What made you decide to join roller derby?

A friend of mine was a part of the junior league and it always sounded really intriguing to me. I watched Whip It and I was hooked. I came to practice with her and I’ve been here ever since.

How did you feel at your first scrimmage?

I was really nervous. We had never been able to scrimmage among ourselves at practice because we did not have enough players. Once we got on the track, it was smooth sailing. It’s all about thinking on your feet.

What is your favorite position to play?

My favorite position to play is pivot.

How do people react when they hear you play roller derby?

Their facial reactions are usually the most interesting. They are generally taken aback, and I pride myself in that. Its a good feeling to have people excited to hear about what you do for fun.

Do you play any other sports?

No. I take dance classes and running is a hobby of mine.

What is your goal for this season?

This season I really want to work on mastering my turn around toe stops at high speeds.

How do you explain derby to someone who has never seen a bout?

I explain that there are five people from each team on the track. There is a captain of the track called a pivot and the person who scores points is called the jammer. Both wear panties on their head and panties are a helmet covering. The jammer has a star and the pivot has a stripe. Your team scores points when the jammer passes the hips of the players on the opposing team legally. And no, there is NO PUNCHING and generally no bleeding.

How did you feel when you were chosen to be captain of the first scrimmage?

It was an exhilarating feeling. I was honored to be trustworthy enough to represent teammates on and off of the track.

Bring the family, bring your friends to the First Presbyterian Church in Marlboro, NY for a delicious pancake breakfast served up on skates by your favorite local Roller Derby skaters.

Eat Pancakes, Support Roller Derby Fundraiser Details

Date: April 28th, 2013
Time: 11am – 2:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 98 West Street, Marlboro, NY 12542
Cost:$9 Adults $4.50 Kids Under 7

To fans it’s not always clear why we choose some of our names. What does your name, Tera Joules, mean and why did you choose it?

I knew right off the bat that I wanted a science name. I was really leaning towards the name “entropy” which means disorder and chaos in the universe, but it was taken. Then I thought killa Joules would’ve been funny and fantastic, but when I found out THAT was taken I wanted a name bigger and better (literally) so I went with Tera as a prefix, which means a TRILLION!!! and Joules, which is a unit of energy. I was 100% decided on that once I realized lightning was measured in Tera Joules

Your number, 7e12, isn’t just a random number. What does it mean?

Before we became a WFTDA league my number was 7×10^12, 7 being my favorite number and 10^12 being a trillion in scientific notation. Once I had to cut it to 4 characters I just changed it to how you would type it in a calculator. Nerd status!

As head of the Jr League you have a lot of girls who aspire to be just like you. How do the Frightmares inspire you?

They inspire me in so many ways! They are young and have so much potential ahead of them. I push to skate harder, play smart, and be tough because I expect no less from them. They inspire me to be the best player I can be and an excellent off track role model. I care about them in all that they do, I’ve even tutored one girl in chemistry! I know that there are some pretty crappy role models out there so I aspire to be the best for them. Every decision I make I think about them. I feel like a mother hen sometimes!

What made you want to play a full contact sport instead of a non-contact sport?

I was actually terrified to play a full contact sport that involved wheels being strapped to my feet. I knew I was aggressive and competitive so I worked my butt off to get my skill to that level. Non-contact sports don’t give you THAT feeling. Its empowering and makes me feel stronger than I ever had both mentally and physically.

Besides being such an awesome skater, do you have any hidden talents?

Well if I told you they wouldn’t be hidden, would they? I drive a standard (because I like control!) and most people don’t know that.

When you get really tired in a game, what helps you to keep pushing and stay motivated to play hard?

I just remember that people are depending on me. I can do anything for two minutes. If I can’t, there’s 13 other people on that bench I’m letting down. That’s unacceptable to me. I push through for my team, because they do the same for me.

What do you think is most important for a newer skater to learn?

Edges!!! I cannot emphasize it enough!! Edges are everything; they are balance, agility, control, and the key to staying on your feet. Ask any Frightmare or fresh meat- they would be millionaires if they got a $1 for every time I preached about edges when coaching.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in derby?

Winning the first WFTDA sanctioned game EVER vs Harrisburg at ECDX last year. At the end of the game we all cried and hugged in a circle for about 5 minutes. It was the epitome of everything we had worked for and to see all that hard work pay off was PRICELESS. I will never forget that moment

What is your goal for the 2013 season?

