Why I love Roller Derby

I joined my first roller derby team in February of this year. I had only been threatening to do it for 5 years....and I love it. I am not very good, I will never be a pro, but I love it. Why?

  • Camaraderie- This is a team of like minded, strong willed women. They are interesting, they are fearless and they do not fuck around. All of this I love. I like being part of their team, and part of this group.
  • Body Positive- It doesn't matter if you're small or large, it does matter if you're strong and fit. I spent years trying to pretend that running was for me, it wasn't. Derby on the other hand allows me to use my "assets" to my advantage! I have always been a very strong woman, but not a very lithe one...I love the fact that everyone is accepted and encouraged to be a part of derby.
  • Learning Skills- Derby is hard. 100%. It's hard to learn how to skate backwards, turn around, jumping, and hitting. Hitting is hard, literally and figuratively :)
  • No room for pansies- there's an expression "there's no sorry in roller derby", people hit hard, and they don't take it personally. You're there, you're present, you're kicking ass. It's the perfect stress reliever. 

And you can call me Roncesvillain #504. 

PersonalKim Phelan