage artist and love creating. I watch a lot of movies with my hubby. I love vintage cars and love nothing better than driving my very noisy 1966 VW Beetle.

4. What do you think is most important for a new skater to learn?
It’s fair to say that when you begin, every week feels like a Bambi moment. My advise is wear your skates as often in between training as poss. You get the feel of their weight and they start feeling less alien. Also, if you can skate anywhere at home (I use my kitchen and my hallway) it can help loads. I learned t-stops and transitions in my wee kitchen! Just remember to be safe and pad up. It’s worth even just practicing getting up from one knee without putting your hands down. Wee exercises will strengthen your legs in between sessions and stave off the jelly leg syndrome!

I think a lot of new skaters panic about getting through their minimum skills. But just remember that everyone gets there at their own pace. Perfecting your skills until you feel comfy is really important. At times it can be frustrating when you can’t nail that certain skill, but patience really does pay off. Just keep working hard, and if in doubt always ask, better to get it right than to get into a bad skating habit. Practice, practice, practice. And as I always say, do it coz you love it!

5. Who is your skater of the Month for April?
My skater of the month is Val. I think she has an amazing attitude to skating and life. She skates through adversity and has been a massive help to me in my quest to ref. She’s also someone who I hit it off with straight away and is always positive.