Open Skate

Today was the day. I woke up with excitement and dread, much like I would feel on race day. I knew I'd be the dork wearing the rental skates, so I didn't want to be a bigger dork and fall on my ass/face/elbow/etc in front of the current team.

I wore my favorite child approved shirt (Yo Gabba Gabba!) put on my make-up, and debated over pulling my new knee socks up to the knee or waiting until I got there. (pulled them up)

I made the 29 mile drive to All American Skate Center in about 40 minutes. I sat in the parking lot for about 5 minutes, a bag of nerves. "What the hell am I doing here? I'll be 34 next month. I should be knitting sweaters and making crafts with my kids."

Then I pulled myself together and walked into my first ever Atlanta Roller Girls Open Skate.

My first impressions were very positive. Many girls asked me if I was here for ARG open skate, and if I was I could just hang out with them and not pay the $5. I explained that I needed to rent skates, and if I didn't kill myself today I'd buy a pair this week.

The first girl I saw was another hopeful. She tried out last year, made it through the first assessment, and then blah blah blah I don't remember. She seemed cool because she had a Hello Kitty derby shirt on. Covet.
The next gal was Chopper Bleed. She has the biggest, happiest smile and seemed eager to welcome me. Then I met...I think English Nick. Then he introduced me to his wife, Reba Smackentire. Oh wait. Nobody has a normal name. So I re-introduce myself as "Moxie" the name I use on most forums and a group says "Ohhhh the personal trainer, the soccer Mom!"

Apparently, everyone goes by and refers to each other as their screen/derby name.

Gotcha.

I know a lot of girls have a 'persona' on skates that they wouldn't have in their normal lives. Right now I'm more interested in keeping my ass off the rink floor.

Sooo after the razzing for the rental skates and putting an elbow pad on my knees in front of Reba Smackentire, I go out there. I was slow at first, but I got the swing of it again. After most of the ladies filed out I rolled up to Fiona who seemed to be the designated helper of the newbies.
"Can you help me stop please?" I ask. I had the going around the track thing, I had a hard time with stopping. I spoke to Fiona for a while, learned she's retired and just had a baby 6 weeks ago. I felt an instant bond with her. Nothing against the other gals, but there's a level of understanding- even in figure-in sports that you don't really get to share with other people.

I spent another 30 minutes dodging kids, skate dancers and avoiding falling 2 times. I pumped my fist in victory when I avoided busting my ass only to almost fall again. Fiona reminded me to stay in a squat. Duh. It's easy to teach this sort of stuff, but easy to forget when you're actually doing it.

I felt like I learned alot by watching the other gals. Like crossing your feet on the turns and the knee stop.

One gal, a ref, invited me to come to open skate Thursday night @ 6:30. I told her I would like to, but right now I'm working. Over the summer would be no problem. She said "You'd like it. THere are no kids and mostly jammers show up."
I could feel my head expanding.
Fiona told me I did excellent for my first time out. I was getting around the rink pretty fast, and with each lap I became a little more confident.

I'm ordering my skates this week. Actually I'm getting the 'rookie pack'. That's a pair of R3's pads, helmet and a shirt. I'm so excited I can't stand it!!!!