We love our friends in the Calgary Roller Derby!

This friendship came around one year ago when the Roller Derby reached out to our Western Manager, Brad.  He immediately offered support especially since he had memories of his parents talking nostalgically about going to the roller derby when they were dating. Roller derby is fun, retro, and the folks involved are very passionate – just like us, the Good Beer Folks!

To give you a bit of a background, the CRD was formed in 2007 by a group of women whose goal was to create a not-for-profit, skater-owned, skater-operated roller derby league. The league is structured so that every member has the chance to be involved in the organization and welcomes women of all shapes, sizes, age, abilities, backgrounds, professions and skill levels.

Roller skating and rewarding yourself with a Steam Whistle afterwards sure sounds like a fun time to us!

For those who have been curious to strap on a pair of vintage roller skates and make laps around a track, we chatted with the Thrashin’ Lassies, Dazzler 130 to see what it takes….

Name:

Dazzler 130

League:

Calgary Roller Derby Association

Team:

Thrashin’ Lassies

Bio:

Don’t let this Maritime girl’s stature fool you. She’s 5-foot-F*-all and 100% dynamo. This flashy Lassie will grab you by the disco balls and bring you to your knees.

That is the bio on my team website – if you want the real person bio, I moved to Alberta from Prince Edward Island and my day-job is being a fundraiser. I didn’t grow up playing sports, but since I’ve started playing Roller Derby it has become my number one passion. Except for my boyfriend of course (ahem, sorry sweetie) – who has also joined Derby as an Announcer.

What is the story behind your nickname?

Dazzler is an 80′s superhero from Marvel comics. #130 is the issue of Spiderman where she made her first appearance. I own the whole run of her comics, so it was a perfect fit for me! I skated my first game under another name, but it just didn’t feel right, so I switched. And I do own a Bedazzler, so it really it a perfect name for me.

How did you get started in the roller derby?

I remember watching it on TV as a kid, and then I saw the CRDA play a demo game at a Tattoo Show. I’d never seen a sport where people were having so much fun, and the fans were so into it.  I immediately wanted to do it, but it took two years to build up the courage to try out. I turned 37 and realized I needed to just go for it.

Favourite game you played so far?

This is my first year with my team, the past season I was a rookie – what we call “Fresh Meat.” My favourite game will have to be my first – which was a rookie invitational. The first ten minutes I felt like a deer in the headlights, and when the game was over, I just wanted to start it all over again!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to join a roller derby team?

Just do it. No really, go right now, call or email the closest league and go for it. Oh. Strap on some skates and you will not regret it.

Read up more on the league here. 

Cheers!