Dude, you read "Popular Mechanics" - that's pretty freakin' manly.

Me? I skate with an all-womens roller-derby league and use a pseudonym on occasion. I suspect this disqualifies me from any pretence of manliness.

Honestly, most of the jam is a blur for me (apart from the bit near the end where Suffer Jet got blocked into the crowd, allowing Perky Nah-Nah to take lead jammer. The crowd went fucking crazy over it, awesome!) so I wouldn't have a clue. Ginger might have a better recollection if she stops by here later on.

Can I just mention that you, the crowd, were awesome beyond expectation? Derby would be a lot less fun without people watching and cheering us on!

Megan: Think we weren't scared either? Some people are naturally fearless (Sneaky Darky learnt to skate and kick ass in the last 6 months or so) but most of us are just normal people. Many of us had never skated, or not since childhood, when we first got together.

Great writeup Hadyn,

is skating backwards illegal?

You're not allowed to skate against the flow of the game (anti-clockwise) but if you think you're woman enough to skate backwards *and* put in a body-check, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. I imagine it's a quick way to end up on your ass and haven't really seen anyone try it, however.

Why can't there be roller derby every week?

Sounds like someone needs to learn to skate! Seriously, I'm sore and didn't go through half the crap the girls did. They'll be comparing bruises next practice, that's for sure.

Julie: Everyone starts somewhere. Skating as a kid puts you far ahead of where most of us started out. Google the Pirate City Rollers for Aucklands league if you're interested in skating up north.