February 2017: Skater of the Month

Photo courtesy of Duane Baker Photography

BOURBON BARBIE #16, DEATH ROW RUMBLERS

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR DERBY NAME?

When I went to try out for derby I had no idea what my chances of making it were. I didn’t want to make a big investment just for tryouts so I went to Dick’s sporting goods and bought some Barbie skates to try out in. During tryouts everyone called me Barbie because of my skates. Afterwards we went out and everyone discovered my love for Whiskey/ Bourbon and then my name, Bourbon Barbie was born.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE SKILL IN ROLLER DERBY TO PERFECT IN AN HOUR, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I would love to have the perfect apex jump in an hour!

A BIG MISCONCEPTION IS THAT ALL DERBY PLAYERS ARE “TOUGH BROADS” AND NOT AT ALL FEMININE. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES THAT?

You should see how amazing everyone looks at our awards banquet!

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO YOURSELF AS A NEWBIE SKATER, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE HER?

Don’t tell people you want to be a jammer. Haha, just kidding! (sort of) I would say to take the time to learn the game and play as many jams as you can, because it does get easier to process the more you play. The game is much faster while you are skating than it appears as a spectator. If you lose your head for a second it could cause a lot of problems, for both you and your team.

WHAT POSITION ARE YOU MOST COMFORTABLE PLAYING?

I have been a Jammer since day one, so that is really all I know!