Why I Skate: Bam Bam McCha-Cha

Why I Play – Bam Bam McCha Cha

Why did I join Dominion Derby Girls, you ask? Well, to be honest I was a little scared to be a derby girl at first. I was sort of apprehensive because getting beaten up and pummeled was not high on my priority list. I still had the old memories of watching Roller Derby on T.V. back in the 70’s when I was a little kid,; memories of girls (and guys) aggressively clothes-lining, stomping, shoving, and kicking one another. Not to mention seeing those derby folks careening through the air and spinning around the rails only to fall into the heckling crowd was frightening. Hmmm? On the other hand, I was also eerily fascinated and intrigued by the action and mayhem which lured me into becoming a Sunday morning Roller Derby junkie; just me watching alone, while my parents continued their Sunday morning routine… I digress, but as I was saying , I was a chicken when I was first approached to do Roller Derby . Being a spectator was easier, safer., but remembering the fast paced excitement and how awesome they all looked skating around like speed demons crashing and hitting one another to get the jammer through was alluring.

So in comes Jan Rosser with a great idea for all of us, “hey guys I think we all should check out this Roller Derby thing my friend Billy is trying to promote.” I look at her and said, “what… Roller Derby, here in Norfolk?” Her retort, “yeah, I think it’ll be fun, let’s all try it. They‘re going to be skating at Kempsville on Thursday, we‘ll just show up and see what it‘s about and if we don‘t like it we can leave.” All right, fair enough, we can at least see what’s going on, I am kind of curious. So that Thursday Tabatha, Missy, Jan , and I get into Jan’s Honda and trek our way to the rink to see what’s going on. All four of us were on the same wave length that night because we were wearing something 70’s roller disco without even consulting each other, I think it was because we’re cool like that. We enter the rink and sneakily spy on the girls “practicing”, by the way, this was done during Kempsville’s open skate, there was nothing official or regimented about this practice. Not a helmet nor protective pad in sight, well maybe a few girls did have wrist guards, but that was it. We skate around the rink trying to look as if we were just there by happenstance at this “open skate” to skate, not to join roller derby. And Billy comes up, “ so, are you girls here for Roller Derby?” “ Um, yeah, sure, we’re just checking it out.” Next thing I know we’re doing some sort of weaving drill and then did a few hip bumps. I was frightened, but I did it anyway. It wasn’t so bad. “Come next door with us after practice,” they offered.

Afterwards, we went to meet the girls formally at a Mexican restaurant, Jan, Tab Missy, and I were mulling over this Roller Derby thing with some margaritas. The first person that I met was Mother Jugs and it was her 22nd birthday . A majority of the girls there were in their early 20’s, whereas, the four of us (Jan, Tab, Missy, and I) were in our mid 30’s, I thought damn, I think I might be too old for this. When they asked me if I was joining, I tried to use the age thing as an excuse. We have people in their 40’s skating, you’re not too old, they cooed convincingly. Jan looks at us and said, “come on, we’ll just show up and have fun, you’ve got to admit, that was fun.” She was right, it was fun and I liked it. Anyways, I needed something to get me back into shape because I had had a baby the previous year and was feeling lumpy. Not to mention, I got the chance to hang tough with my bff’s with skates on my feet. All right I’ll do it. Before I knew it we were in it. The four of us concocted our derby names within a matter of weeks: I became Bam Bam McCha~Cha, Jan became Traylor Crash, Tabatha became Holly Go Bite Me, and Missy became Suicide Barbie. From then on we started attending practice. We were officially Roller Derby Girls. I was even successful with recruiting 3 more of my bff’s to join in on the Roller Derby fun (the beautiful Pachuca Loca, Asian Chow Down, and Becca the Wrecka).

Those first few months were quite humorous. The league was just starting out, the Roller Derby concept was so new to EVERYONE, we weren’t even sure how to play the game. We shared practices with a children’s speed skating team to get some semblance of direction, but we still needed guidance . Seriously, everything was super rag tag and I always heard stuff like, what do you mean get in a diamond formation, using your elbows is a penalty, I thought you were supposed to make a dogpile for showmanship, when do I get to wear a cute costume ??????????????????? My how things have changed. Thanks to the hard work and research by some very dedicated and driven league members (The Ruffian and Mother Jugs) we started to shape up our act. Jan became our league president when leadership got a little hairy. Also, a very instrumental and pivotal transplant from the Tucson Roller Derby graciously shared all of her Derby knowledge giving us a chance to get this Roller Derby thing done right (thank you Sweet and Lowdown, I am forever grateful). Wowee, now this was getting serious. Months went by it’s coming together.

We were training like real athletes and had our own rink time. Finally, Haygood took a chance and gave us an opportunity. We were figuring out strategy and planning our bouts. I got the rush and the fever. I learned how to a hit a girl hard, real hard. We were getting good . After more hard work by league members we were accepted into WFTDA, a national organization that regulates and sanctions our sport. Roller Derby was no longer a spectacle, but a real honest to goodness athletic sport. I was given the opportunity to travel with my team: Vegas, Philly, Baltimore, Long Island. How exciting. A concussion, abrasions, two messed up thumbs, a black eye, and a busted bursa, this is Roller Derby. This is real and I’m a part of it. Almost three years later and I’m still skating.

I would of never thought in a million years that I would say, I’m in Roller Derby or I do Derby. It has become such an important part of my identity. It speaks about who I am. I am tough and strong. I love the sisterhood and how all of my bff’s and I could participate in a full contact team sport. I love all of the new friends that I have made through Roller Derby (some of whom are now old friends).