My goal this season is to push myself the hardest I can in any drill, game, or practice I participate in. I want to always push past that voice in my head saying give up and prove i can go farther and harder!

If you could change anything about roller derby what would it be?

I would shorten the amount of time in the penalty box because when your in the box one minute feels like forever, and it sucks just sitting there feeling helpless.

What is one of your pet peeves?

Unnecassary clapping! I know it sounds strange but i hate when people clap for no reason and my little sister and brother do it all the time.

What are you afraid of?

I’m terrified of the dark! I hate not being able to see or know whats around me.

Besides roller derby, what sports have you played?

I’ve played soccer, basketball, and field hockey.

Whats the hardest thing to do in roller derby?

Staying low at all times is hard. I always feel like I’m low and then I watch footage from games and realize I was nowhere near as low as I should have been.

What is one thing you were surprised to learn about roller derby?

I was shocked when I found out how many penalties there were. I always thought you skated and hit but there is a lot of rules you must follow to make a hit legal or to earn points with a legal pass.

If you could have one superpower what would it be?

I would love to be able to read minds!

LET THE 2013 SEASON BEGIN!

Come out and Bring your Valentine’s Love when you meet your 2013 Hudson Valley Horrors Home Teams in their first ever bout! The Queen of Hurts will be bringing the pain and announcing the official names of Team Black & Team Red. You won’t want to miss this announcement. Our fans made the suggestions and now we will announce which names were chosen!

As usual Doors open at 6 PM and beatings commence at 7PM. We will have Merch, Raffles and ROLLER GIRLS GALLORE! Don’t forget Roller Magic’s Concession Stand will be open for snacks as usual.

VIP Tickets $20 (while supplies last) Suicide Seats are $10
Tickets can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets or can be purchased from any of the Horrors.

Queen of Hurts Roller Derby Bout Details

Event: Queens Of Hurts- Home team Introductory
Bout Date: February 17th 2013
Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM Beatings Start at 7:00 PM
Place: Hyde Park Roller Magic 4178 Albany Post Road Hyde Park NY 12538 Press Contact: promotions@horrorsrollerderby.com

What made you decide to join roller derby?

I was looking to do something active. My sister had joined Steel City Derby Demons the year before, so I looked to see what was available near me. I love roller skating – as I’ve skated since I was 4. It was a perfect fit.

What has been your most memorable moment in derby so far?

Every time I play is memorable. I especially enjoyed the game last summer with LIRR. There was this one jam in which I took the jammer out twice with two very memorable hits. The first from a standstill, the second … well there is a picture online of that one …

How did you choose your derby name?

I am a techie – Daemons are the processes that run in the background of the Linux operating system, getting things done. Daemons are also referenced in Plato’s writings, as Godlings, not quite mortal, not quite Divine. I am a web designer, also commonly called web master …  feminize that and you end up with Mistress.

What would you say is your biggest fear in and out of derby?

Derby is all about facing down fear. I don’t think I will ever be entirely comfortable jumping my teammates. Outside of derby, my fears are mainly related to my children, as I want the best for them.

What is one thing you want to accomplish in your life?

I would love to own my own business someday.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I spend some time visualizing success in doing whatever skills I am working on and that I want to bring to the game.

Any hidden talents?

Many. But they wouldn’t be hidden if I told every one.

What is your favorite part about roller derby?

I love working with my teammates. I love the strategy.

What movie could you watch over and over and not get sick of?

Just about any James Bond movie.

What is your favorite book?

Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey

The Hudson Valley Horrors are thrilled to announce our 2013 Season Schedule. 2013 is shaping up to be a busy, action-packed season with the introduction of HVHRD HOME TEAMS!

Names will be announced at our first Home Team Bout of the season so make sure you get there. An exciting 2013 season for the Horrors is in store so come out and support your local Roller Derby!

Home & Away Roller Derby Bouts

2/17 Red vs Black @ Hyde Park Roller Magic
3/9 A/B double header vs CTRG @ Connecticut
3/23 Central New York vs Horrors @ Hyde Park Roller Magic
4/20 Red vs Black Home @ Hyde Park Roller Magic
5/4 A/B double header vs Assault City @Syracuse
6/1 Red vs Black – Home 6/15 A/B double header vs Roc City @ Rochester
June 28th-30th – East Coast Derby Extravaganza – TBD by Lottery
7/20 A/B double header vs Hammer City @ Hamilton, ONT
7/21 Horrors vs Tri-City @ Kitchener, ONT
7/21 zomBs vs Queen City @ Buffalo
9/21 zomBs vs New Hampshire @ Hyde Park Roller Magic
10/12 Horrors vs Long Island @ Long Island
10/20 Black vs Red @ Hyde Park Roller Magic
11/16 Black vs Red Charity Bout @ Hyde Park Roller Magic

Tickets can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets.

