How did you discover derby?
My water aerobics instructor asked me if I'd ever wanted to play roller derby. Before I could answer, my best friend said yes it's always been her dream.  Then I ended up joining the team the next week.

Do you have a goal for this year?
To knock off the last 13 seconds to get my 27/5 (CONGRATS to you, you did it!)

What advice do you have for new skaters?
Stay low and don't be afraid to fall, we all do :)

What are your non-derby hobbies?
Reading and collecting strange nick-knacks.

What do you do in real life?
I am a den mother to a pack of wild animals and kids.

How did you discover derby?
Batsy is my little big sister! (she's shorter but older) She'd been asking me to come out for some time but I always found a reason not to. Wanting to get out and meet people and get back into that feeling of being part of a team again, I decided to finally just join.

Do you have a goal for this year?
Improve my stability and control! Sometimes I get carried away...I lose my stability and end up skating stiffly.

What advice do you have for new skaters?
Practice, practice, practice! The sport is very welcoming to newcomers, but you've gotta put in the work.

What are your non-derby hobbies?
Gaming, art, and music.  I love playing video games with friends, crafting and drawing, and playing my flute.

What do you do in real life?
I am a behavior assistant in Woodland and Davis.  I am also a high school track and cross country coach.

Great fun was had by everyone at our 2018 Season Opener. The girls from both teams played their hardest and the Ol Derby Bastards came out on top.  Don't think WARD let them take it easily, the final score was 188-185!  What an awesome game to experience with an exciting last jam!

Thanks to everyone that came out to cheer these wonderful ladies on.  We hope you had a fun night, I think the roof was almost blown off with all the cheering. We can't wait to see you all again at the next home bout.

Another thanks to Soroptimist International Of Woodland, the benefactor of our fundraising efforts for this game. It was wonderful to have you help with the raffle table and speak about the incredible work you do.

Lastly, big thanks to all the WARD skaters, ODB skaters, skating officials, and non-skating officials for making this season opener happen!

How did you discover derby?
Like so many derby players, I first heard about derby from the movie Whip It. I secretly (not so secretly?) want to be Ellen Page when I grow up, so it really spoke to me. About a year later, I attended a bout in Santa Barbara and decided that I needed to play derby in the area, found a league, bought some skates, and went for it.

Do you have a goal for this year?
So many goals! I want to improve my track awareness in general, and I would really like to get better at hitting people. I also want to get better at bracing/being braced and stopping those jammers. Long-term, I'd like to try being a pivot or even a jammer.

What advice do you have for new skaters?
There are lots of things in derby that seem IMPOSSIBLE when you start, but eventually get a whole lot easier with practice. Everyone struggles in the beginning. Skate as much as you can! Also, be nice to yourself and get a good pair of knee pads, your knees will thank you.

What are your non-derby hobbies?
Making jewelry, riding/fixing bikes, playing ukulele, and taking photographs.

What do you do in real life?
I'm a PhD student in ecology at UC Davis.

Our first Fresh Meat Session was a big hit! Seventeen girls came out to learn the ups and downs of roller derby. After signing in and gearing up, we had a warm up skate, learned our derby stance, stretched, and did introductions.

Then the real fun started! We learned a few ways to fall (one of the most important things to know in roller derby!) with single knee and double knee falls and how to T stop and plow stop. We also worked our skating and weaving skills with the worlds longest pace line. 

After getting the basic skating skills down, we played a few games.  We all grabbed partners and did push cart laps and a few competitive rounds of red light green light.

All in all, it was a great day with great new friends and we can't wait to see you next weekend!

Thanks to all the newbies that came out and thanks to all the WARDies that helped!

If you missed the first session, don't worry you can still come out!  Any and all interested parties are welcome, just email us through the site or email Grace of Wrath at gracekcharles@gmail.com. Sessions are the next five Sundays from 11am-1pm.

Do you have a goal for this year?  Since this is my first year bouting, I just generally hope to become stronger at blocking and being someone my teammates can depend on.

What advice do you have for new skaters? I didn't start playing until I was in my forties. If you think you're too old, you're not.  Just go for it!! It may take you longer to master the skills, but you can do it.
 
What are your non-derby hobbies? I like reading, dancing, going on road trips, playing board games, and spending time cuddling with my poodles on the couch.  I'm also a Disneyland addict.  

What do you do in real life?  In real life I'm a fourth grade teacher.