Roller Derby, My Pivotal Moment

wildwoodrollers
Nov 23, 2014
2 min read

One day I realized that I was living a fairly sedentary life, which is very different than my childhood when I roller skated 6 days a week, water skied, scuba dived, snow skied, and generally was always on the go. Life happened: I gained 90 pounds and 20 years. I swear all I did was blink. Then a moment happened that changed my life. I received a simple forward from a friend…

Adrina Becker January 16 hey Suzi look... roller derby team!

I had looked into Roller Derby previously, but it was not feasible for me to join a team over an hour away. But the Wild Wood Rollers? In my area? I knew nothing about Roller Derby, but I knew I could skate. What more could I need? Finally, something that would help me to be active.

I LAUGH at my naivety! Oh the active part came alright, but I needed much more than the knowledge of how to skate. I had to face fears, skate hard, and overcome my biggest obstacle-- MYSELF. In the process I have gained so much. I truly gained more self-confidence and another family. Together we have worked to bring knowledge to our roller derby virgin community and gain support along with new skaters.

We had to find a practice location that would be large enough for our track. We had a small roller rink where were learning skills, but needed a location that would fit a WFTDA regulation track. In a small community it was not an easy task to find a building that was empty and big enough to accommodate us. The day we were approved for our present practice location, I could hear the Heavens opening and the angels singing.

Practice then got intense: learning the game, learning how to hit, playing in league scrimmages, learning strategy, and gaining endurance.

That dang 90 pounds and 20 years? Does not matter in this world. No one cares about my age. No one cares how much I weigh. (Believe me I try to remind them, but they won’t listen to me) I push myself with girls that are young enough to be my daughters. They make me better, not just on the track, not just physically, but mentally.

Through this league, I have learned to be true to myself, stand up for myself, and to be confident in who I am and who I am becoming. I push myself to be better than I was yesterday. Roller Derby is not just a game. That simple Facebook forward has become a defining moment in my life, and I know that I will be skating into my future.