Why I Play Roller Derby -with- Grease Monkey

South Side GirlsSkater Spotlight, Why I Derby

32554639 10156464191892052 1969413694022483968 o

What is the backstory on your Derby Name?

The founders of SSRD gave it to me as they new I worked on cars for a living, but didn’t realize I paint them, and not a mechanic.

32488071 10156464187232052 8563396551718731776 o

What do you do when you aren’t playing derby.

I’m either working, riding my motorcycle or I’m out at the pool. Though I also spend a lot of time watching derby to learn new plays and moves.

12640396 10204980629867307 5150283877025291524 o

Why did you start derby?

I started out in derby in 2006 as a ref for South Side Roller Derby. Refed for a few years and then started training the Women’s Advanced Class. After about a year of that I wanted to play derby, and It all started with a men’s banked track team! Now I’m a founding member of Houston Men’s Roller Derby. I’m also the competitive team coach for South Side Jr Roller Derby.

295445 258437894174424 3661175 n

Has Your Why Changed?

Now I play derby for the love of the sport , the love of making friends that end up being an extended family and making friends from all over the world.

18595177 841689469332064 4807778376469194812 o

3 Things you’d like new skaters to know that are just starting roller derby training.

1. Don’t skimp yourself and buy cheap pads. They are what protect you and keep you in the game.

2.Sign up for a training class with different trainers, it helps you learn more and learn some things that you are struggling with as each trainer has a different way of coaching.

3. And finally don’t stress yourself out when trying to learn a new skill. It only makes the new skill that much harder to learn and get it down!.