2013 Hudson Valley Horrors Season Schedule Details

Date: February 2013 – November 2013
Time: Home bouts take place at 7pm (doors at 6pm) | For away bout times, see schedule details
Place: Home Bouts @ Roller Magic 4178 Albany Post Road Hyde Park NY 12538 Press Contact: promotions@horrorsrollerderby.com

I constantly hear people saying “I can’t do it” …. I also have that problem but I try to remember and apply the words of the Mad Hatter..

Alice: “it’s impossible”
The Mad Hatter: “only if you believe it is”

Take the God damn negativity out of your mind! Your mind is more powerful than you think it is and when you put yourself down your performance will dwindle along with your self confidence.

Tonight at practice I was working with someone who said that she couldn’t do something.. I told her to take the word “can’t” out of her vocabulary and sure enough she mastered the concept on her next try. Not everything we do will come easy to us, which is why we PRACTICE!

If we all believe in ourselves then we all will improve and become amaZing!!!! Without self confidence we cannot have team confidence (if that makes sense)

So, next time you hear someone say that can’t do something mention the above Alice in Wonderland quote (one of my favs) and encourage them to try again.

Love you guys,
Xoxo Prada-G

WE WANT YOU!
Tryout to be part of the world’s fastest growing sport: Roller Derby! The Hudson Valley Horrors are now recruiting for the 2013 season and we want YOU!
If you’re looking to challenge yourself and to be part of a team, roller derby will bring out the athlete in you! The Horrors skate within the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (W.F.T.D.A) which has been the driving force to legitimize Roller Derby as a sport.
“W.F.T.D.A promotes and fosters the sport of women’s flat track derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability and sportswoman-ship.”
Athleticism and competitiveness is encouraged.
Be your own hero! Roller Derby will change you life… ARE YOU READY?
We are also looking for Referees and non-skating individuals to volunteer
(Male and female).
Although no experience is necessary, it is very helpful. You must be 18 or older to tryout.

Hudson Valley Horrors Roller Derby Tryouts Details

Date: January 21 & January 24, 2013
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Roller Magic 4178 Albany Post Road Hyde Park NY 12538
Press Contact: join@horrorsrollerderby.com

What has been your favorite bout? Why?

Skating in the cold up in Ithaca. Our managers were awesome, the other team was friendly as hell, and one of their jammers told our managers that I was her “nemesis” all night long, not letting her get past me on the inside line. After finding out what nemesis meant, (yeah I didn’t know!),  I was thrilled to be acknowledged that way.

What is your most memorable derby moment?

While jamming in our meat grinder with the Hellions of Troy, I knocked the other jammer down on the line and got lead jammer. Then I was sent to the box for a penalty, and even after serving my time, I still scored 18 points.

What celebrity would you want to be friends with?

Ellen Degeneres. She always makes me laugh and she seems to be straight up with what she says and believes in. Her honesty and confidence in herself is inspiring as hell.

What movie(s) can you watch over and over and never get sick of?

Alice in Wonderland, The Trial of Billy Jack, Braveheart, and Saving Private Ryan

What was the first pair of wheels you owned?

Probably wooden ones!! Seriously, they were some of the first polyurethane wheels that came out in the late 60′s-early 70′s.

What inspired you to join roller derby?

I wanted to do it as a kid, but roller derby died out by the time I got old enough to play on a team. When I found out derby was alive again, and there was a team right here in the Hudson Valley, I couldn’t wait to join even though it had been 35 years since I last skated.

How did you come up with your name?

One of my aliases is Snail and I wanted to somehow use it. So one of my teammates, Pin-Up Ghoul actually helped me.

Who is your favorite derby player?

Lacerated. It’s exciting to watch her skate with such speed and grace, and all the while, fooling her opponents with her intoxicating smile. I like seeing the shock on their faces when she jumps around them or hits them with all her might, proving that she’s not just another pretty face on the track, but someone who knows and loves the game, and with the ability to be an awesome athlete.

What do you think is the biggest misconception fans have about roller derby?

