The Sea to Sky Sirens' ferry ride proved to be a learning experience for the first-year roller derby team.
The Sirens made their way to Gibsons to take on the Sunshine Coast Roller Girls in a scrimmage on Saturday (May 7), returning home with a 127-92 loss but gaining valuable time on the court against more experienced competition.
"Our practice scrimmage turned out to be more of an unofficial bout with refs (traveling all the way from the Fraser Valley Vixens), announcers, tons of volunteers and a huge crowd which made a few of us derby gals a bit nervous, to say the least," said Sirens member Kristi "Roxie Shocker" Anderson.
According to Anderson, the Sirens faced penalty troubles early in the contest but then regrouped at halftime, cutting the Roller Girls' lead significantly.
"After heading to the dressing room and a quick pep talk from our coach, we were back in it to win it," she said. "Ginger Van Detta, Em Appeal, Meg U Miserable, Honey Badger and myself had many awesome jams to add some serious points to the board. Honey Badger, unfortunately, got a game expulsion for too many major penalties and in the end, we were more than thrilled with the Sunshine Coast Roller Girls' 127 points to our 92."
For Anderson, it was her first time in a bout atmosphere and she said it was a thrilling experience.
"It was my very first scrimmage with the team and I found it to be exhilarating," she said. "On the track the girls are unrelenting and once it's done it's hugs and high fives. The camaraderie between derby sisters is indescribable. I do have to admit that I am very sore on my upper half. Jammers do take a beating."
Sirens team member Shannon "Mala Justed" Handley agreed with Anderson that it was a good first bout for the team.
"This weekend was awesome," she said. "We lost 127-92 but as a team we made huge improvements in our defence. The girls from Gibsons were amazing hosts and we drew 100-plus spectators not bad for something they threw together at the last minute."
The opposing team was pleased to be hosting the Sirens and appreciated the ladies making the trip.
"You could tell the momentum of the amateur sport of roller derby is here by the size of crowd in the stands," said Dorothy Ray, president of the Sunshine Coast Roller Girls League. "The fans winced when they heard the hits and gasped when they felt the crack of gear hitting the concrete. This sport is not for the weak of heart."
Next up for the Sirens will be a bout against the Anarchy Angels, which will take place during the Cloverdale Rodeo on May 22. The team will then host the first of four Squampton Summer Open scrimmages starting on May 29 at Brennan Park Arena.
For more information on the team, visit www.squamishrollerderby.yolasite.com or check out their Facebook page by typing "Squamish Womens Roller Derby" into the search bar.
With files from Ian Jacques, Coast Reporter
