This week, I got to feel like a Bad. Ass. Two of my friends and I went to the Savannah Derby Devils Roller Derby bootcamp. For those of you who aren't sure what roller derby is, think Ellen Page in Drew Barrymore's film Whip It. Basically girls on skates knocking each other around and skating super fast around and around, trying to score points by getting through the mob or "pack" of girls on the other team as they try to bump, block and basically decapitate you. At camp, they geared us up (I'm talking kneepads, elbow pads, and wrist guards) and taught us different ways to fall (the one knee, 180 degree being my fav!) and different ways to skate (ski, self-propel, crossover, scissor, one-footed glides).
This experience has made me totally appreciate this sport, and I can't wait to go watch some of their "bouts" (aka games) at the Savannah Civic Center. I think it's awesome that the Civic Center is doing this, and I REALLY think these girls are awesome. The sport combines all-out toughness, pin-up girl prettiness, and a sense of female camaraderie that is truly impressive. And not all of these girls are ex-athletes--they come in all shapes, sizes, and heights and all walks of life: there is an Art History Professor, a publisher, and a writer (among others, but these are the ones I remember because they are all things I would love to do--well, an English professor, not Art History, but still). You can tell they love each other, have a lot of fun together, and are truly committed to this sport and in a lot of ways, empowering women.
They offer the bootcamp annually, and tryouts are on May 31st. For more information, go to: http://www.savannahderby.com/
Today's Ehow articles:
How to Write a Paper on Setting
How to Know Who You May Count On