“I get knocked down. But I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down. I get knocked down. But I get up again. You're never going to keep me down.” Chumbawamba.
These words reflect the perseverance, dedication and drive of our Feature Skater this month - Tower of Terror. Reach out to us now if you’re ready to give Derby a try!
What is your derby name?
Tower of Terror.
Please explain the inspiration and story behind your derby name:
A close friend came up with the name because I couldn’t think of anything.
What is your number?
73
Why did you choose it?
It was the year of my hubby’s Valiant Pacer.
These words reflect the perseverance, dedication and drive of our Feature Skater this month - Tower of Terror. Reach out to us now if you’re ready to give Derby a try!
What is your derby name?
Tower of Terror.
Please explain the inspiration and story behind your derby name:
A close friend came up with the name because I couldn’t think of anything.
What is your number?
73
Why did you choose it?
It was the year of my hubby’s Valiant Pacer.
Quote & Why?
I eat the little ones for breakfast – everyone is little to me and I do like to eat!
Describe what Roller Derby means to you?
It is the first sport I have ever been passionate about. I have participated in a huge amount of sports & activities growing up because I come from a very sporty family but I have never liked anything as much as derby.
How long have you been involved with Roller Derby?
I joined the May 2013 fresh meat intake, so just over three years.
Describe your first Bout?
Exhilarating – I even carried on playing after getting injured as I was having so much fun.
I eat the little ones for breakfast – everyone is little to me and I do like to eat!
Describe what Roller Derby means to you?
It is the first sport I have ever been passionate about. I have participated in a huge amount of sports & activities growing up because I come from a very sporty family but I have never liked anything as much as derby.
How long have you been involved with Roller Derby?
I joined the May 2013 fresh meat intake, so just over three years.
Describe your first Bout?
Exhilarating – I even carried on playing after getting injured as I was having so much fun.
Which team do you play for Twisted Sisters/Iron Maidens?
I am a Twisted Sister.
What is your position of choice?
I prefer blocking but have been giving jamming a go recently and have found it a lot of fun so I will keep trying that too.
What is your skate gear of choice?
I am still using my trusty sure-grip Rebel skates that I purchased during fresh meat over 3 years ago but I have upgraded my knee pads to TSG, wrist guards to Smith Pro Stabilisers and elbows to 187’s. It is definitely on my to-do list to look at new skates.
Do you have a pre-bout ritual?
Only to make sure that I have eaten enough so I don’t get hungry when bouting
I am a Twisted Sister.
What is your position of choice?
I prefer blocking but have been giving jamming a go recently and have found it a lot of fun so I will keep trying that too.
What is your skate gear of choice?
I am still using my trusty sure-grip Rebel skates that I purchased during fresh meat over 3 years ago but I have upgraded my knee pads to TSG, wrist guards to Smith Pro Stabilisers and elbows to 187’s. It is definitely on my to-do list to look at new skates.
Do you have a pre-bout ritual?
Only to make sure that I have eaten enough so I don’t get hungry when bouting
What do you think about when you're lacing up your skates?
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!
What has been your best derby moment?
Doing an amazing sweep of the opposition to let my jammer past and being awarded “Best Blocker” for it during a Sur5al fresh meat bout.
How did you get involved with roller derby?
I tagged along to watch my sister Blonde Moment train with her team, the Whenua Fatales.
What if any are the challenges that comes with being involved in this sport?
Not losing your mojo when you are injured and not letting it get to you if you don’t master a skill the first time you try.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!
What has been your best derby moment?
Doing an amazing sweep of the opposition to let my jammer past and being awarded “Best Blocker” for it during a Sur5al fresh meat bout.
How did you get involved with roller derby?
I tagged along to watch my sister Blonde Moment train with her team, the Whenua Fatales.
What if any are the challenges that comes with being involved in this sport?
Not losing your mojo when you are injured and not letting it get to you if you don’t master a skill the first time you try.
Can you talk a bit about your Freshmeat (first year) year and how you learned to play roller derby?
I ended up doing fresh-meat training twice as I had an ankle injury at a skating boot camp in early 2014 and was off skates for some time. The second time around was more about regaining fitness and my confidence but I found it great for nailing some of the skills that hadn’t come easy first time around.
What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby?
Don’t hesitate – sign up now, you won’t regret it.
Who are your derby heroes?
The uncoordinated, the wheezy and the repeatedly injured! Every skater that falls into any of those categories at any time yet gets up and keeps on going, they’re my heroes.
How would you describe your derby playing style?
Haphazard
I ended up doing fresh-meat training twice as I had an ankle injury at a skating boot camp in early 2014 and was off skates for some time. The second time around was more about regaining fitness and my confidence but I found it great for nailing some of the skills that hadn’t come easy first time around.
What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby?
Don’t hesitate – sign up now, you won’t regret it.
Who are your derby heroes?
The uncoordinated, the wheezy and the repeatedly injured! Every skater that falls into any of those categories at any time yet gets up and keeps on going, they’re my heroes.
How would you describe your derby playing style?
Haphazard
What is your pre-derby sports/skating background?
During my school years I did athletics, long distance running, played hockey and hated it all. My only skating experience was skating up and down my nana’s very short driveway during school holidays.
What tips would you share with skaters looking to improve their jamming/blocking skills?
Watch your fellow skaters, ask them for tips, go to boot camps, and watch the online videos that are available. Then practice, practice, practice.
What are some of your greatest roller derby accomplishments on the track?
There have been lots of great moments but I am hoping the best is yet to come.
Do you have any upcoming bouts that you’re really excited for and why?
No upcoming TS bouts but plenty of Iron Maiden ones that I will be watching and learning from.
During my school years I did athletics, long distance running, played hockey and hated it all. My only skating experience was skating up and down my nana’s very short driveway during school holidays.
What tips would you share with skaters looking to improve their jamming/blocking skills?
Watch your fellow skaters, ask them for tips, go to boot camps, and watch the online videos that are available. Then practice, practice, practice.
What are some of your greatest roller derby accomplishments on the track?
There have been lots of great moments but I am hoping the best is yet to come.
Do you have any upcoming bouts that you’re really excited for and why?
No upcoming TS bouts but plenty of Iron Maiden ones that I will be watching and learning from.
How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
I feel that I participate in life more fully now. I am not just standing on the sideline wishing I was doing more. I help coach kid’s roller derby and I am the current Treasurer. I would never have imagined doing these things before.
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since starting?
I am fitter and more confident which is fantastic.
What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby?
I work as a Client Liaison for Design Builders & have financial/accounts experience so this has helped with my derby committee responsibilities but is a completely separate entity from skating which I think is a good thing.
How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life?
A good part of my life is taken up with derby commitments but when I have needed to step back & concentrate on other things, my derby team mates have stepped up to take some of the load from me. I think the main thing is to never be afraid to ask for help.
Is there anyone that you would like to send a special thank you to?
My wonderful husband Eddy who always acts like I am the best skater on the track.
I feel that I participate in life more fully now. I am not just standing on the sideline wishing I was doing more. I help coach kid’s roller derby and I am the current Treasurer. I would never have imagined doing these things before.
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since starting?
I am fitter and more confident which is fantastic.
What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby?
I work as a Client Liaison for Design Builders & have financial/accounts experience so this has helped with my derby committee responsibilities but is a completely separate entity from skating which I think is a good thing.
How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life?
A good part of my life is taken up with derby commitments but when I have needed to step back & concentrate on other things, my derby team mates have stepped up to take some of the load from me. I think the main thing is to never be afraid to ask for help.
Is there anyone that you would like to send a special thank you to?
My wonderful husband Eddy who always acts like I am the best skater on the track.
