So what’s holding you back?

This could be you … but you’ll never know unless you try.

You’ve thought about joining roller derby. You’ve thought of going to a bootcamp or a tryout for the Burning River Roller Girls.

But you talked yourself out of it.

You’re not athletic enough, you say. Not strong enough. Fast enough. Young enough. Old enough. You don’t have the right look. You have kids. You’re a single mom. You’re in school. You’re not alt or edgy enough. You don’t like tattoos. You’re too skinny. You’re too big. You’re too short. Too tall. You live too far away. You have health problems. You work two jobs. You’re never going to be as good as so-and-so.

You’re scared.

We get it. But don’t let that stop you.

The Burning River Roller Girls is hosting it’s 4th boot camp Sunday, June 2, leading up to tryouts this summer. Click here for all the details.

Here’s what we require for you to participate:

1. Are you a woman 18 years of age or older?
2. Do you have the required gear or can you borrow it?
3. Do you have basic skating skills?
4. Do you have a passion to learn roller derby and work hard at it?

Yes? That’s all we need from you. Forget everything else. We have women in our league or know women who play derby elsewhere who are JUST LIKE YOU. If you have the drive to make this work, we can help you. We can put you in touch with women who understand your situation, and who can share how she has overcome those obstacles, too.

Of course derby isn’t for everyone. But our bootcamps are an excellent way to find out if this is a good fit for you and your lifestyle and an opportunity to start connecting with women who understand the challenges of balancing a life and doing something you love.

Can’t make it June 2? Still scared? Please get on our recruiting email list. Our Recruiting Director Soul Eater is a wealth of information about what to expect and how to prepare to be a derby player. Email her at recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com.

Still not convinced? Come to our bout on Saturday night!  Get your tickets here!  See what it’s all about!

Do you dream of playing roller derby?

The Killustrator flies around the track.

Do you love to skate? Have you ever watched a bout and wondered if you have what it takes? Do you dream of playing roller derby?

Yes? Then this is for you!

Burning River Roller Girls is looking for women 18 years or older interested in learning the skills necessary to join the league. We will host three bootcamps over the next few months leading up to tryouts to become a Burning River Roller Girl!

BOOTCAMP 1

Sunday, April 22, 9:45 a.m. to noon
(Be geared up and ready to go at 10 a.m.)
Pla-Mor Skating Rink in Euclid, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH

BOOTCAMP 2

Sunday, May 20, 7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(Be geared up and ready to go at 8 p.m.)
Brunswick Skate Station, 1261 Industrial Pkwy N # 4  Brunswick, OH 44212

BOOTCAMP 3

Wednesday, June 13, 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(Be geared up and ready to go at 7:30 p.m.)
Pla-Mor Skating Rink in Euclid, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH

DETAILS

Cost will be $10 for each session. You must bring a driver’s license or state ID with you.

Gear Required

Skaters must either purchase or make their own arrangements to borrow gear and skates. The usual brown rental rink skates will be available, but it’s highly recommended to have your own skates or borrow regular derby skates as they are quite a bit different. For more details on required gear, recommended brands, and locations to purchase gear, visit our website.

• Quad skates
• Hockey/Skateboard/Bicycle helmet
• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Wrist guards
• Mouth guard

At these bootcamps some of our coaches will demonstrate and have skaters practice the skills that will be tested during tryouts to become a Burning River Roller Girl.

Basic skating competency is required (if you still hold on to a wall while skating, this isn’t for you). This is NOT a skating lesson, and the skills demonstrated and practiced will be difficult to complete if attendees are unable to skate.

Still interested? Contact our recruiting director, Soul Eater, at recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com so she can answer any of your questions and keep you updated on all the latest information about training to become a roller girl! Tryouts could be as early as July 1, so get on the list so you know when the date is set.

A great week for derby

So in the past week, the Burning River All-Stars have played two bouts, our Pyromaniacs had their first bout at the Wolstein Center against the first away team we’ve ever hosted in that venue, and our four home teams completed Bout 2 of the season.

Oh my!

Let’s start with a rundown of the scores. Then we have a recap of the Burning River All-Stars bout against Derby City March 24. We’ll have recaps of the March 31 bouts later in the week, so check back for details.

