Roller Derby Helmet Cam - Eastern Regional Tour

Just heard about this video via the rollergirls yahoo group and Hurt Reynolds. Very cool footage. I would love to see more of this!

"If you've seen helmet cam footage shot by competing skaters, you've probably noticed that it can be hard to follow because any alert skater keeps her head on a swivel at all times. Refs, though, are watching the bigger picture, and the change of aspect yields a much better result. Interesting to think what a dedicated camera-skater might accomplish this way."

National Medical Roller Derby Research

Photo: K. T. Ryder Wilkie, 10-14-07

From the rollergirls yahoo board comes this interesting post about a new medical study being done on injuries in roller derby. I think this is so fantastic. Good solid research will eventually help us to be safer. More safety = Less injuries = More kicking ass! I have already filled out this survey and I think you should, too. Right now.

Injury Experience in Roller Derby Athletes

Attention Roller Derby Girls!

Roller Derby is moving fast! Media exposure is expanding.

The next step is medical research! Sports medicine doctors at the University of Utah are studying Roller Derby injuries. By studying how athletes get hurt, they hope to figure out how to prevent future injuries and keep Derby Girls safely rolling.

Everyone's experience is important. Be heard by helping with this nationwide study. Follow the link below to answer some questions. Even if you haven't been injured, please fill out the survey. It will only take five or ten minutes, and we aren't collecting any names. We will collect your year of birth, insurance status, and description of non-Derby and Derby related injuries.

Your information is safe and will only be used for this research project. All data will be password-protected on a University website and database. However, with everything there may be risk- a potential risk may be loss of confidentiality. There is no reward for completing the survey; but, everyone's experience is important! Be heard by helping with this nationwide study.

Do you have any Roller Derby friends that didn't get this link? Please send this link to them – we don't want to miss anybody!

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints or if you feel you have been harmed by this research please contact Dutch Plante (Research Coordinator, Division of PM&R, University of Utah) at 801 585 6998.

Contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) if you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant. Also, contact the IRB if you have questions, complaints or concerns which you do not feel you can discuss with the investigator. The University of Utah IRB may be reached by phone at (801) 581-3655 or by e-mail at irb@hsc.utah.edu.

Participation in this study is voluntary. You can choose not to take part and you can also choose not to finish the questionnaire or omit any question you prefer not to answer without penalty or loss of benefits.

By completing this questionnaire at the below listed web link, you are giving your consent to participate.

https://securembm.uuhsc.utah.edu/ESurvey/index.cfm?event=Run.Open&Run.RemoteKey=060105677678756371037467790F701170750416727B05657071021073797461

Thank you for your participation,
Ethan Colliver, D.O.
Stuart Willick, M.D.
University of Utah

Dreadnought and her Derby Quilt of Awesomeness

Dreadnought's roller derby quilt has taken on a life of its own and decided to move to a new blog. Check it out at http://rollerderbyquilt.blogspot.com/. There are rumors of a magazine article and a possible senate seat. Stay tuned for more details!

We season our lobster with the blood of our enemies! Yummm

The Weekly Dig came out with its Dig This Awards 2008 and guess who was voted Best Citizen's Militia? You guessed it!

Best Citizens' Militia
Boston Derby Dames

"Anyone who's been to one of the league's roller derby bouts wouldn't mind getting "blocked and rolled" by the Boston Derby Dames. Fueled, no doubt, by some combination of petrol and bourbon, they season their lobster with the blood of their enemies and look hotter on wheels than any girl in stilettos. What began in 2005 now boasts three home teams - the Cosmonaughties, Nutcrackers and Wicked Pissahs - and an all-star traveling team, the Boston Massacre. With handles like "Pussy Venom" and "KrushPuppy," the Dames would likely jump at the chance to defend the People's Republic. As one classic derby adage goes: "Skate faster, pussycat! Kill! Kill!" [bostonderbydames.com]"

How to protect your toes!

