SKATER OF THE MONTH

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?

Back in 2005 there were some people in my hometown talking about starting a roller derby team. I thought it sounded like so much fun, but I didn't happen. Fast forward to 2015 I saw a flyer for VCDD and became immediately obsessed and decided to join fresh meat.

What’s your favorite part of skating with VCDD?

Playing with my besties, traveling to away bouts when Sugar forgets to draw in one of her eyebrows when we’re about to go to dinner!! Those thousands of belly laughs are priceless!!

What advice would you give to someone thinking about playing derby?

Literally do it. You are capable of so much and you’ll surprise yourself all the time. I’ve become so much stronger and more in-tune with my body, and derby is such a cool sport in that there isn’t just one body type that is successful in derby. Everyone is welcome and everyone is appreciated.

Do you have a favorite & a least favorite position? Can you elaborate?

Oh man, right now, all positions are terrifying. I get stiff in the legs when I'm nervous so the captains only put me in the center of tripods in games. In practice, I love to jam even if I don't get through. Blocking is really fun too, until Fatal sends you to the floor.

What advice would you give people?

Some advice I would give to skaters is its progress not perfection and the Albert Einstein quote, "You never fail until you stop trying."

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?

The first things that caught my attention were the names and personas people chose for the track. The skating part came later! My first night on skates was my first night at VCDD Fresh Meat, well and truly. I was so curious to see if I could do it and earn a cool derby name.

What was that “one moment” when you knew playing derby was the right thing for you?

Basically as soon as I stepped into the Made West for recruitment night and saw the VCDD crowd. I love playing sports so as long as my little legs are going, I'm happy but meeting the team was like finally finding my people.

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

Balance and quicker reflexes/reactions. I used to drop things all the time and now I feel like I have a superpower.

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?
The overall badassery caught my attention. I came to watch a bout in 2009 and signed up shortly after.

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

I’ve learned in derby that your gonna fall and make mistakes, you just have to get up and keep going. Just like in life, there will always be setbacks but as long as you don’t give up the sun will rise again.

Any last bit of advice you'd like to give people?

Every chance not taken is a loss, so take every chance even if you fail, get back up and try again !

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?

I remember going to see VCDD play at the fairgrounds and they were hitting hard, skating fast, and the derby names were hilarious! My favorite derby name of all time is Anita Slapahoe. A year or so later my wifey, Fatal Crush, invited me to try playing. I was hooked from practice one!