March 24
Burning River All Stars, 261
Derby City Rollergirls, 101

March 25
Dutchland Derby Rollers, 177
Burning River All-Stars, 105

March 31
Sandusky Roller Girls, 79
Pyromaniacs, 15

Rolling Pin-Ups, 188
Cleveland Steamers, 34

Hellbombers, 132
Hard Knockers, 78

On March 24, the Burning River All-Stars traveled to Kentucky to take on the Derby City Rollergirls.
The bout was largely characterized by stunning defense from the BRRG, really fast packs and loads of power jams.
The first two jams were power jams for BRRG with the Killustrator and Maul-ibu Barbie  starting off the game 31 to 0.  A few jams later DCRG had a 14-point power jam, which brought the score to 60-18.
The evening continued with plenty of power jams on both sides as jammers kept getting sent to the penalty box. BRRG was able to effectively kill some of the DCRG power jams by racing to the front of the pack and out-skating the other team’s jammer.
The Burning River defense dominated the game, partially because of the team’s repeated use of scrum starts with  BRRG holding the opposing jammer consistently at the back of the pack with a devastating three-wall.  The defense swarmed the jammer consistently right off the jammer line.
Halftime score was BRRG,  135 to DCRG, 48.
DCRG started the second half of the game strong scoring a quick 8 points and holding BRRG to 0 points in the first three jams.  But Burning River quickly adjusted, and a few jams later the Killustrator and Mary Kaos, in her All-Star debut bout, brought the score to 166 to 64.
Again the BRRG defense dominated with Hidden Ajennda and Ivanna Destroya effectively holding off the jammers.
Halfway through the second half the Derby City Girls pulled off a successful star pass from #6 Celia Graves lining up on the jammer line and passing the star helmet cover to #23 Little Rage of Sunshine.
Final Score Burning River, 261 to Derby City, 101.

(Thank you to Sweet Heart-Attack for providing updates from the Derby City bout).

Thank you to Derby City for hosting us in this very exciting match-up!

Bout 1, Season 6 Recap

Your Royal Majesty (the skater formerly known as Professor Booty) lays a hit on the Killustrator of the Cleveland Steamers March 10 at the season home opener.

The 2012 season got off to a wild start March 10 during the Burning River Roller Girls home opener at the Wolstein Center.

The night started off with the Cleveland Steamers battling the 2011 Hazard Cup winners, the Hellbombers.

CupQuake of the Steamers put up the first point of the season. A couple of power jams and strategic plays made it anyone’s game for most of the first half.

But the Hellbombers were able to keep the Steamers scoreless for the last six minutes of the first half, putting the Hellbombers at an 82-20 halftime lead.

The Steamers were able to inch up in points in the second half with the help of a power jam by the Killustrator. But the Hellbombers played a very smart, strong game, sinking the Steamers with a final score of 166-48.

The second bout featured an incredibly close match up between the Rolling Pin-Ups and the Hard Knockers.

Premo Donna of the Hard Knockers put up a cool 15 points in the first jam, thanks to the Pin-Ups jammer being sent to the penalty box.

Anna Malinstinct of the Hard Knockers smashes into Oooh Shinee.

Power jam was the word of the night as jammers from both the Hard Knockers and Pin-Ups spent time in the box, allowing for big points to go up on the board and multiple lead changes throughout the first half.

Finnish-Her of the Hard Knockers  tied things up at 31-31 during a power jam. But Pin-Ups rookie Oooh Shinee turned the tables with a 13-point jam. The lead didn’t last long, as the Hard Knockers take control, finishing the half with an 81-56 lead.

The gap continued to widen as the Knockers led 114-71 in the second half thanks to a 33-point jam by Premo Donna. But a 20-point power jam, again from Oooh Shinee, helped close the gap.

Bad Mooney Rising flies around the track.

The final jam was a power jam with Bad Mooney Rising on the line for the Hard Knockers. The Knockers had a 132-131 lead, so all Mooney needed was to become lead jammer and call off the jam before the Pin-Ups could score any points. And that’s exactly what she did, holding the final score at 132-131 for the Hard Knockers!

Thank you to everyone who came out March 10.  Share with us, what was your favorite moment of the night? And be sure to join us again at the Wolstein Center March 31 with the Cleveland Steamers vs. the Rolling Pin-Ups and the Hard Knockers vs. the Hellbombers!

FINAL SCORES
Hellbombers 166, Cleveland Steamers 48
Hard Knockers 132, Rolling Pin-Ups 131

MVPs

Morbid Cherub, earning her MVP as pivot.

Cleveland Steamers
Pivot: Maul-ibu Barbie
Blocker: the Killustrator
Jammer: CupQuake

Hellbombers
Pivot: Morbid
Blocker: Luz Cannon
Jammer: Marion Razorwound

Hard Knockers
Pivot: Veruca Salty
Blocker: Finnish-Her
Jammer: Premo Donna

Rolling Pin-Ups
Pivot: Hidden Ajennda
Blocker: Oooh Shinee
Jammer: Punkd Pixie

Goodbye, Luna Lovewound

Luna Lovewound

At 3:22 p.m., February 20, the world lost Niki Vodraska, a sweet girl who loved drawing, styling hair, and spending time with her friends and family.

