OK, so not a typical blog post, of which I have many to catch up on in the coming weeks.

But today I wanted to talk about Roller Derby. Our team Pow! Town Roller Derby is offering a weekend Bootcamp on May 5th and 6th for those who want to check out Derby and find out what it is all about.

I know what you’re thinking, trust me. I hear it ALL THE TIME. (This falls in to the category of snorts, wide eyes, “but I can’t skate”s, and “oh I could never do that”s)

BUT, what if you put those thoughts aside in your mind and decided to just give it a try for a weekend? What’s the worst thing that could happen?

You could learn to roller skate to take part of some fun Friday night skates that we’ll be putting on, you might decide it’s something that you could learn to do recreationally.

Or

You could fall in love with Roller Derby. It happens.

Eleven months ago, I came across a posting on a Facebook group asking if there was any interest in being part of a new derby league in Powell River. My first thought was, OF COURSE! I had been sending waves of jealousy across to my friend Karen on the Island who plays with the Betties for at least a year. I admit it, I was cocky. Of course I could play derby. Skating (on ice) was the only sporty thing I was good at, and I was pretty darn good at it at one point in my life.

So a few weeks after that, a group of us headed out to the parking lots in some pairs of old skates and roller blades. I borrowed a pair of old school skates with seized up old bearings, declared out loud that this was going to be easy because skating was the only thing I could do well. Hopped off the tailgate of my car and promptly went 2 feet up in the air. Ego bruised, I picked myself up and have vowed to only ever skate inside EVER.

The point of that story being, it’s not going to be easy (for most of us). And you might not even be great at it for awhile. But even so, it’s something to work at, something fun, something active and something social.

I’m well aware of the stigma of old school derby. The fights, and elbows, and fishnets and booty shorts. Well, I’m happy to announce that your grandma’s roller derby has changed. No fighting, elbows, tripping, clotheslining, back blocking, or kicking. Lots and lots of rules and 12 officials to help keep everyone safe and happy.

The booty shorts? Well, it hits a point in your derby career where wearing athletic style booty shorts to the grocery store (with leggings underneath) after practice isn’t a big deal any more.

For me roller derby has become more than just putting on the skates.

I belong to a team. You know, that kind of team. Where you become fiercely protective of your derby mates and would go head to toe with something in a dark alley to save them. (Well at least I hope that I’m not the only one who feels that way).

I’m learning about perseverance, and hard work, and regaining my athletic self that I gave up 6 years ago.

I’m goal setting, and finding out that it’s 100% OK to not be able to do something right away, but to work at it.

I’m learning to stop thinking “I can’t” and start thinking “OK, I’ll try”

I’m pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone, even though it can be scary sometimes.

You know what? These are all of these little that I try to teach my 5 year old. Except now, instead of just telling her, I’m role modelling. Which makes me feel unabashedly proud of myself.

And back to why I think you should try

Six Months ago, I was listening to that little voice in my head. I was telling myself that I can’t. I was frustrated. I wasn’t giving 100%. I grappled for three months with a bad attitude. Then New Years happened and I decided that was enough, this was the year of fun. I wasn’t getting anywhere with that bad attitude.

I decided to turn that attitude around, acknowledge that I have a long way to go, be completely 100% OK that it could take a year to be where I wanted to be, and just go with the flow.

As soon as I decided to do that, I truly fell in love. I got it. All of the blog posts that I read about how roller derby would take over your life in the best way possible all of a sudden made total sense. I’m conquering my apprehensions, trying skills that I swore I would never try. Yesterday I gave and received my first whips. AND IT WAS FUN.

We’ve learned a lot as a league in the past 11 months, had our ups and downs. When we started, we just kind of threw ourselves in and went for it.

After 6 scrimmages, bootcamps, countless committees, and a training plan we’re well on our way. We have a little problem in Powell River though with a smaller population. It’s hard to form a team when you don’t have a million citizens to pull from. Now we just need you and others like you to open up the possibility and think “Hmmmm… maybe I should try it and check it out and make up my mind after that”. You might be surprised by who is on the team- we have Moms, Students, Professionals, Physicians, RNs, Artists, Business Owners, Friends, Neighbours. The team is made of up teenagers through those in their 40s. There are leagues who have those in their 50s.

