Hello derby fans!
Public Emily No. 1 here, your friendly neighborhood derby player, and new body behind the blog.
I’ll be the one making posts and ‘pivoting’ this blog back into shape! And apologies in advance for any bad jokes or puns you’re going to have to put up with while I’m the one steering this airplane!
I started skating for the very first time in February 2024, and was drafted with Jet in December 2024 after completing the Pilot Program and Cadet Program. Jet taught me how to skate and how to play derby, and while I still have a lot to learn, I’m thrilled to be playing on a team– and, for the first time in my life, I’m actually excited about a sport?
Bear with me as I do a quick plug for derby: it is genuinely an amazing experience, and a fantastic sport. It is so refreshing to be in a space where there’s no such thing as a ‘sports body’ because no matter your build or size, all bodies are essential on the derby track! Plus, I feel so supported when I learn new skills. When you have wheels on your feet, you will inevitably fall, and fall again. But everyone falls (and I really do mean EVERYONE! Even at the highest levels people are falling all the time!) and falling means you’re learning. It’s the fastest way to figure out “Oh hey, I probably shouldn’t put my body there!”
Learning new skills as an adult can suck!! It can feel really hard and frustrating, and progress sometimes doesn’t feel like it’s happening. But with this group of people it felt incredibly encouraging and rewarding, and is also ridiculously fun. I genuinely can’t sing its praises enough! (And if you’re reading this and thinking huh… is derby for me? It totally is! Check out our Instagram for details about our next pilot program!).
On skates, I’m currently working on my lateral movements, and playing/watching as much derby as I can. I’m trying to internalize all the rules and pick up new play ideas to bring my own understanding of the game to the next level, and I hope to bring plenty of reports and rundowns back to you all here.
Speaking of reports, our next game is March, where we’ll be hosting our first ever tournament: the Rainy Season Rumble!!! Join us from the 21st-23rd for a full weekend of derby antics, and keep an eye out here for some special features coming soon.
Off skates I’m working on my cardio and thinking about the adage ‘we don’t play derby to workout– we work out so we can play derby!’
Thanks for reading and leave a comment if there’s any specific derby topics you’d like to see covered here. Either way, I’ll see you next month to talk more about the Rainy Season Rumble!
Hugs and bruises,
Public Emily No. 1