A few blogs ago (you know, when I was updating the blog more frequently) I mentioned a few little known and perhaps a little crazy activities that I would like to try in Perth. I made a few offhand comments about how these activities would probably never get off the ground in this ville of thrills.
How wrong I was.
Not long after the blog entry I was searching on Facebook and came across a group for Perth Roller Derby. Intrigued, I joined the fledgling group and helped it to attract more members, find a venue and locate a suitably crazy coach.
And wa la. That was it. Perth now has a roller derby league. Pretty easy, peasy. No red tape, no documents to sign in triplicate or cat fights and power plays. Just good ol' people power. Now I feel a little less jaded. I feel as though I could take on the world. I feel like I could eat a burger and not count the calories or something equally as dangerous.
Pretty feel good story... But then something happened. I became a woman obsessed. I joined a committee! I bought $250 skates, $70 knee pads, $20 elbow pad, $50 wrist guards and a $70 helmet! I haven't even skated before and now I'm suiting up and getting physical just like Olivia Newton John is Xanadu. This hobby looks like its going to stick. I'm going steady with this hobby and we might even get married. We're pretty close to tying the knot just FYI and we're thinking of getting married in Bali where we can still afford things on our measly pay, like, oh, I dunno, food.
So anyway, 2 things:
1.) People power gets results. If you want something in Perth maybe you should just try starting it and see if you can find a bunch of crazies who want to do it too.
2.) Roller derby is a crazy full contact sport and people can get really hurt or maybe even paralysed. Despite the risks or maybe because of them, it's really, really fun too. But only if you like to flirt with death and dance with the devil by the pale moonlight like me.
THRILLS & SPILLS
Level of difficulty: 5/5 Skating is hard enough but hitting people, knocking them flat and not falling down requires skill and precision and big (figurative) balls. Lady balls you might say.
Co-ordination: 5/5 I told you, this stuff is hard. Fresh meat intake has officially ended but a new one will come up in early 2009.
Fun: 5/5 Derby girls aint like other girls. They are a riot... and they might also enjoy causing riots.
What to wear: Padding, helmet, the whole gear.
What to bring: Courage, stamina, balance, no fear. Oh and a cute outfit and stripey knee socks.
Where to go: Roller girls train at Morley rollerdrome. Fresh meat intake has ended but they are looking for referees to train.
Average cost: Lots of $$$ for padding and equipment. About $10 per training session at the moment.
Who to contact: www.perthrollerderby.com.au