Bambi is goin' huntin': Puetas vs Hellcats

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsDpznl8eIs (this was the Hellcats roll out song...sweet)

Realizing that we would be in Texas for a banked track derby was a dream come true...actually seeing the game exceeded all dreams and expectations. It was wild. The Hellcats dominated the game from the start, star jammer Curly Suicide was MAGNIFICENT and her team was so efficient at assisting her through the pack they were awesome.

Banked track derby is quite different to flat track...Smarty picked us up to take us to the bout and in the car she said 'So, ya'll know that the game you are about to see isn't anything like the games you've watched back home', we all nodded eagerly. We all know about the penalty wheel, the arm wrestles and pillow fighting but knowing isn't the same as seeing it in action.

Earlier in the day we all headed over to see the track being set up, it was quite a production - whole lotta tough girls with hammers and power drills. We looked on in awe.

In terms of things derby the game was followed up with us skating a training session with the Hellcats on Monday night. The league has a warehouse with a permanently set up track. It was stifling - it is hitting about 40 degrees of a day here and is pretty humid. Even at 6.30pm everything sticks. Texas skater and previous CRDL training guest legend Cheap Skate took us to training. I had forgotten to take my mouthguard (sorry Mum) so decided my training may be limited but couldn't wait to get on the track. Cheapie asked 'Do what you are comfortable with Bam...is there something in particular you are worried about'. My response 'um, well flying off the track and loosing some teeth' to which Cheapie responded with 'don't worry, that never happens, skaters don't just go flying off the track'. Basically first drill, skater hit the railing and then the floor and then...OUT SHE WENT! Cheapie looked at me with one of her well known grins 'Seriously, that never happens'. We went from the drill into scrimmage, it was SWEET. Skating a banked track which a bunch of Americans is completely different, from the sound of wheels on the boards to the relentless dialogue (often monologue) from the skaters.

Oh, what fun.

Bam

Dear CRDL,

Can we buy a banked track please please please please please???

Yours in anticipation,

Bambi

The bout before the punters arrived