OK I admit it. I’m easily influenced by TV and movies. I watch Miami Ink and for two whole weeks I am determined to be a tattoo artist. I watch Winnie the Pooh and get a mad craving for hibernation and honey. And just this weekend I watch ‘Hell on Wheels’, a documentary about a group of women in Austin Texas who formed an all-girl roller derby, and you guessed it – I decide to take up roller derby!
What is roller derby? Think fast-paced, sexy wrestlers on roller-skates, violence in cute matching outfits emblazoned with wild and wacky nicknames like Punky Bruiser, Miso Vicious, Varuca Assault, Ginjure Snaps and Peachy Mean. OMG it’s just my kinda thang! There’s just one problemo. No such thing exists in Perth. (Shock, horror). So rather than start my own league I decided to compile a list of worthwhile activities that Perth doesn't offer.
1. Roller Derby
An American-invented contact sport, roller derby is sports entertainment and is based on formation roller-skating around an oval track. Two teams face off at a time, fighting to see which team can make it around the track the most times.
The sport was revived in 2001 in Austin, Texas by ‘She-EO’s’ Anya Jack, April Herman, Heather Burdick and Nancy Lynn with TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls and has gained international popularity. There are teams in Australia, but not in Perth yet.
www.txrd.com
2. Bikram Yoga
Also known as hot yoga, Bikram Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room heated to 40°C with a humidity of 40%. The 90-minute classes include 26 postures and two breathing exercises.
www.bikramaustralia.com.au
3. AntiGravity Yoga
Classes use the AntiGravity hammock, a soft fabric hung from the ceiling, to perform yoga poses and suspension techniques. Participants practice traditional yoga postures as well as exercises derived from dance, Pilates, and strength conditioning. Results are said to include increased flexibility and strength, better alignment and agility and a creative and fun workout.
www.antigravityyoga.com or www.crunch.com
4. Stunt School
Be like stunt experts Jackie Chan or Zoë Bell with Stunt Academy. The nationally recognised training program offers everything from agility, tumbling and rope work to theatrical fighting, film scenes, wirework, abseiling, stunt driving, high falls and horsework.
www.stuntacademy.com
5. Trapeze School
The flying trapeze is a weighted, horizontal bar used by aerial acrobats.
The performer uses the swinging trapeze bar to ‘fly’ across to the potential ‘catcher,’ utilizing a multitude of tricks.
www.circusarts.com.au
5. Bungee
The bungee chord is made from material similar to that used for bungee jumping. The performer uses its bounce to propel themselves through an array of movements with a dance like effect, dipping and gliding through aerial manoeuvres, suspended for moments at a time. Participants learn to dip, dive and roll their way through an exciting assortment of tricks.
www.circusarts.com.au
6. Find Free Parking
You Heard Me PERTH.
7. Skiing & Snow Boarding
No snow – no ski.
8. Punk Rock Aerobics
Punk Rock Aerobics is the ‘work out that rocks out’. According to the website, Punk Rock Aerobics is not sucky classes full of braindead bimbos in spandex thongs. PRA is an hour and a half cardio and strengthening class that will have participants po-going and skanking their butts off.
www.punkrockaerobics.com
9. BASE Jumping
BASE Jumping is jumping off fixed objects with a parachute. Like a building, a bridge, a mountain etc.
www.baseclimb.com
10. Zorb
“Zorb is the sport of rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball and where New Zealand, once again leads the world in stupid things to do while you're on a vacation.” See it. Believe it.
www.zorb.com