VRDL take on Hotrod Honeys

Fast, intense, rough, sexy, exciting and tough. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it. Not only is it a sport, it’s also a spectacle. Roller Derby is a skillful game that’s grueling yet graceful.

The almost Antarctic conditions didn’t stop the crowd flocking to the showgrounds last Saturday night to see the Victorian Roller Derby League take on the Texas Hotrod Honeys. All three and a half thousand of them poured through the gates blankets and beanies in tow. For the lucky ones, they scored a seat on the ground or in the grandstand. Those not so lucky stood at the back on the platforms. Those wanting to get close to the action, brought cushions and rugs and sat track side in the ‘suicide seats’ just outside the safety zone. This is where the play comes crashing and sliding down on top of you!

I took my seat on the cold concrete ground, next to the player bench. The girls roll around the track effortlessly warming up. For them skating is second nature. Finely tuning their skills before the start of the bout. They are known only by there derby names, Kitty DeCapitate, Skate Bush, Smashen Pop, Kitty von Krusher to name a few. There uniforms are all different but matching with there own personal touch.





The atmosphere is intense, especially when you have thousands of people huddled around the short track. The teams form their final huddles before ‘Game On.’ As they take up their positions on the track the Hotrod Honeys look to have an impressive line up. But why wouldn’t they, the origins of derby stem back to America from 1930s. At the first whistle the battle begins. The Texans are fast and strong with chiseled abdominal muscles they are quick to tally their first points. There talent is incredible and the local girls put up a fight. The team’s fly past, around and around, they crash and bash and fall and fight. The crowd roars as they battle it out for 60 minutes.





When the final whistle sounds, the bout is over. The scoreboard shows only the result, but not the wonderful spectacle that has rolled out before us. The Texans have won, but it doesn’t matter, everyone had fun. The crowd swarms to the edge of the track to celebrate with the players on there victory lap, high fives all round. The place is left buzzing after this amazing display.

An electric sport like nothing you have every seen before. If you have never been to a derby bout I suggest you get to one soon. You wont regret it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Do you think it's possible to fly?

Do you think it's possible to fly? Of course it is! Have you ever wanted to fly? Well of course you have! Imagine soaring through the air. For a moment in time, you are weightless. Flying, no connection to the ground or anything for that matter!

Five meters off the ground, I stood on the platform, approximately eight inches wide. My left hand held the side post, the right held the flying swing. Staring directly ahead, I saw the 'cradle'. That's where I was going. My waist harness was fastened and I was ready to go.

Six months ago, after weeks of pondering, I signed up for flying trapeze school. This was one of the best ideas I had ever conjured up! Once a week for two hours, I'd join five others to learn trapeze tricks at Circus Oz. A fascinating class, the first I attended made me realise what a wonderful escape this was from the world. You really have to concentrate hard on what you're doing, right then and there. Listen and instruct your body, let go of fear and chuck the tricks.

After two terms Id build up quite a number of tricks that I could attempt, I was close to mastering a few but the most recent was the 'Alibaba'. Being quite an advanced trick, Id had a few attempts and I was getting closer and closer each time. The key to the Alibaba is a strong swing, height, power and as with most tricks getting the timing right. My classmate Julz had already succeeded twice on this trick tonight.

So there I was, on the platform, eyes fixed on the cradle. That's where I was going. Firing up I took the leap and launched onto the swing. Kicking my legs backward under the platform, then a tremendous beat forwards. I had the power in my swing. Reaching the top I took another swing backward, a strong beat, I had the height. The final beat forward with all my might. I thrust myself forward releasing my hands to fly forward. Soaring through the air the whole world stopped and I was flying. There I was sitting in mid air, I could see the cradle, closer than ever before. Arms outstretched I reached as far forward as possible.

SPLAAATTT! I hit the mats with the hardest thud. Splattered out like a pancake. I had missed. Again. I'll try again next week, in my last class for the term.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Need for Speed!

Up the ramp, across the roof, down the stairs, around the corner, through the gate and in through the little door in the corner, this place really was a secret headquarters. Grey clouds and rain had been threatening this cold winters day. As I made my way into the warehouse the cold air lingered, it was no warmer in here. I was embarking on a new adventure, into the world of roller derby. I was lucky enough to obtain one of 50 spots in the Victorian Roller Derby Leagues (VRDL) recreational training program, or as they called it the ‘wRECk crew.’

Just a few months ago I began my quest to be a derby player. I invested in a pair of skates. They were bargain from ebay. Part of the reason I had brought them was because they looked cool. Like sneakers, but with hot pink wheels.

As I newbie in the ‘derby world’ I understood that it would be a while before I would be good enough to bout. I’d heard a bit about the VRDL, a professional league, perhaps one of the best in Australia. Three teams that bout once a month. Together they also form a Victorian team to travel interstate and overseas all in the name of roller derby! Now that’s fun! This is not just girls on skates, this sport is intense. Firstly, to be selected into the league you must get through the try outs. This requires a fair amount of derby skills and fitness, then after months of training for several hours a week, if you’re good enough you will be selected into a team to bout.

So here I start. Skates on, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards – check, my helmet is fastened and my mouth guard in! The girls in the group are great chicks all at different skill and fitness levels. We learn to fall, stop and skate in different ways. In the skating drill I find myself flying around the track as fast as possible – its my 'need for speed' (build up through sprinting and bobsleigh). My brain warns me that I’m still very much, an armature. If I’m not careful Ill overbalance splattering all over the cold hard concrete floor. Thankfully I’m fortunate enough to avoid a date with the hard floor on this occasion, no doubt we will meet one day!

I leave the session feeling exhilarated, I have just tapped into another new passion. I am determined to play...watch this space.