It is amazing to me that companies like Riedell have not caught on to the fact that roller derby utterly and completely destroys the toes of your skate boots. Very quickly. Those toe guard things they sell do not do the trick. If you look at the toes of roller girls you will likely see a lot of duct tape. Some folks do get more creative. I've seen bike tire tread, for instance, which is pretty cool.

Right now my skates look like this: I have the traditional Riedell toe guard (black) over a hand made leather toe cover (blue) that I bought at ECE. The toe covers looked cool but did not last very long, although I heard that they were selling versions with more durable leather, but had sold out by the time I got there. So there is a lot of duct tape in addition to those two things. And I can tell that this won't last very long either. So I am in the market for new toe protection.

Here are some other options I have found:

A couple of enterprising souls have made their own wrap around toe covers. Dandelion Factory has some handmade toe covers for sale at Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16986912) that look pretty good.


I found this interesting toe cover from Skechers (http://www.skates.com/Skechers_Toe_Covers_p/sctc.htm) that I might try out:There are also a couple of products out there that you can brush directly onto your boot that are supposed to create a hard layer on your boot toe. For instance, A.L.21 Sports Toe Guard Hockey Skate Protector and Pro Guard Hockey Skate Toe Protector. I don't know anyone who has tried these, but at around $5 it seems like it might be worth a try.

Anyone else out there found a better (or cooler) way to protect yor toes? I'd love to hear about it.

Start checking off your Christmas list -- BDD 2009 Season passes are here!

Season Passes to Boston Derby Dames' 2009 Season!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/46105?prod_id=2585

Tickets $14 in advance, $16 at the door (good for both bouts of the double header)
Season tickets now available! 9 nights, 17 bouts for $117—just $6.88 per bout!

*February 28th - Boston Massacre vs. Maine
*March 21st - Boston Massacre vs. Charm City and Nuts vs. Cosmos
*April 18th - Nuts vs. Pissahs and Boston Massacre vs. Philly
*May 16th - Boston Massacre vs. Rocky Mountain and Cosmos vs. Pissahs
*June 20th - Nuts vs. Cosmos and Boston Massacre vs. Texas
*July 18th - Boston Massacre vs. Duke City and Nuts vs. Pissahs
*August 15th - Cosmos vs. Pissahs and Boston Massacre vs. Detroit
*September 19th - Boston Massacre vs. Pikes Peak and Home team
Playoffs (Team #2 vs. Team #3)
*October 10th - Season 3 Championships and Team #3 vs. TBD

All bouts held at Shriner's Auditorium in Wilmington MA.
February bout: Doors at 5pm, bout at 6:00
Doubleheader bouts March - October: Doors at 4pm,
1st bout at 5:00, 2nd bout at 7:00
DJ
Awesome half time shows
Family friendly
Bar and concession stand on premises
After party on location, directly following each bout

***You must provide an address in order to get your season pass***

Notes
Directions: Shriner's is located just 15 minutes north of Boston at
exit 39 on route 93. There is FREE PARKING on site.

For purchasing tickets for individual bouts see the following link:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/2585

Pizza, Buns, and Roller Derby!

People who know me know that there are three things that I am crazy about: Roller Derby, Ants, and Bunnies. I have finally managed to find a way to combine at least two of those passions:

The House Rabbit Network (HRN) is a rabbit adoption and rescue organization of which I am very familiar with as Mr. Mayhem and I often have them bunnysit our two adorable buns. On Tuesday, October 21st from 4-9 pm they will be holding a fundraiser at Flatbread restaurant in Bedford. Order pizza and Flatbread will donate a percentage of their profits to HRN. In addition, you can buy tickets for a menagerie of auction items including a facial rejuvenation treatment ($450 value), a pair of ski passes good for skiing at Wachusett Mountain ($98 value), Legal Seafood gift card ($50 value), an autographed photo of Kevin Youkilis at bat, and ...... wait for it...... 2 tickets to a Boston Massacre bout! Oh yeah. More info here.

And now I have an excuse to put up some photos of my bunnies: