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.