March 2018: Skater of the Month
Photo credit: Thorpeland Photography
Dudley #10, The Slaughterers
What prompted you to get involved in roller derby?
When I was first introduced to derby I came to a DDD home team season game with a friend. I remember watching Anita Riot and Postal Penny and being like wow, those are some strong women! Afterwards I knew I wanted to try to play but it didn’t happen till 2 years later. It took a long time to get the courage as someone who had never skated before, but I went and bought my rookie skate package and never looked back. It was by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and now I get to play with some of those girls that I admired so many years ago!
Do you have a favorite derby memory?
My favorite roller derby memory is 2016 B team champs in Atlanta. I had never been to a tournament with that many big name teams and getting to play against some of the players I had fan girled over watching derby on the WFTDA archives was a dream!. It was also my first tournament with DDD and I feel like I made so many friends that trip, twas a delight!
What's the most rewarding aspect of playing the game?
The most rewarding aspect of playing derby is that you will quickly realize that you are going to be faced with a lot of challenges and sometimes it feels like you’ll never be able to get over the obstacles. Its frustrating, but you just keep working at it, you keep failing and trying and repeating. And then one day you figure it out, and this thing that seemed impossible is all of a sudden normal. It teaches you how strong your spirit can be and the reward is confidence to go after life knowing you can do anything you want as long as you keep fighting.
A big misconception is that all derby players are "tough broads" and not at all feminine. What would you tell them?
I feel like the biggest misconception is that you can’t be a tough broad and also feminine! I skate with some of the toughest people I have ever met and every single one of them embodies what it is in my mind to be feminine, which is doing what you want with confidence and being and doing whatever the heck makes you feel beautiful and whole. There is no misconception for me, because tough broad and feminine are one in the same in my eyes.
If you could choose one skill in roller derby to perfect in an hour, what would it be and why?
EDGE WORK!!!! All I want in skating life is a good clean cut from the inside or outside!
If you could go back and talk to yourself as a newbie skater, what advice would you give her?
If I could go back and talk to myself as a newb I think I would remind me to be kind to myself. Oftentimes in this sport it is easy to see so many talented skaters and get disheartened. But it’s important when you are new to embrace the fact that you’ve got a lot to learn and there is no need to beat yourself up about it. You are going to get there, if you keep working hard you are going to get there, be kind to yourself and enjoy the damn journey.