What You Will Get Out of Roller Derby if You Give It A Go

-Once you learn the basics of skating you will get 2 or 3 great skating workouts a week, focusing on skills, endurance and agility year round at an affordable price.
-You will have the opportunity to take part in dryland (off skates) complimentary training sessions 2 times a week.
-You will have the opportunity to take part of complimentary fitness and nutrition challenges, to work on your heart and health.
-You will be immersed in an immediate real life social network. (and lots and lots of computer social networking should you choose to take part).
-You will have the opportunity to be a part of an amazing team, take part of road trip if you like, and fun bootcamps throughout the Island and BC (and there’s even Rollercon in Vegas).
-You will even increase your work or business network by having the chance to meet and get to know people you may never have in your current day
-You will have fun.

At the May 5th and 6th Bootcamp you’ll learn the basics of Derby. You’ll learn how to roll in a proper skating position, how to stop, and how to fall safely. You’ll learn about the game, and the equipment. You will not be doing any contact activities, hitting or scrimmaging.

SIGN UP HERE!

http://www.facebook.com/events/280008708754879/280304802058603/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

After the bootcamp, when you think that it’s something that you want to explore further, we’ll be running a summer learn to skate program. During that time we’ll teach you more basic skills, work on your endurance and fitness, teach you about the basic strategy of the game. You’ll be working towards becoming benchmarked, if you decide that you’d like to join our Fresh Meat.

Once you’ve learned to skate, and fall in love, and conquer your basic skills, you will have the opportunity to join the league as a “Fresh Meat” and it continues on. Even if you love to skate, but don’t end up scrimmaging, there are opportunities for referees to skate at bouts. (Referees get to practice with the team!)

If you know that you want to give it a go, find out more about the equipment check out http://www.rollergirl.ca and the Fresh Meat packages.

I hope to see you there, at least giving it a try! You never know…

Tamlyn and Conrad braved the gale force winds, to take advantage of some dramatic skies on the seaside. Their new babe is due in just a few short weeks, and the excitement was imminent! I can’t wait to meet the new arrival.

Here are some images from the Mini Mini Valentines Sessions!

I’m back in the office this week, the past few have felt slightly surreal. Anyone who owns their own business knows how time off can be a very precious but difficult thing. I’m sitting in my office, looking out the window, answering holiday emails, and working on putting together a seamless flow for my business this year.

Looking back at 2011.

The past year in business blew past all of my expectations. By the time I dropped my daughter off at the bus for the beginning of kindergarten, I was truly running a full time operation, which I’m so incredibly thankful for. The balance between home and office can be a challenging one, especially with today’s technological world. Home office, mobile office applications can be both a blessing and a curse. In 2012, I’m looking forward to continue to create a more formal office setting with the help of my new digs at Vitality, and move away from the home office.

If you haven’t had a chance to pop in to Vitality yet to visit the new office, please do! I feel so incredibly fortunate to have found the perfect space for me. (Except for the fact that I am now hooked on the 100% Pure Make-up line). My office allows me the opportunity to have a space to conduct the day to day operations of my business, as well as entertain client meetings.

In I was able to attend an amazing professional conference in Texas (which appears to be my home away from home). It allowed me to become trained and connected with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, as well as be blown away and inspired by some amazing fellow business people and artists. It inspired me to start working on my art and work on preparing myself to be involved in competitions. I also completed the first portion of my professional CPP designation while I was there. 2012 will be the year of working to complete that designation and be able to put some letters behind my name. I also attended another conference in the spring with fellow BC Photographers, which allowed me to get hooked up with the crew from Helping Hearts.

I had a full summer of travelling for weddings, BC Ferries becoming a third home. Even though the summer arrived late, it was fantastic and full and happened much too quickly. The beginning of the summer brought in my new hobby with the Pow! Town Roller Derby league. I’m refereeing with the league, and it’s been a wonderful way to get out and meet more people and forge some great new relationships.

So on to 2012 – what will it bring?

The beginning of this year is all about book work and renewal. I’m working on restructuring my sessions, and securing dates for the yearly mini sessions. Karen of McKinnon Photography and I are putting on a Boudoir Marathon in the Comox Valley just in time for Valentine’s Day. This is being declared the year of Fun! Fun it will be – Here is my list of resolutions this year…

Sabrina and I met when my daughter was just a baby, and when her and Jerrold had just started dating. I owe my love of gardening to her, as she taught me how to plant an care for my first vegetable garden, something to pass on to Avari, and I’m very thankful for that. Her kindergarten students are very lucky to have her as a teacher, and I’m sure that Jerrold is going to be a fabulous teacher as well as he finishes up his program!

Congratulations!