FEATURED SKATER: TYPHOID MAGGIE
SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2016
Photo by Jammer Line
What position(s) do you play?
ALL THE POSITIONS!! Over the past couple seasons I’ve been bouting as a jammer, but I try to practice as both a blocker and a jammer. I want to be versatile. Like the Swiss Army knife of roller derby.
Who’s your biggest fan?
My kids. They love their Hammer City shirts and want to learn to skate.
What’s your favourite thing about roller derby?
Playing roller derby! Although I have to take enough Immodium on bout day to stop a freight train, bouting is still the highlight for me. Of course I love the camaraderie, the physical activity, and all the other stuff, but I adore bout day.
What’s your most memorable derby moment?
I have a memory like Swiss cheese, so I can’t think of one singular anecdote that I would deem most memorable. When I’m old and grey I will look back on my derby days with a general foggy fondness that includes lots of good times. Oh – I got to meet V-DIVA when we played Philly’s B team. She is HUGE.
Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
See comment about Immodium above. After the bout is over I eat a bag of delicious, sweet snap peas. When I’m having a particularly bad jam, I remind myself that I get to eat snap peas soon. They keep me motivated, even when I’m outclassed by the opposing team. I’m all about the simple pleasures in life.
What advice would you give someone interested in playing derby?
Everyone says, “Just do it – you won’t be sorry” and I don’t disagree with that, but I would advise that any person who is on the fence should watch some derby on wftda.tv, fall in love with the game, and then just do it. You won’t be sorry. I would also note that if they try it and find that skating is not their thing, they can always stay within the derby community by volunteering, coaching, or officiating (on or off skates).
Who do you want to give a shout-out to?
Our volunteers and officials! They are often overlooked and taken for granted but we could not play derby if they didn’t give up their precious time for our beloved game. Thank you volunteers and officials!!! [envision me blowing all the kisses and doing a dance of appreciation in your general direction]
