Bootcamps and birthday cakes

Saturday saw an early wake-up and a trip to my league's new home out in the West of Auckland for the Brutal Beauty Bootcamp, hosted by Rose City Rollers players Scratcher in the Eye and Mel Mangles. I was nervous about signing up for a whole day of skating, but figured that the opportunity to learn from a couple of Wheels of Justice players was too good to pass up!

First off, having two tracks to work on and a floor that is smooth, clean and doesn't have puddles on it is a revelation. I'm so excited about our new venue and what this means for the league, both for bouts and for trainings. Given the number of new skaters coming through this year, the extra space is going to make all the difference. It's really exciting to be a part of it.

At the climbing wall, Wednesday night. 

Unfortunately, my ankle decided that I would only be a small part of the weekend. I knew I wouldn't be able to wring a whole weekend out of it but I had hoped I could go a whole day. It started hurting about 2 hours in and sadly by lunchtime I was done. I stayed on to learn what I could from the sidelines but it was hard not to be disappointed as I watched my friends learn some totally rad blocks and hitting techniques while I sat and tried not to freak out at the weird clicking feeling I got every time I moved my foot.

I apologise for going on about my ankle so much, I know it's been like 5 months or something since the accident and I had really hoped I'd be over all this by now and it wouldn't be an issue. The fact that I can go freakin' rock climbing for two hours and have it be OK (not great, but I busted out a grade 16 with little trouble so definitely OK), but can't skate for much longer than that a few days later makes wild optimism hard to maintain. I'm still waiting for a date for my operation to remove some of the hardware, but how much of a difference can it make? I talked to Biff Curtains, a Mascara skater who did something very similar to her ankle just before our opening game of the season and she said it was still giving her problems with flexibility, and she's got a good few months on me in terms of recovery. Just have to be patient I guess.

MaRollin' Monroe!

Anyway, the time I DID spend on the rink was incredibly useful. Scratcher and Mel are the kind of coaches who draw you in with their enthusiasm and they were great to work with. I picked up a bunch of new techniques, ideas and drills that I'll be rolling out for my work with the fresh meat program this year, not to mention ideas to improve my own practice! (Hinge blocks! Spins! Backwards skating pacelines!) Just need to keep plugging away at what I can do and stretching myself just enough on skates so I can be bout ready as soon as I can.

This evening the other league in these here parts, Auckland Roller Derby League, had a fundraising showing of the film made about Rose City's 2009 season, Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers. It was great to catch up with them again (especially my old fresh meat training partner/friendly competition Peku Lemu) and watch a film that did a great job of encapsulating the derby experience in a couple of hours. It brought home to me how derby's themes of competition, passion, bonding and positivity are universal. The women who told their stories on screen could easily have been skaters I've met from NZ, Australia, the UK, or anywhere. There's a lot to be said about the strength that this sport brings to those who embrace it, and Brutal Beauty says them eloquently. I recommend you check it out if you can!

Rattie with skate cake!

I turned up at the showing and was making my way to the cake pops and popcorn (to see Peku, promise) when two of my trainees from the recent fresh meat intake came over,  told me to stay where I was as they had something to give me. They came back with the awesomest ROLLER SKATE CAKE, bright green with purple wheels and licorice laces. I was absolutely blown away (and a bit confused). In the accompanying card, they said it was to celebrate my anniversaries and to say thank you for being a "true inspiration" (I'm tearing up a little just re-reading the card). I don't cry easily, but to be thought of in such high regard that I was deemed cake-worthy was really something. Mel Mangles has a great picture of the three of us (and the cake) so once I get it I'll post it but I'd like to say a real special thank you to Rainbow Crash and Starsong for their extremely kind words and gesture. The cake was appropriately devoured by everyone at the screening (so delicious) and there was even a bit left for the rats when I got home!

I'm ending the weekend feeling really positive about derby. The people I've met and the things I've done and seen have reminded me why I'm not quitting, even though there's a good argument for me to do so. I'm still unsure of how far I want (or am physically able) to take my skating this year, but I really want it to remain a part of my life as more than just a fan!