It’s an interesting experience, skating with a different league. There’s new venues, new drills, new strategies, new dynamics, new expectations. And of course, there are a whole bunch of new people to skate with.

I’m one of the founding members of my league. I’m one of the senior skaters, and am on a bouting team. I’ve organised a big league fundraiser. I’m on the executive committee. I’m deeply involved in discussions about the future of the league. I know that people in my league respect my opinion and appreciate the work I put in. I’m not trying to say I’m unusual for that – there are plenty of hugely dedicated people in my league. What I’m trying to say is that in VDL, I have a particular role and reputation, and that gives me a certain confidence. So when you find yourself in a group where you have yet to prove yourself, it’s a lot like being the new kid at school.

I’m pretty shy. Once I get to know people a bit I’m usually fine, but it takes me a lot of effort to overcome the initial anxiety I feel at meeting new people and being in unfamiliar situations, especially social situations. But one of the most wonderful aspects of roller derby is that whatever league you go to, chances are it’s going to be full of awesome people who will make you feel welcome.

The Wenches have been amazing. They’ve made being in an unfamiliar country and city so much easier. They are really quite spectacular human beings.

Here’s some of them at the graduation they had for their newest Wenches last night.

They are pretty great skaters too. I love skating with people who inspire me to try harder, to get more skilled, to be fearless. So to find that here is really cool.

At the graduation they presented the freshly-minted Wenches with their own scrim shirts. Check ‘em out.

Radness!

They’re all going off to a tournament in France (how friggin awesome is that?!) over the Easter weekend, so that means my last training session with them will be tomorrow evening.

ALL OF THE SADFACE.