Team Canada Road Post #1 - Shift Kicker
Left Vancouver thinking that I had a direct flight, but found out I would be landing in Calgary. The plane was totally empty, which was nice. When all the people in Calgary got on, at least nine of them were related to the derby team. Alright! So I got to fly with Trailer Trish and family, two Saskatoon girls (fresh off the farm and totally sweet and healthy-looking, not like any derby player I know), Cree Assault (we used to know her as Sour Cherry), Trailer Park Tracy, SaraSaurus Rex, Kirsten, RockHell and Coach Lime. It was great when we all got off in Glasgow and got through customs as a group with the requisite, “Roller Derby? What is that?” They pronounce it “dArrrby” here - totally weird. 8 Mean was already in the UK along with a few other team members and would not meet up with us till the next day.
We got to our hostel and met up with the Toronto gals and went out for a meal at a local pub and a bonding session. The cider here is great and superior to Strongbow (I know, how is that possible?). We all got merry but most of us went back to the hostel and went to bed. A couple players stayed out and didn’t stumble in to bed till 8am. Naughty girls.
We practised at the venue tonight with the Glasgow girls. Things were a bit tense - I think we may have intimidated them. There was some unfriendliness, which was too bad. It was a great practise as we all sussed out each other’s skills and scrimmaged. Our helmet covers are the best! The jammer covers are silver with a red maple leaf instead of a star. I am in love with them. There is a TORD player called Heidi Hasselhoff who is the twin the Suzie Shameless. It’s uncanny. I learned a really dirty trick, which I will not share here as it truly is nasty. I can’t wait to use it in a game. I think our first game will be pretty easy as we are more experienced than the Glasgow girls…but you never know. We could all lose our shit easily if we stop communicating. I’ll keep you posted
Love, Shift Kicker #27
www.teamcandadarollerderby.com
(Thanks to Hoochie Mama for her Facebook photos)
