March Skater of the Month: Natty Dredd
Notorious for laying out hits that will land you flat on your ass, Natty is a force to be reckoned with on the track. Skating for the Berzerkhers, the Living Dead, and the E-Ville Dead, she also works overtime off the track as E-Ville's Finance Director. Be sure to check out this month's Double Header to see Natty in both bouts!
1. What attracted you to the sport of Roller Derby and what keeps you going?
Hitting bitches. Hard. (My dread-maker introduced me to the idea and it fit perfectly with my personalty). Plus, hitting bitches.
2. How did you come up with your derby name?
A friend of the league helped me. My name is a play on a couple of things: my real name Nathalie, Natty Dread the album by Bob Marley, Dredd the movie, and the fact that I have dreads.
3. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate. Fierce. Determined.
4. Who is your nemesis on the track?
It is too difficult to choose one arch nemesis on the track. I choose three, a trifecta of nemeses that I one day hope to match in skill. Tuf Luv: Tuf was my main instructor when I first started derby and I have always measured myself against her skills. Plus she is one of the most encouraging team-mates and always pushes me to better myself and push a bit harder. Hell'On Keller: the booty of the league. She is an amazing defensive blocker and everyone dreads playing against her. I wish for this dread to be felt by the entire opposing team when I line up on the track one day. Tron, all-star blocker and jammer. Being an all-around all-star is a goal that many players strive to achieve within their derby careers. I would love to be as effective as a jammer as I am as a blocker in the future.
5. Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I do not have a specific pre-game ritual exactly since we typically spend 2 hours setting up the track for us to be able to play. However, I do ensure to gear-up in the same order before every game (skates, knee pads, numbers, elbows, wrists, helmet and mouth guard last). And for every jam on which I am playing, I squeeze the shoulders of my teammates as we line up on the track, before the 5-second whistle.
6. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play you in the lead role?
No idea. I don't follow movies/actors much and am clueless.
7. If you could have any super power what would it be?
The power of flight. I am an avid traveler and flying to any destination would be ideal.
8. How has Roller Derby Saved your soul?
I wish I would have found derby at least a couple of years earlier. The E-Ville team is my second family now. This community really is a great support network and full of strong female personalities. We are constantly pushing each other to be better, on and off the track. Begin surrounded by such strong, competent women, who are each leaders in their own fields is empowering.
9. What do you do when you are not playing Roller Derby?
In the winter, I snowboard regularly in the mountains. Otherwise, I am an avid traveler and try to do multiple international trips per year.
10. Who is your Derby Hero/Role Model?
Scald Eagle is my derby hero, and Demanda Riot is my "secret" crush.
