Introducing Pikes Peak Roller Derby’s ASCENDERS PROGRAM!

Beginning Sunday, July 21st PPRD is officially recruiting skaters ALL YEAR ROUND!
PPRD Recruit Nights used to be twice a year. We look forward to being accessible to more of our community and potential skaters by offering this skate basics style practice all year round. In the Ascenders Program, we work with you to learn basic derby skills at your own pace. We will show you how to stop, turn around, skate backwards, fall safely, and more!
Visit our Join page for more information on participating in this program.

Support for Kristen Parker (#13) and Her Family

Kristen Parker, or Parker to those of us in her Derby Family, was involved in a serious car accident on February 9, 2023. She sustained major injuries and faces a long road to recovery. Parker is such a fighter and an amazing person to be around. She inspires every person she comes in contact with and is an invaluable member of our league and derby family. While she’s recovering, she and her family could really use your support.

Not much is known yet about what her recovery will look like, but doctors are being positive. Right now, the important thing is taking as much concern off of her family as possible so they can be with her and each other. This GoFundMe is meant to help with everyday living expenses such as mortgage payments, food, gas to and from the hospital, and anything else they need right now.

Please join us in helping our derby sister and her loved ones during this difficult time.

PPRD Logo Contest

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

If you haven’t heard, Pikes Peak Derby Dames are excited to share that we are changing our name to Pikes Peak Roller Derby to more accurately represent our community and the evolvement of the sport!

Our league is committed to diversity, equity and inclusivity. As such, we recognize that “Dames” is not demonstrative of the inclusivity that we value. We are committed to inclusive and anti-discriminatory practices in regard to all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants.  We are excited to introduce a name that is better representative of our diverse league.

In preparation for our rebranding, we are launching a contest for design of our new logo!

The requirements for design submission are as follows

  • Should display “Pikes Peak Roller Derby” or “PPRD”
  • File must be in vector, and either PNG or JPG format
  • Must have transparent background
  • Provide color and black and white versions
  • Color version must include these color codes
    • #e72279 – Pink
    • 75b840 – Green
    • #000000 – Black
  • Horizontal, vertical, and square versions are encouraged but not required

The winner will get two passes to the 2022 bout of their choice, and a swag bag!

Please submit entries to marketing@pikespeakderbydames.com by August 1, 2022.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s break the stigma!

One of our members shares her story and feelings on this important topic:

“One of the most important issues that our current society needs to deal with is the stigma surrounding mental health. For far too long, people have been shamed or thought of as less than because they may not experience this existence in the same way as what is deemed normal. As someone who was diagnosed at a young age with a mental health condition, it was a constant struggle to find the proper medical and therapeutic care to fit my personal brain chemistry. It sometimes seemed like I was a test subject when it came to figuring out what medications worked without making me a complete zombie, or finding which therapist or psychologist was going to treat the cause and not just numb the symptoms. I didn’t find the proper balance of meds and therapy until I was in my late 30’s. While treatments within the mental health community have improved immensely since my diagnosis, more work still needs to be done. But this isn’t something that most people are comfortable talking about. How can we fix something that no one wants to acknowledge? Visibility matters. If I had heard stories when I was younger of other people who had my mental condition thriving, I feel like my journey may have been much easier and healthier. Taking away that shame factor is so important. Educating people on how their brain works is so important. Understanding emotions and what is creating those feelings is so important. In my opinion, this is no different than treating any other medical condition. We are only endangering ourselves and others when we don’t treat mental health conditions in the same way as any other health issue. So I hope more people start to speak up about their own personal experiences. I hope people start to feel more comfortable about reaching out when they need help. Let’s start having those hard conversations and breaking that stigma so everyone has a better chance at healing.”

https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

Pikes Peak Derby Dames Change Name to Reflect Inclusivity

Introducing, Pikes Peak Roller Derby

BIG NEWS!

Pikes Peak Derby Dames are excited to share that we are changing our name to Pikes Peak Roller Derby (PPRD)! This name change was driven by the need to more accurately represent our skate community and the evolvement of the sport.

