This month the spotlight shines on three time award winner Motor Vader, a skater who lives up to her name and then some. She is one of the league’s many cheerleaders and one of the resident geeks to boot.
Name: Motor Vader
Number: 501st
Team: G.I. Janes, All-Stars
Member of OCDG since: 2014
Give us a quick ‘n dirty rundown of who you are.
I was born in London, Ontario. Many years later I was teaching English and Dramatic Arts at a high school in Mississauga when I was reading the paper in the staff room and saw an advertisement for a science fiction convention in Toronto. I had always wanted to go to one, so I did so and became a yearly volunteer at the event. Fast forward a few more years, and I meet my now husband at the event. He is military, and eventually he whisks me away to start a long, wonderful adventure across Canada as we are posted from province to province.
Is there a story behind your name/number?
Because of my love of skating as a child, I was fortunate that my time in Fresh Meat could be spent learning the more advanced skills of derby, and not having to learn to skate. But some of my Fresh Meat colleagues were learning to function on these rolling boots for the first time, and I was always willing to share tips and tricks for learning benchmarking skills, and did so with a smile and laugh along the way. “You’re so motivating!” was the generous compliment given to me by a newer skater, and the idea of being known as the motivator pleased me greatly. Trying to choose a derby name, I started played around with the word motivating…motivation…motivator. My love of science fiction kicked in on that last word, and MOTO VADER was born. “Huh? I don’t get it!” was the first reaction to the name, and it was quickly changed by my Fresh Meat mates to MOTOR VADER. The number, 501st, is a nod to the 501st Legion, a group of worldwide group of fans who promote Star Wars through costuming and charity events.
How, when, and why did you get started in roller derby?
My first skates had metal wheels and a leather strap that fastened at the ankle, and a key that adjusted the clips at my toes. I wore the key around my neck and skated along the sidewalk, bumping over each crack humming, “I’ve got a brand new pair of rollerskates…” Cliché, I know, but I loved to skate.
A friend of mine didn’t have any skates, so I shared mine with her – but not in the taking turns kind of way. We thought it would be a great idea to each wear one of them, and we would try to coast down the drive way arm in arm, each on one foot. We were unsuccessful, of course, and spent most of our time tumbling onto the grass in a heap of laughter. A nasty spill and my first bout of (what I now know to affectionately call) rink rash put an end to our duo of skating, but not to my love of zipping around on 8 wheels.
Most of my preteen years were spent in a roller rink. In my hometown, Wheels was where all the cool kids went to skate – I went to Roller Palace. I made no pretense on pretending to be cool when I knew I wasn’t. Besides, Roller Palace wasn’t as busy, and I could skate around much faster there. Speed was the key.
Although roller rinks fell out of fashion with fickle teens, I held on as long as I could before the roller rinks in my area closed their doors. Inline skating became popular through my teens and early 20’s, and I owned a few variations of inline skates, but it was never quite the same.
So when much to my surprise roller derby emerged as a sport in my adult life, I just knew I had to play. I married a military man and we were stationed in Cold Lake when I first saw the advertisement for the local team. I was so excited at the opportunity to be back on 8 wheels! I enrolled in the Lakeland Ladykiller’s Fresh Meat program in 2011, and have been skating ever since. My biggest fear when my husband and I received notice that he was going to be posted to another city, was that I needed to be somewhere that had Roller Derby! Fortunately it was Edmonton, and OCDG became my new derby home.
Why did you pick OCDG for your league?
While any of the area teams would have been a welcome home, OCDG just seemed to fit for me. They embraced my crazy.
What position do you like to play the most and why?
I love being a blocker, particularly on the inside line. I enjoy being in a jammer’s way!
What is your best derby memory?
My favourite personal derby moment was OCDG’s 2014 Prom. The derby family love in that room was like a warm blanket over all our shoulders. I am fortunate to be a member of this league.
Any plans or goals for your future in roller derby?
When I started this sport, because of my age, I thought I only had a few years to play before I needed to retire. Then I found the Facebook group Derby Over 40 and discovered that women in their 50’s and 60’s continue to play and even learn the sport for the first time. I plan on skating as long as I am able.
Have any advice for future skaters (fresh meat)?
Never be embarrassed or afraid to ask for assistance in learning a specific skill.
My favourite part of Fresh Meat was time with veteran skaters, asking zillions of questions about skating techniques and the game itself. Find someone you are comfortable with and pick their brains! Come ask me! If I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does.
Thanks Motor. It was a pleasure to have you as our master of ceremonies for the Xmas party festivities, and might I just add – “WOW”.