So the only time I’ve ever skated, I was about 8 years
old and went with vacation care. I don’t think I’ve ever tried and failed
so hard at anything since. The next day, I felt agony like I’d never felt
before. I remember coming out of my room screaming and unable to lower my arms.
It seemed all the grabs for the railing left my arms shredded. My mother
laughed of course, as I’d never had sore muscles before and was positive
I was dying.
21 years later, I’ve made a not-so-secret pact with
myself that I will, at all costs, be a Derby girl. So last Saturday my friend
(who also intends to learn) and step-daughter headed out to our first ‘Star
Class’ at the local rink. $8 entry, $3 skates, couldn’t go wrong!
That was, until we entered what looked like a swarming
village of small children. Tiny people all around going extremely fast, and I’d
be lying if I said my heart didn’t sink a little. I somehow thought
adults still tried to be cool? Seemingly not, judging by the coffee-swilling
packs of mothers seated all around. I felt SO uncool. What adults were there,
were speeding past at break-neck speed. I strapped on my skates, and then the
thought occurred to me. How the fuck am I going to stand up in these? My friend
who swore she “couldn’t skate” miraculously seemed to speed
merrily away, leaving me at the bench, wondering how to get to the rail without
making a complete arse of myself.
Well, nothing both brutal and amazing ever happened to a
benchwarmer so I psyched myself up to ignore everyone and stand on my own 8
wheels. UP! Now. TO THE RAIL! Gingerly, doesn’t even come close to how I
approached the next hour of rail holding and trying to remain upright on these
disastershoes. After a short burst of confidence, I’d realise I was going
too fast with no bail plan and grab desperately for the railing leaving my legs
and wheels to continue after me. Then, I slowly made my way out onto the rink.
(Yes I was skating outside the rink). What I found was not only was I having
the time of my life, I was drenched in sweat; not so much from physical
exertion (it’s impossible when you’re travelling that slow) but
from CONCENTRATING! My mind was on fire, I was more focussed than I’ve
been in years! I dared myself a new dare every time I went round don’t
grab for the rail at all this lap, bend your knees and skate faster, try and
snow plow stop. I headed out at the end of the session high as a metal kite,
but not without sneaking a lustful glance at the derby skates on the shelf begging
to be mine.
My friend and I were hooked, we had to knowlearnsmash derby.
I’d told myself, if I showed any signs of being able to skate, that would
be it, I’d join roller derby. I passed my own test :)
My biggest concerns about derby, not as much the injuries,
but my weight. I’m 100kg’s at the moment, not exactly the ideal weight
for impact sports (or anything for that matter, except cuddling). I’ve
been lucky in my build as I’m also 6ft, so I don’t look like the
weight I am. Well, not entirely. I’m doing this to play team sport
because I LOVE and MISS it, to get fit in a way that is more sustainable than
the boredom and jerks I hate at the gym, and because well, I’m part
islander which means I’m physically destined for contact sport. But mostly because I’m
in awe of the girls who do it, and wonder if they’d ever be my friend
being so fiercely divine as they are. I’ve watched everything I can on
youtube and read all the stuffnthings and forums and reviews and its decided!
And so here I am, writing a blog about it, perhaps because I’ve
read a few of the derby blogs and realised that my big girl experience that
might be of use to other women who want to smash their way to physical freedom.
Because derby already made me feel more comfortable with my body, and I haven’t
even played yet!
Tryouts in 2 months, buying my skates on the 15th
May and then.......SKATE EVERY DAY UNTIL I CANT MOVE!