Founded in 2005, PPRD is Colorado Springs’ first and only flat track roller derby league and a 501(c)7 nonprofit sports organization. Our mission is to foster athleticism, personal empowerment, and community relationships through playing and promoting the fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport of flat track roller derby. PPRD provides an equal opportunity for athletes of all skill levels and abilities to succeed by discovering strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and challenging themselves, both on and off the track. PPRD has been a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), the international governing body of the sport since 2005. WFTDA recently expanded upon its gender policy and protections for athlete gender identity, prompting name change discussion within the league.

Our league is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. As such, we recognize that “Dames” is not demonstrative of the inclusivity that we value. We are committed to inclusive and anti-discriminatory practices in regard to all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants.  We are excited to introduce a name that is better representative of our diverse league. The name change was approved by league vote in March of this year.

While you will still see PPDD in media content and our uniforms, fans can expect to see a full roll out of PPRD by 2023.

PPDD’s 1st Annual Slim Skatey Memorial Build for Habitat for Humanity

 

On February 28, 2020, Pikes Peak Derby Dames member, Crystal Roti, affectionately known to us as Slim Skatey, died suddenly in a tragic accident. Slim was a beloved member of PPDD, who had only just begun to make her mark on our league, and our hearts. Our members were still processing the devastating loss of our derby sister as the pandemic took over the world, preventing us from properly memorializing her like we wanted to at the time.

Now, as we’re finally able to slowly get back to doing what we love most (devoting our lives to PPDD and roller derby), we’re excited to announce the first Annual PPDD Slim Skatey Memorial Habitat for Humanity Build. On September 25th, PPDD members will be volunteering for Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity and working on the construction of a home in their Sand Creek complex. This development will “help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter,” by providing 30 affordable homes to deserving homeowners in the Pikes Peak region.

You can contribute to our build by donating at https://pikespeakhabitat.org/donation/, and directing your donation to “The Ridge at Sand Creek Neighborhood in Colorado Springs.” If you’d also like to dedicate your donation to Slim Skatey, check the “Dedicate this gift” box, select the “In Memory” dedication type, and type in “Crystal Roti/Slim Skatey.”

While we’ll sadly never get to know what Slim might have accomplished on or off the track, we hope to continue her legacy and honor her memory with this annual day of giving back to our community in her name. Continue reading to learn more about Slim, and read some of our members’ thoughts and memories that were collected shortly after her passing.

About Slim Skatey #21

It feels impossible to find the words to describe Slim and what she meant to us as individuals and as a league as a whole.

Slim was easily recognized on the track by her black and green skates, long braided hair and the large “21” on her back. Known for her agile moves and amazing hockey stops, it was a pleasure to watch her skate and to skate alongside her. While with the Pikes Peak Derby Dames, Slim was recruited to the Danger Dolls as her home team and was working hard at becoming an active member of the Slamazons. Derby and skating were her passions and they ran deep⎯everything she did reflected her love of the sport. Always one of the first players at practice, her love and dedication to the craft was obvious to all around her.

Slim was a teacher and a student, willing to help and receive help on and off the track. She could break down derby moves into a science, making them feel obtainable to anyone she was helping, and she helped so many. She wanted everyone to succeed and love skating as much as she did. Slim spent countless weekend mornings with her friends and fellow teammates at El Pomar skate park, working on skills, offering advice, and creating lifelong bonds. Off-skates, Slim was known for her snapback hats, involvement in politics, quick sense of humor, and love of bread. If someone was in need of a friend, Slim was there.

Our league was hit hard with the loss of Slim. She is so important to so many people, and many were just getting the opportunity to know her. Her light will never leave us and she will never be forgotten.

PPDD Member Memories of Slim

“Slim was exceptional all around. She was determined, agile, and dedicated. She was a positive soul and made everyone smile! I remember when I first saw Slim at the bootcamp meeting. She was so excited to be there and I thought to myself, I can’t wait to skate with her! And that is what I got to do. I was so fortunate to skate with Slim and hope to make her proud.”

