THREE SKATERS MAKE IT TO DERBY
by JEN PHILION (aka: "LADY SHATTERLY")
Three new women are joining the Salt City Derby Girls after the league’s November tryout, while several others have been encouraged to return and try out again in December.
“The nice thing about having tryouts two months in a row is that girls who are close to having the skills we’re looking for can get feedback on what to work on, then come back and do a great job the next time,” said “fresh meat” captain Amanda Hurtado, also known as "Mannarama."
Hurtado works with new recruits until they pass a league skills test and then are placed on permanent teams. Beginning this offseason, recruits have a say in which of the four Salt City Derby Girls teams—Bomber Babes, Death Dealers, Leave it to Cleavers and Sisters of No Mercy—that they would like join. Those without a preference are drafted by team captains according to team needs.
The Nov. 11 tryouts ran smoothly and quickly, as 10 women were auditioned with balance, speed, endurance and stopping drills. While a few were uncertain about their skill level, everyone was encouraged to go through the tryout to get the experience and decide if they’d like to return.
Coach Eric Kraan (El Brujo) offered some tips after the tryout for women who would like to try again: “In order to get comfortable on skates, do everything you can on them. Wear skates in your house while you’re cleaning; walk the dog in your skates. Pretty much anything you do, you can do on skates.”
There's still a chance for those who missed the November tryout.
The league’s next selection will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, from 10:30 a.m. until noon, at Hollywood Connection (3217 South Decker Lake Drive) in West Valley City. Women 21 and over are invited to try out. Participants must wear wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads—helmets are optional. Skates are available for rental at Hollywood Connection.
Women who have been active in other sports and activities (soccer, hockey, snowboarding, dance, etc.) are particularly encouraged to try out.
For those who want to test their skating skills before trying out, SCDG is holding “Skate with a Derby Girl” night, also at Hollywood Connection from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3. SCDG league members will be there to answer questions and demonstrate skating techniques. The cost is $5, which includes skate rental.
SCDG Tryout Drills
Potential derby girls are judged on their skating ability in the following areas:
Ability to weave through a line of cones
Ability to skate on one foot for a short distance
Ability to stop without falling or assistance
Also, speed, endurance and skating stance are evaluated during two time trials:
5 laps around the track in 1 minute
20 laps around the track in 5 minutes
It's fun to try out, and who knows---you might end up with an alter ego personality, skating in fishnet stockings in front of a crowd of screaming fans!