Denver Roller Dolls

June 2010: Denise “Fawn Stalking” Dambrackas

June's featured skater is Fawn Stalking, longtime Denver Roller Doll and member of the Green Barrettes and Bruising Altitude. Fawn is one of the original founding members of our league and a star jammer to boot! Look for Fawn's amazing moves at our next bout. Read on to find out Fawn's thoughts on starting a new league, running her own business, and her advice to new skaters!

You have been with the league for a long time and, in fact, are one of the founders. How did you get into roller derby and what were your first impressions? How have those impressions changed over the years?//

I saw my first bout ever in July of 2005. I was looking for a new sport at the time, and I was intrigued by the idea of being a roller derby girl, but I seriously doubted that I was cut out for it. After a few short minutes of watching girls flail around on the track, fall and fake fight, my ideas about derby changed and I thought that maybe I might give it a try. Being competitive, I thought "I'm already better than her, and her...". Once I showed up to my first practice however, it proved to be a bit more challenging. But I like a challenge. It took a long time before I made a team and there were many times that I was beyond discouraged. I pushed, and practiced and now, it's become part of me. If I hadn't shown up on the derby scene until today, five years later, I don't think that I'd even be able to picture myself skating. It's a completely different game. I'd be so humbled. I feel that I'm only able to compete at the level I do because of the time I was allowed to slowly step up while the sport did.

What was it like building a new league from scratch? What were those early days like?//

When it finally dawned on us all that we were starting a brand new league, I think that everyone was going through similar feelings. We were so hopeful, full of good intentions and big ideas. There was so much work to do, but with every effort and every decision we knew that we were laying the foundation for something that would be around for a long time. The experiences offered to me in working with so many strong-willed, smart and capable women, and learning to hold my own through it all, were invaluable.

You've won a billiards regional championship, were once an aerobics instructor, and have a black belt in Shotokan Karate. How has derby compared to your other athletic pursuits? You retired from karate after 6.5 years. Any plans to retire from derby ever?//

Everything athletic and competitive that I'd done before roller derby was as an individual. The experience of being part of a team was completely new to me, and something that I loved right away. I don't plan to retire from derby as long as it continues to be a challenge and I feel successful on my own terms. I will likely continue until I can't anymore, or until they kick me out, whichever comes first.

You are a full-time graphic designer and run your own business. Has that helped you at all with running the business side of derby? How much is a derby league like any other small business?//

My involvement in business has helped me work with DRD, and vice versa. I've become a better business person because of my work with the DRD. Derby is pretty much like any other small business. The difference, though, for me in working with it is that it's like being part of a team. There are many more people involved in DRD than in my own business, so I have less control in derby. Outside of derby, clients are looking to me for advice on everything, whereas in derby, no single person owns the organization and no one is the ultimate decision maker. Running our roller derby league is a team activity, which it makes it so challenging, but I've learned so much from the experience.

What cross training do you do? What else do you like to do in your spare time?//

I do yoga, long-distance cycling, and am a former runner. In the wintertime I snowboard. I also attend an adult fitness class once a week. In the class I do plyometrics and explosive movements that have really helped me with roller derby. Outside of athletic pursuits, I put a lot of work into my home and gardening. I belong to an underground network of freaks who put on and participate in art events in the area, in a spirit sparked and inspired by Burning Man. I also built a "theme camp" with my best friend starting in 2008 which took my participation in these events and community to a new level. The camp called "XPAT ALIEN" provides themed space for big temporary parties which have been held in a variety of local spaces, in Colorado's Front Range and in the Black Rock desert. It's a not-for-profit venture which was personally funded by the participants, accepts donations and is in the spirit of a gift economy.

You are part of the Training & Recruitment committee in the league, specifically playing the role of Test-Up Coordinator, helping determine when new skaters are ready for scrimmaging or bouting. What's it like wielding such power? Do you have any advice for people wanting to test up?//

It's given me a high level of responsibility and has made me more conscious of the way I conduct myself. I try to be as honest as I can with new skaters, yet kind at the same time. I have to tell girls that if they want to get anywhere in this sport, they will always have to push themselves. The skaters who push themselves the hardest do the best, so I'm always encouraging skaters to recognize their own faults, watch other skaters, and just keep on keeping on.

Read the rest of Denise “Fawn Stalking” Dambrackas's bio here: http://www.denverrollerdolls.org/skaters/bio/fawn-stalking