- Aphrobitey-first class of the BRRG’s PyroManiacs!
Skater Name: Aphrobitey
AKA: Bitey
Q:What sports did you do before derby?
I played CYO sports very poorly in grade school and I joined the reserve tennis team after not making the high school volleyball team. I don’t think I have ever put this much work into a sport before. Even my dad was surprised when I told him about this because I’ve never been very athletic.
Q: So, what first attracted you to BRRG?
I became interested in derby overall because I follow pamie.com. In Sept ’08, the author Pamela Ribon started posting about how she had joined the LA Derby Dolls. She was posting different videos and information about derby on her blog. The videos made me go “I want to do *that*.” One of the videos she posted was the 2008 ESPN Outside the Lines piece . The quote that I most related to was “I had two female friends in my life before I started roller derby. Two. Now I have eighty. That’s a big deal.” That was me; I’m that girl who had very few female friends. Flash forward to 2010, I had more time on my hands, so I joined wRECk, and with a little pushing I decided I was going to do Fresh Meat August and voila!.
Q:What bit of advice do you have for girls out there who are on the fence about joining derby?
Just do it! It is a challenge, but worth every ache and pain. You will be surprised what you can do. Also, start working out now.
Q:What did you think when you were watching your first derby practice as a recruitee?
I came to an open practice a few months after I had been going to wRECk, so it wasn’t totally foreign to me, but it looked faster and harder.
Q:Were there any “ah ha!” moments for you as you were in the Fresh Meat stages of the game?
Fresh Meat feels so long ago, yet it is hard to believe I’m going into my eighth month of being a member of the league.
Q: So now, eight months later, What do you think it takes to become a top-notch skater?
Dedication and confidence in your skills
Q:Do you have any goals for your upcoming training, as you continue to work with the Pyros?
I’ve been trying to increase my off skates training. My personal goals are to get better at hitting and to keep my feet moving.
Q:What do you do for fun when you’re not doing derby?
There is a life outside of derby? Seriously though, I like to hang out with friends, watch TV, playing catch up on my movie pop culture education and knit. I’m usually up for trying something new.
Q:Tell our fans one fun fact about you:
I was a swing and blues dancer for seven years. I consider myself retired now.
Wanna join Aphrobitey and the rest of the BRRG on the track? Now’s your chance! E-mail recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com to receive up-to-date info on derby training, workouts, gear workshops and try-outs. Details.