The Violent Femmes are the dirtiest girl gang around. They’re a rowdy, high-energy bunch that’s ready to fight! Get to know two of their newest members.
What drew you to roller derby? How did you find out about NSRD?
The first time I saw roller derby I was in Montreal. I just knew it was something I wanted to do so the following week I bought my first pair of roller skates. My cousin played for NSRD for a minute and when I moved to Minneapolis I looked the team up. They made joining so easy and welcoming.
Tell us about your derby name!
I dreamt I was roller skating with Lady Gaga and we danced the snowball together.
What did you enjoy most about bootcamp? What was it like transitioning to league?
I enjoyed connecting with a cohort of skaters. I play against these folks now and I can’t believe how much they have changed. I wanted to play derby day one, so it required a lot of patience transitioning to the league.
What did you enjoy about your first bout/s? Were you nervous?
I’m always nervous before a bout.
What have you learned from the Femmes so far?
Many of us join derby for social reasons but lots of leagues struggle to create a sense of community. The Femmes do this really well. They have strong leadership that models how to have fun and we play stronger because of it.
What drew you to roller derby? How did you find out about NSRD?
A few years back, I brought my nephew to a bout and he was raving how “cool” it was. I thought “I could totally do this!” A couple years passed, life happened, and I was looking for a change, so this past spring I reached out to NSRD to join a clinic. It was my first time on skates since junior high, and I have been here since!
Tell us about your derby name!
I am in sales so I talk a lot. And, when I talk, I swear… a lot. Sailor Mouth seemed an excellent fit!
What did you enjoy most about bootcamp? What was it like transitioning to league?
Going into bootcamp, I hadn’t been on roller skates since junior high, so I loved learning all the skills to get me feeling confident. Transitioning to league was such a fantastic experience because I got to learn so much more from my teammates. The Femmes are amazing, are incredibly helpful and caring, and wanted me to grow and improve. It’s a family! We laugh and play hard, and I couldn’t be happier!
What did you enjoy about your first bout/s? Were you nervous?
I loved getting the chance to play with my teammates in a live-action setting. We put a lot of hours in to fine-tune what we do in a bout and it was awesome to get the chance to play with amazing players! SO nervous! I don’t think the pre-bout nerves will ever fade.
What have you learned from the Femmes so far?
Remember to laugh! This is a tough sport full of hard hits, some major bruises, and a whole lot of emotions. But, I am here because I love the sport. So, when the going gets tough… remember to laugh!