August - The Baconator

An Interview with…The Baconator!

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

I had already been skating for a few years and my beloved bff Stevi Kicks had already been a part of VCDD for a couple of years, but at the time it wouldn't have been possible for me to join because of my job schedule and location.  Our other bestie Allyn Ur Mom finally got her hands on some skates and I had just started a local job with better hours, so we decided (more so my FOMO, I said I'd try it if she did) to join for the Fall 2024 Fresh Meat class!  I don't actually ever play derby or even participate in anything involving contact after passing my assessment - I like to watch my friends hit each other but I don't like to be hit by or hit my friends, so I referee and officiate! I love following the rules so it's really fun for me to also get to enforce them, I'm more of a behind the scenes person anyways - being a moving part of what makes something happen is really fulfilling.

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

When our coach, Jinkies, made me the official "Cut-Track Enforcer" for the entire practice time all season (You cut the track, you're doing burpees!) to help us all stay in the good habit of always exiting legally, even outside of scrimmages/bouts.

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

Everything comes with time and experience.  As an official, I'm watching a lot of derby at practices, scrimmages, and bouts - it was so overwhelming at the beginning even just trying to figure out what I was seeing, let alone what I was supposed to look out for or focus on in the moment.  I could study the rules and penalties all I wanted, but it was still so confusing and overwhelming to watch.  It's been time which has made me more comfortable and confident as a referee. I guess that's just a really long-winded way to say patience!

Did you play any other sports before derby? Has that contributed to how you play/skate?

Yes - Softball and a couple different styles of dance, most recently and primarily tap. I actually started learning to tap not too long after starting to skate and they both really helped me with the other and vice/versa! Learning both at the same time has really helped my balance - although it did make me realize I carry my entire being and essence firmly planted in my heels, which is…not ideal for skating OR tap but I would have never figured it out if I hadn’t started both around the same time - I would have just kept falling backwards on my ass and wondering why!

How did you pick your derby name?

My actual last name is, in fact, Bacon!! I actually don't even like bacon and pork, or beef so I think it's extra funny to share a name with the famous Wendy's sandwich

How did you pick your derby number?

My dads number was always 14 when he played baseball.  He used to help coach my softball teams growing up, and the first year we got to choose our own numbers he asked me if I would pick 14, I've used it ever since!

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

OPR (Outside Pack Referee) is my favorite,  it's the position I've refereed the most and I really love the endurance training I get by skating on the outside.  Jam Reffing is probably my least favorite (for now) only because it scares me, the inside is a much smaller surface area and turning radius - plus having to count points?! It's so intimidating!

What do you do to get ready for a bout?

Mostly just making sure I'm hydrated, my personal motto is "hydrate or die-drate" and almost anyone who knows me will tell you I'm addicted to the popsicle flavor of Liquid IV!  I always make sure to start really hydrating with water about 3 days before a bout,  drink a large bottle of Liquid IV the morning of, and staying hydrated with water and Gatorade during and after.

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

If not every single thing in derby seems appealing, start by trying whatever does - even if it's only one part!  Going in I knew there was a high likelihood I would not enjoy the full-contact sport aspect of it all, so I figured out my own way around it by strictly refereeing/NSOing! There is an insane amount of flexibility, support, and enthusiasm from my fellow officials, skaters, and our league as a whole for those of us who might be more interested in officiating/non-contact.

Finish this sentence: When I’m not playing derby, I am _____.

Holed up in my house like the little hermit I am - usually crocheting, making jewelry, or whatever needlessly complicated craft I can get my hands on!

Do you have a derby mentor?

Honestly all of my fellow officials on and off skates have been and continue to be wonderful mentors! Malice and Collin Ambulance have both really taken me under their wings to show me the on skates refereeing ropes, they both have a great way of explaining penalties and game play; Collins enthusiasm is infectious and I strive to be as cool and level-headed as Mal one day!

​What keeps you motivated to keep playing when things get tough?

I like to remind myself of how far I've come, skating and socially because of it! Skating was originally a very solitary activity for me, both because I'm naturally very hermit-like and it was the height of lockdown; I'm also generally very weary of bodily injury/physical pain and almost overly cautious as a result.  The longer I've been skating then less afraid I am of the bruises and scrapes, and the more I instinctually think to ask my friends to come skate with me.

What’s your favorite part of skating with VCDD?

The comradery!!! I may not like playing contact sports, but I DO love having a shared hobby with my friends and being part of a team! Parallel play is my love language and I get the perfect amount through skating and refereeing my teammates at practice...that and endurance - I do love me a 27/5 or even just skating in circles for a few hours.

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

It's supposed to be fun, you are literally paying to be here!!! If it starts to feel stressful or like a source of anxiety, try taking a step back and going back to what originally felt fun or relaxing.  If all else fails, drink some water and take a nap! You're probably dehydrated and you can't be anxious if you're unconscious.