She also loved roller derby.

At the Burning River Roller Girls, we knew Niki as Luna Lovewound, #329, one of our newer recruits and a member of the Pyromaniacs. You may remember her as one of the top four finalists in Full-Contact Musical Chairs at our November charity bout, her big debut in the roller derby world.

Luna puts the lockdown on a chair while Jem A. Lition tries to nab it. Photo courtesy of Dave Brown.

Her name is a play on the Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood, a kind, light-hearted wizard who always saw the best in others and the world around her. It was a fitting name for a young woman who often skated with a smile on her face, an eagerness to learn and a love for life.

That life was cut far too short when a brain aneurysm took over the 36-year-old during a derby practice Sunday night.

While it could have happened anywhere, at any time, we are comforted to know that Luna’s last memory was of doing something she loved with a group of women who cared deeply for her.

Luna badge

Though she was no longer conscious, first aid responders, medical crews and doctors kept her alive long enough for her family and friends to be able to say goodbye.

The avid artist was a member of the creative team for the Burning River Roller Girls, a group of skaters who volunteer their services to designing programs, signs and more for the league.

Niki badge

Her most recent contribution was a logo for the Pyromaniacs. Her design featured a phoenix coming out of the ashes, a symbol she felt represented the rising athletes on the team and which she said had personal meaning for her. The league is now sharing that design as a tribute to Luna.

Please feel free to share your own memories of Luna or give your condolences to her friends, family and teammates here in the comments.

We will be retiring her number, 329, from the league and will keep you posted on more ways we plan to honor her in our upcoming season.

We love you, Luna. You will be so missed.

Photos courtesy of Victoria Stanbridge Photography.

 

Can’t wait for March 10? Bonus bout Feb. 26!!!

The 2012 season is approaching quickly. And now you can jump into the action even sooner!

Our Burning River All-Stars and HazMat Crew will be hosting a double-header bout against NEO Roller Derby Sunday Feb. 26!

WHAT: Burning River Roller Girls vs. NEO Roller Derby
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 26
Doors open at 9:50 a.m.
All-Stars start at 10:15 a.m. HazMat starts at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Pla-Mor Roller Rink, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH 44123
COST: $5 general public. (Tickets available at the door. CASH only.)
Children 12 and younger are FREE
Season ticket holders get in FREE (Must RSVP at marketing@burningriverrollergirls.com)

That’s right, if you bought a season ticket pass for our 2012 season, you get into this bonus bout for FREE.

Haven’t gotten your season pass yet? It’s not too late! Buy your passes now and then email marketing@burningriverrollergirls.com no later than Feb. 23 to RSVP, and you too can score this extra bout for free as a special thank you.

Season passes can be purchased in person at Wolstein Center box office, by phone at 1-877-468-4946 or online at www.wolsteincenter.com. **Processing/convenience fees apply for online and phone orders. Those not buying a season pass can just purchase tickets for Feb. 26 at the door.

Just remember that THIS bout is at Pla-Mor! Visitors are encouraged to bring collapsible chairs. Refreshments will be available for sale at the Pla-Mor snack bar. No outside food or drinks, please.

Meet BRRG: Mrs. Lovehit

Skater name: Mrs. Lovehit

Mrs. Lovehit and LuLu come head to head during a Season 5 bout.

Team: Cleveland Steamers

How did you get into derby?
I first heard about derby when my dad gave me a program as a joke. (“Oh, sure, YOU could join roller derby!”) I later saw BRRG myself at Lakewood’s Fourth of July Parade, and was intrigued. I went to Pla-Mor Roller Rink for an informal meeting, and everyone there was so nice, despite me not really knowing how to skate. I later kept practicing on my own in parking lots and other rinks. My dad couldn’t believe little-ol’-me actually wanted to play roller derby. He said: “I was being facetious!” I replied, “Well, don’t be facetious with me because I just might do it!”

 What’s been your biggest challenge in derby so far?
Getting over the “not being able to skate” hurdle. Fortunately, it has been passed (and then some)!

 How did it feel to get drafted to the Cleveland Steamers last season?
I seriously could not believe it. It was like, “Are you sure you called the right person?”

 What are your goals for the 2012 season?
Become totally badass. 😉

Lovehit packs it up with teammate Gonnolea.

