Week 2

This week was a revalation to me! All of sudden this skating thingamy has gelled. Now that's not to say I rock, but I can certainly skate forwards fairly comfortably, my 'crossovers' (crossing one foot in front of the other whilst skating) are improving, my transitions (swapping from skating forwards to backwards in one move) suck. Actually, I can't really skate backwards at all... I pretty much just try and move myself backwards by sheer will-power. Not very effective!

I'm starting to get to know some of the other Fresh Meat chickens and it's compelling seeing the different skill levels.

Des is reassuringly at a similar (none) skill level to me.... Beth is the bestest backwards skater I know...

and my friend and neighbour Hanita gets grumpy is a fast and clever blocker!

I'm at that place where I want to get my own wheels... the skates I'm borrowing definitely have a mind of their own but I'm determined not to be that gal that buys all the gear then gives it up!

Guess who I met? Fellow Freshie Chloe also lives in Ballarat Blogland, Huzzah!

Fresh Meat

Ok, I have finally done it! I am now officially a freshie, I am scrabbling and slipping and waving my arms madly but I'm on wheels.

Last week saw me signing up for the new intake of the Ballarat Roller derby League Fresh meat programme. Valiantly hosted by the madame of the league Seven Lux my first session was, well, not quite hell on wheels but a close second.

I sweated, I panted, I flailed in the most ungainly fashion and I blew all my misconceptions that maybe, deep down inside me, somewhere, was a natural skater bursting to get out!

I wasn't alone though. Out of an intake of around 15 of us the skill level was extremely disparate. Whilst I got to grips with staying upright, some were whizzing around like well, really whizz things, mainly women who (I'm proud and chuffed to see it!) had a few years on me! Awesome!

As we were taken through the drills, stops, crossover-thingys, and manoeuvrability, slowly over the session I stopped feeling tense and started to enjoy myself! And now, you know what? I reckon I'm hooked! Sure, initially it's the awesome costumes, alter egos, attitude and the thrill of the jam that appealed to me but know what? This skating-jazz is fun!

Needless to say there was little time for photo-taking, that sort of multi-tasking is waaaay beyond my capabilities right now, but stay tuned for some shots of the Freshies in action!

Check out the linkys in the sidebar for more info on the Ballarat Roller Derby League, tickets for the Derbytante Brawl on Nov 29th and to see my article in the upcoming Thaw mag you can subscribe via the link.