"Skate on Slim" by Lando Collision
“Skate on Slim” by Lando Collision

“Anyone you ask who knew Slim will describe her with the same words: passionate, intelligent, funny, hard working, dependable. The list could go on and on. No matter how you choose to describe Slim, she was ultimately a positive influence on all of our lives. She would encourage you to be your best self on and off the track. If you fell, Slim would make some comment and you’d both end up laughing at yourself. She was always the first to laugh at herself whenever she fell, and she would get up and work even harder than before.”

“I think the reason everyone describes Slim the same is because she was always the same human. Consistent. She was unapologetically herself, and seemed to embrace it wholeheartedly.”

“When we lost Slim, the world definitely became darker for a moment. But because of her every single person who was touched by Slim’s light is now determined to shine their own brighter. We are determined to step up for her, and live lives she would be proud of. Even in death, Slim influences us to be the best we can be.”

“Slim was so amazing to be around both on and off the track. Her smile could light up a room and seeing her always made my day that much better. She was an incredible person and an incredible teammate, and I know she is loved and missed by so many. Love you Slim Skatey”

“Slim was one of the most selfless people and beautiful souls. She went out of her way any time a friend needed her, and I’m so blessed to have known her.”

Featured Skater: Truckstop Trixie

Featured Skater - Truckstop Trixie #512

Name: Truckstop Trixie #512
Team: All-Stars, Candy Snipers

How did you start skating?
I had just opened my own restaurant on 6th street in Austin Texas and was handing out menus and flyers to local bars when I ran into some bad ass women that played derby. They told me to come tryout and I thought “no way! I’m way to tiny for that!”. I opened that door anyways and brought my sonic sketcher skates with me, they weighed a ton! I Made it! I started skating with TXRD (the original banked track!) in 2007 and then made the change to WFTDA in 2014 when we moved to Germany. This pure bred Texan is now planting roots in Colorado and is happy and honored to be apart of PPDD!

What position do you prefer to play?
I’m a jammer! I love all positions though! One day I’d like to say I’m a PB&J (pivot, blocker, jammer)

Continue reading “Featured Skater: Truckstop Trixie” →

Featured Skater

Featured Skater: Salt N ‘UR Wound

Featured Skater

Name: Salt N ‘UR Wound #248
Team: Slamazons, Danger Dolls

How did you start skating?
As a kid at the roller rink with the elementary/middle school parties. I originally preferred inlines. I was “forced” to use quads when they didn’t have my size rentals one night at the rink. I saw my first bout in 2012 with Detroit Roller Derby (back then they were Detroit Derby Girls). I started skating with a small rec league Eastside Derby Girls. Then I moved to Rochester NY. I did 3 boot camps between 2012-2014 with Roc City Roller Derby and quit every time for various reasons. April 2015 rolled around and I had recently been dumped and decided to give roller derby another shot with Roc City and I haven’t looked back since. I moved to Colorado Springs at the end of June 2019- and wanted to keep playing derby so I found the Dames!

What position do you prefer to play?
Primarily blocker, but I will volunteer to do all the things.

Continue reading “Featured Skater: Salt N ‘UR Wound” →

Charity of the Month: Myron Stratton Home

PPDD’s Charity of the Month for March 2020 is the Myron Stratton Home.

“In his will, Winfield Scott Stratton left a legacy to provide for poor persons who are without means of support and who are physically unable by reason of old age, youth sickness or other infirmity to earn a livelihood. The Myron Stratton Home carries out his wishes by providing housing, programs, services, and grants to improve the quality of life of those less fortunate.”

We’ll be collecting monetary donations for their “Lila Go Fund,” a resident activities fund started 15 years ago by the family of a passing resident named Lila. Residents use this fund to participate in activities in the community.

 

Charity of the Month: Bikers Against Child Abuse

PPDD’s Charity of the Month for February 2020 is Bikers Against Child Abuse.

“Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) is a non-profit, 501-C-3 tax exempt organization that exists to provide aid, comfort, safety, and support for children that have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused. We are dedicated to the principle that one of the basic rights of childhood is to be safe and protected, and when the child’s family or environment have failed them, we stand ready to provide it to them.”

Continue reading “Charity of the Month: Bikers Against Child Abuse” →