HEIDI DOOMPacific Roller Derby

This Month the Stars of Roller Derby features #00 from Pacific Roller Derby. Her Journey began in 2013 after watching a little movie called Whip It.

She has been hooked ever since. So, lets get to know Heidi Doom!

What attracted you to Roller Derby?

After I saw the movie Whip It I couldn't stop thinking about roller derby. My husband and I were about to move from Hawaii to Florida so he could go to school. Once we moved I was working from home and didn't know anyone. I also had no idea how to start over and make friends in a new place. My husband said I needed to find something for me, so I started googling and found SFDD (Sintral Florida Demons).

Can you tell us about your derby journey as a Newbie?

I went to one practice and was hooked. My life changed forever. It started as just something fun but became something that empowered me, inspired me, and connected me with the most incredible people.

Do you have a pre-game ritual?

I definitely eat a good meal. I usually braid my hair and always do my make-up so I feel my best and like how the bout day pictures look

What is your position of choice? Why?

I used to be a jammer back in Florida, but now I am a pivot. I love pivoting, because I enjoy working with my team in shutting the opposing jammer down, but I also get to jam when my jammer passes the panty. Last season I got an award for pivoting the most jams for the 2019 season.

How would you describe your playing style?

My team calls me a crab because if I am successful in being the last blocker while

my teammates bridge, I do this low wide shuffle to hold the jammer until the pack

moves up and we can reabsorb the jammer.

What’s the last YouTube video you watched?

Because of the corona virus, we are currently social distancing so there is no derby

practice. That being said I have been watching a lot of jam skating videos and am

trying to learn crazy legs in my garage.

What was your most memorable derby moment?

Over the past 7 years there is just too many to choose. With my old team we had some

legendary after parties. Those skaters are my Florida family. Now I would say being general

manager of PRD is a honor and feels like a huge culmination of my derby story.

Who are your derby heroes?

In Florida there is a married couple named Mama and Vi who are good friends of mine,

they no longer skate, but they are the ones who taught me to skate. They were so badass,

yet patient, and humble.

Photo Credit: Eric Matthew Leifer

What did derby teach you about yourself?Derby has taught me to love my broad shoulders. It has taught me that strong is sexy (instead of believing for so long that being slender was the only sexy). It has taught me that investing in others feels better then investing in yourself. The amount of pride I have in our new skaters is so rewarding.

What advice do you have for people who want to play roller derby?Don't let the fact you don't have skates, or have never skated, or are out of shape, or whatever excuse your mind is telling you, stop you from googling teams in your area and checking them out. A lot of teams have loaner gear you can borrow or rent, and the skaters who teach the fresh meat often have the biggest hearts and just want you to succeed. Roller Derby is for everyone. If you can't skate for whatever reason, teams are always looking for non-skating officials, refs, and loyal fans to be part of their team family.

Interview by CJ Summers www.rollerderbynationunited.com