So I went to train during a Freshmeat (very evocative name!) Sunday, an open door / recruitment day for the Dublin Roller Girls.
We were welcomed, Lydia and I, by the organisational committee and the head of the group, lovely Christine O'Connor, aka Kitty Cadaver. After signing a paper confirming that we won't sue the girls if we bust our heads or break an arm/tooth/nail, we were separated in two groups , one being briefed and one starting the training.
The girls were very helpful and professional, explaining what Roller Derby is all about and answering our questions. In a nutshell Roller Derby is a contact sport for girls invented in the 1970s in the US. Your team against another team must gain points as they skate around an oval inclined track, and you can hit (within rules) the opposite team to make them fall and slow them down. A lot of fun to watch but scary to train for.
Derby girls choose a "warrior" name, always kind of sexy/ scary such as Kitty Cadaver, Peppy Nephrin, Whippy Longstockings or Dirty Knees Lou-eez. It is always a lot of fun to discover new names but be careful choosing your name as the International Roller Derby federation keeps a record of all the name to avoid doubles!
After the talk, the action: we got geared and started learning how to position ourselves, skate well and turn (The Dublin Roller Girls skate on a flat track), I was whizzing around but got almost cold feet when we had to learn how to fall. one or two shy tries later I was throwing myself at the ground, still being careful not to hit anyone or get my fingers rolled over.
I stopped to watch everyone finish training, stretch and grin from ear to ear, saying how much they had enjoyed this experience. Lydia was delighted with the experience; a beginner skater she was nonetheless a warrior (same as when we ice skated) and kept going and going around the track on wobbly legs, with an admirable determination.
Lydia and I, in all our derby glory!
A good thing done, several great pics taken and a laugh shared, I will only go on seeing the DRG as a PR consultant for their communication plan and leave the *whizz-bam-crash* to the real players!
Thanks again Girls for the warm welcome, you are a great team!
More information about the Dublin Roller Girls on :
- http://www.facebook.com/dublinrollergirls
- Check them live at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um7mj_Yrc7U
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