Twas the Night Before FreshMeat...

(Actually it was the week before, but that heading sounds so much better)

Rick and I have been hanging out to take derby photos so we thought we would go and visit the Swamp City Roller Rats at their training nights.

Sunday night was the league training night, and as we drove down the road to LeisurePlex, we spotted the league training out on the street. On such a beautifully warm evening I could definitely see the appeal in skating outside!

Not knowing how long they were out and about for, I rushed to set up my camera, and the first lot of photos I could capture had the sun shining right at me! I suppose it really gives them all a bit of a magical glow...


Then watching them train under the guidance of Justass was hilarious. It is amazing the tools they can find outside the track to help with training!


Grass Running?

Sign jumping?

Ummm...

Then it was off for more training inside LeasurePlex. The new rules that have been set means that the beginning of a jam is a lot faster than it used to be. Luckily for me this seems to be the only rule change that will affect photography, and only until I get used to it.

The league are working their way through the other changes. I didn't realise there were so many, and these really will change the way they play. The first few bouts will be interesting to see how everyone settles into the new rules!

Now for a really fun night.

We popped down to the FreshMeat night on Monday night. The official start of this round of FreshMeat isn't until next Monday 18th, so you still have time to get down and check it out.

What I saw was a great collection of people (male and female) at many different levels of skating skills... from Underage Rage who seems to have been born with skates on her feet, to a lovely lady who put skates on for the very first time that night. And she did amazingly well!

As everyone is at different skill and fitness levels there were quite a few league members there to give a helping hand, helping skaters one on one, and occasionally encouraging people to stop talking to the wall and get back out.

If nothing else, the fitness that is achieved from skating is incredible. You can do it all at your own speed (which for me would not be very fast!) and your skills improve along with your fitness.

But there is also the comraderie, the feeling of team spirit and knowing that you are not going to be laughed at when you land on your bum (unless it is a really spectacular fall). This is why I love photographing this sport. There is always someone smiling, someone lending a hand, and a whole team that you can fall back on when you need to.

So if you want to have a look at Roller Derby, DO IT! This Monday night is FreshMeat. You do not need to be a top skater, you just need a sense of adventure and the fortitude to stick with it while you are learning. It is a great sport, filled with fun and skill, and gives Rick and me so many opportunities to capture images that we love!

Check out Swamp City Roller Rats FaceBook page for more info. They also have a blogspot that will give you a real insight as to why people join Roller Derby. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151295597607638.460555.118890772637&type=1#!/swampcityrollerrats