#rollerderbyref

[bikesbitsandbobs]

Nice to actually watch a game for a change rather than ref it! #brightonrockersrollerderby @brightonrockers #rollerderbyref #rollerderby #skate (at The Dolphin Leisure Centre)

[geogrefer]

About me....and what this blog is about

For those of you reading this blog and want to know more about me and my journey....man is this the post for you!

As the description says I am a devoted father of 3 wonderful, energetic and intelligent children and going through a huge transition in my life. About two years ago I started exercising on a regular basis to lose weight (lost 65 lbs in about 11 months) and really started to enjoy running. I always have been into different outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, camping and things like that and I am always looking to expand my horizons. I started playing pick-up soccer, even though I hadn’t played soccer since third grade, with a group located near Buffalo. I had a lot of fun with it. One of the big draws of soccer for me is the sportsmanship that is exhibited after the games. You spend 90+ minutes trying to beat the other team but at the end of it all, you shake hands with your opponents, have a laugh and a beer (if that’s your bag).

In August I met someone who played roller derby and she invited me to a bout in September. That is what a game is called in roller derby. I’ll get more into what roller derby is and what it’s about in the 2nd blog post. I was skeptical. My only experience with roller derby was catching it on TV at some point in my teenage years. It was on a banked track (like in the movie Whip It) and the action resembled WWE on skates. It seemed staged and not something that I was into.

HOLY SHIT WAS I WRONG! 

After the bout, I had a ton of questions and I was hooked. The skill that these people (the ladies and the refs) showed on their skates amazed me. And they had cool names!  Cool names were the best because I am a video gamer and I have spent many nights admiring clever gamertags that have shown up while playing on Xbox Live.  Names like Doris the Daymolisher, Jenna Jammerson, Dr. Shanibel Lechter, Dreaded Medic, Ware N Tear, Dana Scullcrusher, L-bo , LegenDBarry, Slaughter Melon, Hellvis, Tennesee Frisky, Jennetics, BackStabbath, and Milfhouse....just to name 2 or 14.

On top of the names, I had no idea moves like that could be pulled on quad skates. And this wasn’t even the upper echelon of roller derby. This was a local league. After attending a few more bouts and growing my knowledge base of the game....I asked her the fateful question: “How much do you need to know about skating to get into roller derby and are refs needed?”  Her answer: “Most people I started fresh meat with couldn’t even stand on skates and refs are always needed. There always seems to be a shortage. You should try it.”

Another thing about roller derby that I find awesome is how they beat on each other for 60 minutes and then after the game each team takes a lap while fans and the opposing team lines up to give high fives to each other. Which, just like soccer, shows an amazing level of sportsmanship.

I took the plunge on a cheap pair of beginner skates in November.....and that is where my journey to fresh meat, and eventually, the zebra herd begins.   

[drewedecimaul]

More reffing

Reffed at a home league scrim today. Still didn't make any calls. Again there was a specific moment where I probably should have called a cut but didn't. Again kicking myself. On the plus side, I did spot a bunch of penalties but refs that were closer to the actions made the calls. Happy that I saw them though. Also I did some out of play calls and my zebramom said she was impressed by how shouty I was. So that's a thing. And it was my league's first time seeing me in stripes and I got some compliments :-)

[drewedecimaul]

Got my first proper ref shirt to celebrate my recent decision to go full-time zebra for the time being :-) Now to up my game so I feel like I actually deserve to wear it!