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In my short break from the boards, I seem to have acquired an obsession with roller derby. I caught the June 2 bout of The Gotham Girls Roller Derby and now I am practicing to try out for Brooklyn next time tryouts roll around.
I've started skating classes, and I am much better on quads then I thought- I used to be mad into inline skates, so I was afraid of the transition.
Are any of you guys fans or better yet, derby girls? Any advice to offer? The competition here is fierce, and I am not likely to get picked unless I really, really rock. So I could use tips if we've got any seasoned skaters.
-------------------- My great grandfather planted that tree! Posts: 4862 | From: Brooklyn | Registered: Sep 2000
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I wholly approve of roller derby girls and can only implore the British to adopt this most excellent of sports before it's too late!
-------------------- This is where I come up with something right? Something really clever... Posts: 6552 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2002
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I wish we had the derby in my neck of the woods. I used to be a fan of the show on A&E until it seemed to drift away from the sport for most of each show.
quote:If you ever make it to a bout, Jay, you should sit in VIP. Donna Matrix did a flying faceplant into the front row
Donna Matrix - I love it!
...can't wait to get good and set up for some 'flying faceplants' - indeedy.
-------------------- This is where I come up with something right? Something really clever... Posts: 6552 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2002
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I'm friends with one of the Putas. She broke her ankle halfway through the season. That's one thing to consider, you need to have good insurance and you need to be able to go to work with a black eye. They sport some hellacious bruises.
Posts: 4811 | From: Austin, TX | Registered: Feb 2000
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-------------------- and it's 1 - 2 - 3, what are we fighting for? don't ask me, I don't give a damn Posts: 1319 | From: Florida | Registered: Dec 2002
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I'm a makeup artist, though, and I also work in a laid back and very low-traffic office, so bruises are okay. I have bad knees, but I've gotta live my life. Surgeons need to put food on the table, too!
-------------------- My great grandfather planted that tree! Posts: 4862 | From: Brooklyn | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Gayle: I'm friends with one of the Putas. She broke her ankle halfway through the season. That's one thing to consider, you need to have good insurance and you need to be able to go to work with a black eye. They sport some hellacious bruises.
The Putas!! We were visiting friends in Austin and saw a Putas/Cherry Bombs match. We are now total fans. Thankfully, Norfolk and Richmond are starting leagues. I giggle when I wear my Putas shirt here and just get funny looks, but you find out real quick who knows Spanish. I agree about the bruises, I was sore just watching them play.
ETA: Ouch Ana, that looks very painful!! But very impressive.
-------------------- We frettered around like farm animals, looking around for formulas and father figures. -Twilight Zone Posts: 425 | From: Lynchburg, VA | Registered: May 2005
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Ah, I remember the days of watching Roller Derby, back when I was in junior high school or so. We watched the Los Angelese Thunderbirds, of course, who were the perennial world champions -- of what league, we never were quite sure. Several decades later I happened upon a game on television and was bemused to find out that Ralphie Valederez was still skating for the team -- he'd lost all his hair, but there he was. Sheesh.
One summer, they tried an experiment called "Roller Bowler" and played some games at a local stadium in Long Beach. This was a game similar to roller derby, but with a slight difference. In the standard game, at the time, the "jammer" would be designated by putting on a helmet, and scored points for every opponent passed (even if the helmet got knocked off). In Roller Bowler, you could actually toss the "bowler" (a helmet but with a little brim added) to another player, and you scored for every opponent the bowler passed. Of course, the bowler could be blocked -- I don't remember if it could be intercepted.
It didn't work out, I think in part because whoever came up with the idea didn't anticipate the obvious: instead of passing the bowler forward, over the heads of the opponents, you'd toss it over the infield to the other side of the track.
Anyhow...got no idea what's up with the sport nowadays, except I think they charged it up a notch. But it kind of got pushed into the background by the wrestling craze of the 80's and 90's. If you try out, best of luck!
quote:Originally posted by Echinodermata Q. Taft: Ah, I remember the days of watching Roller Derby, back when I was in junior high school or so. We watched the Los Angelese Thunderbirds, of course, who were the perennial world champions -- of what league, we never were quite sure.
Ah, yes, Joanie Weston, the Blonde Bomber.
Ana, we do have two roller rinks here in Springfield. I was going to invite you to come try them out, but then you spoiled it by revealing that the leg above is not yours. Oh, well, my wife and kids wouldn't have gone for it anyway. Maybe you could try to get them to give Springfield a Roller Derby franchise, though?
-------------------- Patrick Posts: 576 | From: Illinois | Registered: Dec 2002
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They closed them all to build Home Depots. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(Kilts and briefs...)
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Maybe you could try to get them to give Springfield a Roller Derby franchise, though? 
