Skater of the Month - Hullabalou

NAME: HullabaLou

NUMBER: 17

How did you get involved with roller derby?

I met Claire (Goldginger) at work one day who told me about the weird and wonderful Roller Derby – I came to see the next DRG home game and fell in love with the sport & the people in an instant – so signed up for newbies, bought kit and spent the next few months stalking DRG, NSO-ing scrims & watching derby footage (and Whip it on repeat) before new intake started.

Tell us about your derby name and number?

I would like to have an exciting story to tell here but my name came about after multiple google searches of ‘words containing Loo/Lou’ and it was the best of a (very) bad bunch...it is growing on me as it seems quite fitting with the derby ethos and it also makes me laugh far too much when someone calls me baloo for short (the big happy bear from Jungle Book!).

I chose my number because I’m incredibly creative, witty and inventive…yes it’s my birthday…and I didn’t even think of it myself, my sister did!

What is your skate gear of choice?

My skates are R3’s, like a lot of newbies these seemed the best idea for starting out with, although my feet are slowly turning into blistery stumps so will need to change boots quite soon. I initially upgraded the wheels to Poisons for stability (terrible idea for me as I struggle for speed) and then onto 89A Zombies which I am in love with.

For protection I’ve got 187 pro derby pads on knees and elbows (would recommend to anyone!), and have rubbish cheap wrist guards which I plan on changing when I have recovered financially from spending all my money on aforementioned wheels, knee and elbow pads. Sisu mouthguard (still can’t talk with it), and went for S1 lifer helmet as I fall a lot…like a lot…multi-impact protection is my friend.

Before you discovered roller derby were you involved in any other sports/exercise, and if yes how has derby impacted on this?

Nope, I had never played any sport properly more than the odd squash/badminton game or a wee dabble at climbing, and never been in a team before derby either – it’s a very positive learning curve for me having to communicate with other humans! I might even go into a gym now too…maybe.

What is your position of choice?

LOVE ALL THE DERBY… but if I get the opportunity to wear the star then I’ll take it – my brain goes into melt-down while skating and so for me, as jamming involves a lot less of the constant ‘WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO BE?!?!?’ blocking thoughts, I find it a little easier mentally, despite being destroyed physically! Life goal is to be like one of those cool-as-a-cucumber jammers who can move from lane 1 to 4 and back in a nanosecond and leap like a winged gazelle over the apex…but my current strategy centres mainly around PUUUUUUUUSH. Working on becoming a more controlled blocker, it’s just taking a bit longer for my brain to get the hang of all the tactics!

Which teams have you skated with?

I skate with the very bonnie ‘Bonnie Colliders’ (DRG B Team) and am also a very proud member of the Press Gangsters this year, as part of the DRG Home Teams season.

Do you have a pre/post-bout ritual?

Pre-bout I spew a lot

Post-bout I also spew a lot

Many people can verify this, including more recently what looked like the entire Perthshire caravan club, who all parked up nearby as I was chucking up at the side of the motorway before our Newtown B team game. Stay classy kids!

How would you describe your derby playing style, do you have a signature move?

I’m afraid my repertoire of derby talent currently only includes trying to look calm-ish & not spew, and forcing myself to get up straight away after a hit regardless of how much it feels like I’ve been hit by a train…one day I’ll do some cool move…one day…

What is your day job? How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?

I work as a Lab Tech…the less said about that the better…work is work but my attitude towards it is now much more positive as employment enables me to spend money on all things derby. Watching derby footage every lunch break gets me though!

In general, through starting derby, to quote Fresh Prince “my life got flipped-turned upside down” literally. Can’t even begin to describe how much that the confidence and encouragement I get from my new shiny derby pals & from simply playing derby has changed every aspect of my life without writing an entire essay (which I am half-way towards doing already!) so I will sum it up by saying – derby makes me feel like a person again, I matter. Cheeeesy.

Favourite motivational quote?

“You don’t inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire them by showing them how amazing they are”

Who do you choose as next month’s Skater of the Month?

Argh been dreading this question…there are so many people who I want to choose as I’m getting a chance to publically tell them they’re awesome!

I’m going to pass this on to a fellow newbie who is super talented, always supportive and has a great sense of humour, she did her pack-work section of mins through a giant super-pack that consisted of basically THE ENTIRE LEAGUE, it was beautiful, mucho respect…she’s Strong by name and Strong by nature…it’s the fierce & bootylicious Beyonce Knuckles (aka Alana Strong)!!