Spotlight: Grizzly Barrett

Check out that fierce helmet Grizzly painted!

Name: Grizzly Barrett 

Number: 046 

Position: Blocker 

Tell us about your non-derby self: By day or sometimes night I am a radiology student. I take x-rays and try to make people feel even a tiny bit better about their hospital stay. In my spare time, besides derby, I have several different hobbies. I love to paint, draw, and do all things artistic. I also love to be outdoors hiking, swimming, or lazing about. People say I have a song for every situation. I love to sing, and random spoken words may or may not cause me burst out in song. 

Were you a fan of the Dire Skates before joining? I hadn’t actually ever been to a game before I joined the Dire Skates. 

Why did you join roller derby?: I joined roller derby because I wanted to become a stronger me. Part of it was just to prove to myself that I could, and then I fell in love with derby.

What is your favorite part of roller derby?: My favorite part of roller derby is getting to know and being around all of my amazingly strong teammates. They have really supported me, some of them literally pushing/pulling me along, when all I wanted to do was give up. 

What are your roller derby goals?: After passing my laps, my biggest goal is to learn as much about the game as I can. I also want to work more on transitions and backwards skating. 

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond?: I just hope more girls will join and have a healthy outlet to express themselves. I know when I’ve had a bad day; a roller derby practice is the quickest cure. 

What are you skating on right now?: A pair of used Riedell Carrera’s I picked up online for $5. Best deal ever! They needed a few alterations, new homemade straps and bigger shoe strings, but they’ll do until I get some new ones. 

If you could skate anywhere, anytime, where and when would it be and why?: I wish I could skate around the town I live in, but the roads are way too rough and there aren’t any paved trails. 

Tell us one thing you want us to know about yourself: I’m super loyal and will stick by my friends and family no matter what. 

Tell us one thing about another skater: All of my teammates have been amazing, but Terah pushed me super hard to pass my laps and she’s an awesome trainer!

Spotlight: SeanA the Dead

Name: SeanA the Dead

Number: 168   

Position: Blocker 

Tell us about your non-derby self:  

Well I am a wife and mother of three. I work with children/teens/adults on the Autism Spectrum, which is where my # comes from--1 in 68 are diagnosed on the spectrum. Awareness and acceptance is very near and dear. In my small bits of free time I enjoy being crafty. 

Were you a fan of the Dire Skates before joining?  

Not as much as I should have been! I had heard about the team and thought how awesome the whole sport seemed to be.

Why did you join roller derby? 

So many different reasons. First off I wanted to be a part of something. I also wanted to do something for me. As a mom I didn't get out and have my own time and this seemed like the perfect outlet for that. 

What is your favorite part of roller derby?

 I love the ladies on the team. They have all been supportive and are great at including us "fresh meat" in various things going on with the team. I also love the new found confidence I have in myself. I feel fit and healthier. I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I enjoy knowing that I have pushed myself a lot over the last few months, not only physically, but mentally. When I accomplish something new I feel so proud of myself. All in all it has been nothing but positive. 

What are your roller derby goals? 

Since I just accomplished my biggest goal (27/5) I have a whole new derby chapter opening up. I have to learn the game! I hope to not be so hard on myself as I learn.  

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond? 

I hope that the team can continue to being something positive about our town. In all of the hard times our community has recently come into I hope that people continue to see what all we really have to offer! 

What are you skating on right now? 

Riedell R3 with Radar Villain wheels. Soon to be upgraded to a harder wheel, still searching the internet for what I want. 

If you could skate anytime, anywhere. Where would it be and why? 

I would have to say in this cool weather being out on the trail in all of the beautiful fall colors would be quite pleasant. 

If you could have famous person dead or alive join the team, who would it be and why? 

Ummm. I think too much on questions like this. I really don't know who I would choose... 

Tell us one thing you want us to know about you: 

I work hard and try to be the best I can be in all that I do. I take on a lot and do my best to be successful with it. Which can be bad, too, because when it takes me awhile I am my own worst critic. I try to think of the positive side of it though, it means I push myself to be better and I can't be upset with that.  

Tell us one thing about another skater: 

Just one? I can't choose just one. They have all been awesome and helped me along the start of my derby journey.

Spotlight: Bilbo Stabbins

Name: Bilbo Stabbins

Number: 42 (The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything!)

Position: blocker

Tell us about your non-derby self: I am a married mother of two. I am an English professor. I enjoy renaissance festivals, zombies, reading, crafts, and naps.

Were you a fan of the Dire Skates before joining?: YES! I loved coming to the games and one day I just said “I have to do this.”

Why did you join roller derby?: I wanted to be a part of something that seemed really fun. Derby is accepting of all types of women and it empowers them to be the best version of themselves. We need more of that in the world.

What is your favorite part of roller derby?: It’s great exercise, the other women are amazing and inspiring, and it’s really just fun to skate around and knock over people.

What are your roller derby goals?: I hope to become stronger and more agile so I can be a good asset to the team. I also hope I can become a better player who inspires others to come play derby!

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond?: I hope the Dire Skates can inspire young women and young people to get active physically, to get proactive about achieving his or her personal goals (even if they are not derby-related), and to get active in the community.

What are you skating on right now?: I am on Riedell Rogues, with Atom Poison Wheels (for Townsend) or Fugitives (for The Skate) and Reds bearings.

If you could skate anywhere, anytime, where and when would it be and why?: Most of the places I would like to visit don’t have the terrain to allow for skating, but it would be pretty fun to skate around in The Colosseum or around the halls of the White House. Ooh, wait, the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, Buckingham Palace…I am indecisive. Everywhere. That’s my answer.

If you could have any famous person alive or dead join Dire Skates, who would it be and why?: Amanda Palmer, Melissa McCarthy, Pink, Tina Fey…basically any fun and/or smart woman, including some friends who I hope join in the future. I want to sweat all over my favorite women.

Tell us one thing you want us to know about yourself: I like to dance, but only in kitchens.

Tell us one thing about another skater: Terahrizin is an amazing motivator especially when she is singing Olivia Newton-John, DJ Smear-O has knives for bones, and Dragon Balllzy is so hot, but it’s a trick! She is strong and fast and will knock you over, cracking your tailbone, and leaving you in the dust. Brutal.

Vet Profile: Terahrizin

Name: Terahrizin 

Number: 0507 

Position: blocker/jammer 

Signature move: (I don't have one... Get in the way maybe?) 

Tell us about your non-derby self: I am mother of 2 and the Executive Director of the Peer Helper Program at Richmond High School. 

Why did you join roller derby?: it seemed like a good idea at the time. Ha! Just kidding. I tried out on a whim not thinking I would make it, but really wanting to try something different and out of my comfort zone. 

What is your favorite part of roller derby?: the sisterhood and the personal gains I am making.

What are your roller derby goals?: to get stronger and faster and be a regular jammer. But also be versatile and effective in every role.

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond?: I hope we can empower as many people as possible to step outside the box. Also to provide family fun to the community and get everyone involved and sharing passion for charity/volunteer work. 

What are you skating on right now?: Crazy Skates with Atom wheels.

If you could skate anywhere, anytime, where and when would it be and why? I would love to skate through the halls of the high school lol, but a far off dream would be to skate with some of the big names in derby: Hot Wheels, Quadrilles Atomatrix, Bonnie Thunder, etc. 

If you could have any famous person alive or dead join Dire Skates, who would it be and why?: I don’t know.

Tell us one thing you want us to know about yourself: on the weekends I moonlight as personal security and entertainment for BadAzz Mothercutter.

Tell us one thing about another skater: Ruby Kaboom is a ninja.