Featured Skater

How long have you been skating?

I used to do a lot of inline skating pre-derby, but I have only been skating on Quad skates for about 3 years. When I first starting derby, I was not very stable on my skates. But with a lot of hard work, determination, and encouragement from my fellow derby sisters, I progressed quickly.

 

How did you pick your derby name?

I had kicked around several names. My husband, Coach Sk8 O’Masochist, and I were sitting around trying to come up with ideas. He came up with a lot of names and none of them really sounded like me… but Rainbow Frite, taken from Rainbow Brite, stuck with me. I’m an 80s child, and who doesn’t love Rainbow Brite? I also have a nickname, Skittles, due to one of the vets my first year. She couldn’t remember my name and kept calling me Skittles.

 

What has been the highlight of your derby career?

The friends I have made playing derby, the team mates, the brother’s and sister’s I have gained, the fans that come out to every single game …those are my highlights!  My mom, dad and brother are dedicated fans and my aunt and uncle come to every game to take pictures for our league (Hotch Studios). There is nothing better than playing the game you love with people you want to be around and having the crowd roar on a Saturday night!

 

What does being a Blacksnake member mean to you?

Being a Blacksnake means so much. It means hard work, commitment, determination, sacrifice, and above all compassion and sportsmanship. We are all dedicated to our league and our community. I am so proud to be a Blacksnake Roller Girl! I say this all the time, but I can’t say it enough. This league is amazing. If someone is hurt or having a hard time in life, our league doesn’t just stand behind a person, we walk with them and help them out. Whether it be taking food and supplies to an injured skater or helping a fellow league mate that has lost everything in a fire; our league steps up to make sure we take care of those in need. Knowing how many people are there to support one another is a really great feeling. The Blacksnake community is amazing!

 

What your favorite aspect of M.A.D.E.?

I love the fast-paced, hard-hitting action that M.A.D.E has to offer. I have watched WFTDA games and enjoy those as well! But I really fell in love with the M.A.D.E rules!

 

What's your signature move?

My signature move would be the forward shoulder block (the d-bag block). I use a lot of different blocks, but that one would be the one that is my signature move. I also like what my team calls “feeding the shark”. One our blockers will pin an opposing blocker behind them so that another blocker from our team can make the hit while the opposing blocker is being distracted by the positional blocking. Hence, feeding the shark! (Commonly known as a Sit and Hit)

 

M.A.D.E. Nationals are coming up this October. Will you be participating?

Yes! Our All-Star team is looking forward to this event! It will be amazing to compete with teams from all over and meet new derby people! We are really excited about this!

 

Playing Roller Derby isn't easy. Do you have any words of advice for novice skaters?

My advice to new skaters is always DON’T GIVE UP. To quote the great Yoda, “Do. Or do not. There is no try”. In the beginning, you have to push your body to uncomfortable limits. Getting low might sound easy, but it’s difficult until you have developed the muscles and the correct stance. I always tell our new girls to keep going in drills and don’t stop. Even if you feel you are going slower than others, keep going and keep moving your feet. The more you push yourself, the easier it gets. On the other side of that, I also tell them to know their body. We tend to get stubborn as athletes when it comes to injuries. If you get injured, take the time to heal. Too often I see skaters that will get hurt and come right back to the game, only to get injured again. You are no good to your team if you can’t play!

 

What non-derby related hobbies do you have?

I like to garden and spend time with my husband and 4 year-old son. I like playing MMORPG, Magic the Gathering, watching anything science fiction, and really anything else that fits into the nerd category! Anytime I can be with family and friends is something I enjoy as well.  We did recently put in a fire pit so we have been having bonfires at our house. It is a great way to relieve stress!

 

Anything else you'd like to say.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank some people. First, Liz Manley (aka Notorious L.I.Z). She is one the strongest women I have met. She has endured so much and still emerges victorious for her family and friends. Without her, we wouldn’t have our league. Thank you so much for creating this league; it has been life changing.

 

To all of our coaches (Coach Sk8 O’Masochist, Coach Quad Father, Coach Chadillac, Coach Daddy Rampage, Coach Dane-ger, Coach Price Price Baby, Coach “I” for an Eye, Coach Patsy Crime, Coach 2° Marie, Coach Goldieblocks). You guys and gals are freaking awesome. The hours of preparation you put into every practice and game is awesome. While you might feel underappreciated at times, please know that all of us skaters would not be where we are without you there pushing us! It takes special people to deal with 50+ women skaters, and all of you do this without hesitation! You put up with the stubbornness, the drama, the smell from unwashed pads…and yet you still show up, volunteering to make this league and our skaters better. Thank you so much for everything you do!

 

To my fellow captains (Des’amator, Hotness Monster, Block-N-DeckHer, Little Miss Rampage, Lucy Brawler, SiNister Ann, and SkinHer for Dinner.) Thank you for always being there for one another. Even though we are all on different teams, I know that each and every one of you is willing to do what is needed to better the league. I am so lucky to call you my sisters and look forward to what lies in store for us in the future!

 

To all the refs (Reftacular, Ref Solo Cup, Brad-Reputation and so many other refs and NSOs, announcers, EVERY ONE that helps on game day.)  Thank you for being there to make sure we play safely and respectfully. I know at times, you probably get an ear full from captains and coaches. But we appreciate all the time that you put in so that we can hold our scrimmages and bouts. We know all the extra hours you put in for training and reffing other leagues, and for that, thank you! Without our volunteers, we would not be able to put on such amazing bouts!

 

To Dead Girl Derby, our sister league. Thank you for your guidance and assistance with our league. There are so many coaches and skaters that have impacted me. There are so many I can’t list them all here, but again I just want to say thank you and I look forward to anytime I get to spend with you on or off the track!

 

To my team, the Rushin’ Rollettes. Every single one of you pushes to be the best athlete you can be. You show up to practice and are ready to learn and push yourselves. I just want to say thank you for everything you do on and off the track. I would not be able to play the way I do without all of us working together. Truly, thank you and keep it up!

 

To my league. You are all the most craziest, awesome people I know. Thank you for making this league what it is. We continuously push each other and want to see everyone succeed. We never leave anyone behind and instead, bring them with us on this crazy journey of roller derby. We are all on this crazy ride of life together, might as well derby it up!