Most of my friends had to move away from derby, be it life or injury that keeps them at bay, despite that, the experiences will be with us forever. I miss Jan, the one who started it all. Sadly, she lost her battle to cancer two years ago and never had the chance to play in a bout. I miss her spunk and spirit; but the fortunate thing is that I am able to take a bit of Jan’s spirit to every bout that I play in: the spirit to keep on going no matter what, the spirit to work together with my team, the spirit to have fun. Thanks Jan, it was you who gave me the cojones to do it. I <3 Roller Derby and I <3 Jan Rosser.

Top 10 Derby Questions

Top 10 Derby Questions

10. Ah. So you Rollerblade?
We actually skate with quad roller derby skates. Referees have the option to use inline skates, but are strongly encouraged to use quads instead.

9. Don’t you need dyed hair and tattoo’s to play roller derby?
Many of our skaters are “normal” looking with natural hair color and some are clean slates (so to speak). During the East Coast Derby Extravaganza earlier this year, there was a Challenge bout called Tats vs No-Tats. I think Tats won, though. I could be wrong.

8. Where / how do you practice?
We practice at Haygood Skating Center 1036 Ferry Plantation Road Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 460-1138. Practices usually consist of drills, endurance, scrimmaging, and speed.

7. So do ever get thrown over the rail?!
The Dominion Derby Girls are a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association(WFTDA) http://www.wftda.com/ We skate on a flat surface as opposed to a banked track. So no, we don’t get thrown over a rail, but we do, occasionally, land in the crowd.

6. DO YOU GET TO CLOTHES LINE PEOPLE?
As per WFTDA rules, infractions such as “clothes lining” or “throwing elbows” are prohibited and will get you sent directly to the penalty box; or even worse, ejection from the bout.

5. Do you ever get into fights with the other girls?
Fighting is an automatic ejection for all participants and may result in a suspension (WFTDA rule 6.2.14)

4. Doesn’t that hurt? /Don’t you get hurt?
Roller Derby girls are constantly practicing. We practice falling, hitting, tripping, and stopping so that when we do happen to get hit really hard or fall really bad, our muscle memory takes over and we fall in the correct way as so not to hurt ourselves. We also wear the required padding: helmets, mouth guards, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Occasionally, some girls will succumb to an injury, but with the skill levels increasing, the tendency of those occurrences are decreasing.

3. I didn’t know they had that around here.
Well we’re glad you know now!

2. Are you serious? Do people still do that?
Yes and Yes! Roller Derby is the fastest growing sport in the Nation with coverage from CNN, ESPN, USAToday, MSNBC, NPR, and other respected media outlets, not to mention numerous books and even a movie in production directed by Drew Barrymore.

And the Number One answer we most likely get is:
I use to watch that on Saturday mornings when I was a kid!
Now’s the time to go and watch your local Roller Derby League bout on a Saturday or Sunday night! Support your local Roller Girl and especially The Dominion Derby Girls!!!

Wanna Date a Derby Girl? Follow the Rules!

*RULES TO LIVE BY IF YOU WANT TO DATE A ROLLER GIRL*

These are rules for guys to live by if you want to date a roller girl. This will avoid alot of false hope and arguements/team break-ups.

1. Men cannot compete with derby, you will always be sloppy seconds! Derby will always have her first.
2. She will never have “plans” with you. She will only have plans with derby and will only hang out when convenient. Your “plans” will be dropped for anything derby.
3. You are there to work out any frustrations. Derby leagues get into spats sometimes. Lucky for you there is a lot of frustration in roller derby.
4. Do not start talking about trying to take a vacation with her. She will immediately go into panic mode and start to think you are trying to take derby practice away from her. Vacation is only permissable in cities with other roller derbies. In such instances, you must entertain yourself as they skate. Go hide in the corner of the bar with the other derby widows, while the girls party and stay up all night talking derby with the new friends she made.
5. Don’t try to be the “manager”; do not try to get involved with derby business, that is only for the roller girl.
6. Don’t ask her teamates for relationship advise.
7. Don’t complain because your ( insert holiday here) date gets canceled because a bout has been scheduled. Holidays are no longer yours, even Valentines Day.
8. It’s not mandatory that you are at every bout.
9. Do not get jealous when your rollergirl talks to groupies. They are the ones buying tickets, beer, and merchandise, not you, so let them have there time. And remember, you get to go home with her!
10. Babies don’t make roller girls quit derby.
11. No the league doesn’t want you to travel with them.
12. Don’t make the following introduction, ” Hi I’m _____ and my roller girl is ______”
13. Don’t follow her around at bouts like a puppy, she is taking care of business. Find your own crowd.
12. Don’t go to league practice, and its normal to have them more than once a week.
13. Don’t stand in front of your rollergirl while she is skating, looking at her like she’s the greatest skater in the world. She’s liable to take you out.
14. Do not change your favorite team based on the type of rollergirl you date. Going from team to team just shows your not your own individual.
15. When she calls you when she is out on the road, don’t complain about when she is coming home. Consider yourself lucky that she even called you instead of spending the quarter on food or gas.
16. Never say anything negative about your roller girls league if you can’t say it to her. It will always come back to bite you in the ass.
17. If your dating a roller girl that wears a short skirt… she works it on the track. So, not only you will be able to see her Victorias Secrets.
18. Never cause a fight before your roller girl plays a bout. Relationship problems can be dealt with after the bout.
19. If they have a bout out of town, don’t drive just so you and your roller girl can have “alone time” or want to “talk”.
20. You cannot drink on your roller girls tab, buy your own!
21. Keep the derby seperate from your everyday life. That’s your roller girls passion, find your own.