 You were nominated for an award for “Most Improved” from the league. How did that feel?
It’s quite the honor, though sometimes it feels like, “Wow, you used to suck!” (Which is true). It’s better than the alternative. (Who wants to win “least improved”?) But I am happy.

Do you have any derby mentors?
Mosh Spice has been an incredible mentor every step of the way, from the first time I struggled to even stay upright on skates all the way to the Cleveland Steamers. She always has something inspirational to say.

 You’re a librarian by day. There seem to be a lot of librarians playing roller derby. Why do you think that is?
We’re tired of saying “Shh!” all the time. 😉

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I do a mean Munchkin laugh.

Any thank yous or shout-outs you want to give?
Hi Mom and Dad — thanks for the health insurance!

January bootcamp and tryouts

Happy New Year, everyone!
To ring in 2012, the Burning River Roller Girls will host tryouts later this month.

There also will be a bootcamp three weeks before the tryouts to see where you stand with your skating and derby skills. You will be given feedback as to what needs work in order to pass the January tryout.

However, if you are interested in attending the bootcamp or trying out, YOU MUST RSVP TO BOTH BY SENDING RECRUITING AN EMAIL TO CONFIRM. We are not making the dates for these events public, so if you have any interest at all, you must email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com ASAP to get the dates and times for theses events.

Do it now.

Seriously. Right now.

If you don’t, these dates might pass you by.

Skaters trying out in January need to be ready to be immediately added to the farm team, The Pyromaniacs, as well as jump into league practices where BRRG skaters are in full-swing, training hard for both the travel and home season that is about to start. Due to this, skaters will have to pass a skills test at a higher level than those trying out in the post-season.

For more information about what skills you should be working on, what kind of gear you need, and what to expect if you make it on to the league, visit http://www.burningriverrollergirls.com/recruit_index.html.

Can’t try out this month? Email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com anyway. You’ll be added to our recruiting email list and be kept in the loop on future tryouts. You’ll also have a direct link to our recruiting director, Soul Eater, and her wealth of information about how to mentally and physically prepare yourself to become a derby girl.

So what are you waiting for? Take the first step to making 2012 your year!

Travel team skaters announced

The Burning River Roller Girls recently held tryouts for its two travel teams: the HazMat Crew and the Burning River All-Stars.

Please join us in congratulating the following skaters and welcoming newcomers to our travel teams. Our All-Stars will represent our league in competitions within the WFTDA North Central Region and are often paired in double-headers with the HazMat Crew.

And remember, this season our travel teams will have two home games at the Wolstein Center, which will be included when you purchase season passes.

HazMat Crew

Anna Malinstinct
Beatrix Wicked
Cat-A-Bolt
Chelle Shock
CLEVELAND
Dagney Taghurt
decibelle
Demona Driver
GrrAnimal
Halle Tosis
J.Poww
Kara Whack
Luz Cannon
Malysha
Mandy Maggots
Mary Kaos
Molotov Hot-tail
Olive Bruises
Scarlet GoDancin
Sweet Heart-Attack
West Nel Virus

All-Stars

Bad Mooney Rising
CoCo Sparx
Eduskater
Eva Lucien
Finnish-HER
Hidden Ajennda
Ivanna Destroya
Killustrator
LuLu
Mae Burnya
Maul-ibu Barbie
Morbid Cherub
oooh SHINEE!
Premo Donna
Punkd Pixie
Rainbow Fright
Soul Eater
Veruca Salty

Congratulations!

So you want to be a Burning River Roller Girl?

Are you a woman 18 or older?

Ever wonder what a roller derby practice is like? What kind of gear do you need? How do you get started? What kind of skills should you be working on to become a roller girl?

All these questions and more will be answered this Sunday, Dec. 4.

Women interested in more information about joining the Burning River Roller Girls are invited to watch our league practice Sunday morning. THIS IS ONLY TO WATCH, so no gear required. We cannot allow you to skate with us, sadly, as league practice is only available to league members that skate under our league insurance.

Recruiting Director Soul Eater will be there to answer all of your questions, explain drills, etc.

Who: Women interested in joining the Burning River Roller Girls
What: Recruitment Event: Watch a BRRG Practice
When: Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Pla-Mor Roller Rink, 22466 Shore Center Dr., Euclid, OH 44123

Check out more details on the Facebook event page.

Many of us got introduced to the league at events just like this one. You have to start somewhere! Join us this Sunday, and, who knows, it might be the beginning of something new and exciting in your life!

Can’t make it this Sunday? Make sure you get on our recruiting email list and get tons of great information about tryouts, recruitment events and how you can prepare. Email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com.