That all derby players are angry women, needing to prove something. While every sport has players who need to prove something, we also have happy, teachers, nurses, professional business women, students, mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers, all who want to just play a full contact sport.

In February of 2012 my life changed forever. My partner had noticed he had a lump on his testicle and we shrugged it off as nothing but Dave had an upcoming physical so he’d mention it then. Teaching reproductive health, testicular cancer was a thing i THOUGHT i knew about.  ”Its a harmless cancer, it’s so rare, if you are going to get cancer this is the one that isn’t so bad”. These were all phrases i heard repeated or had repeated myself. So when Dave came home and told me he was diagnosed with testicular cancer i didnt know what to do. First i cried then i gathered my thoughts and said “well surgery will get rid of this and sooner than we know this will be over”. Six months later the hardest was over but the everyday thoughts and worries have not ended.

Dave happened to have one of the more aggressive types of testicular cancer. He first had the testicle removed and we thought phew its over. Then it came back that he would need a very serious surgery called an RPLND. We were sent down to Sloan Kettering in NYC because they have the leading doctors who specialize in testicular cancer. After meeting with them we knew he had to have the RPLND but it all happened very fast. He was booked for surgery a week later. After weeks in the hospital and  several weeks of PT Dave was starting to come around and be able to do things.

During this time I was working during the day and then driving to the city at night to spend time with Dave. Once he was home i took a few weeks off since he was immobile most of the time. Once the surgery was behind us we found out worse news. Although the surgery was a success the cancer seemed to have already been spreading so two rounds of chemotherapy had to be ordered. Dave and I were a mess. Chemotherapy? That’s for people who are dying. Both of us have never really had to deal with cancer or anything this huge. All the stereotypes of chemotherapy came running into our minds, how would we deal with this?

As the days neared to chemotherapy, the costs piled up, the time i had to take off from work increased and we didn’t know what to expect. On the first day of chemotherapy a catscan was taken. This showed in the few weeks since the surgery a tumor had developed on Dave’s lung. That meant two rounds of chemo was now four…

During this time we were internally and externally freaking out about finances ,our jobs, our dogs, dave’s health etc. But our friends and families were there for us. They raised over $10,000 to help with the costs of treatment, travel and being out of work.We couldn’t believe that they could do that for us. Unlike a lot of people dealing with cancer we could finally put the financial worries behind us and focus on Dave’s health.

All through chemo i went to derby practice. I don’t think i missed more than 1 practice during this time. My derby family was just as important as my actual family. They surprised Dave and i and raised $500 dollars which paid for an entire round of chemo for us. This meant the world to us and during this time derby was the only place i had that could make me forget everything that was going on. Some nights my mom would beg me “just stay home tonight everyone at derby will understand” but that wasn’t why i went. I needed some kind of stress release and for me it was derby.

After the fourth round of chemo Dave was told he was cancer free. it was probably the happiest moment of our lives. But as time continues check ups occur frequently and during that time all the stress comes back for a day… i know Dave is wondering what if it comes back, what would we do…

Cancer has touched all of our lives in some way and after my experience i believe a positive mental attitude is the key to defeating anything. Although times may be rough you have to laugh and enjoy what you can, when you can. We were fortunate to have friends and family to help support us emotionally and financially without them i know we would have had a rougher time all around.

How did you come up with your name?

I was always stopping, collaborating, and/or listening.

What is your day job?

Lyrical poet.

What made you tryout for derby?

My burning desire to cook derby girls like a pound o’ bacon.

Whats the last movie you watched?

One with police on the scene-you know what I mean?

What is your biggest fear?

Harpoons, especially ones that flow daily AND nightly.

Do you have a favorite band?? Who?

I go crazy when I hear a cymbal.

What do you want your derby legacy to be?

Waxin chumps like candles, slicing like a ninja, cutting like a
razor blade, keeping my composure when it’s time to get loose, etc.

If you could come up with your own derby move what would you call it?

“Poisonous Mushroom” or “Too Cold”

The Hudson Valley Horrors and Man’s Ruin Roller Derby have joined forces in the spirit of giving to Support the Brittany Miller Foundation, a pediatric cancer fund.
The Brittany Miller Foundation is a charitable organization formed in the fall of 1995 to fill a great need in our community: providing financial assistance to families from the Hudson Valley who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for cancer. Funds raised will not be used to pay for
the child’s actual medical care; rather, donations will be made to families for other “hidden” costs, including hotels, restaurants, tolls, gasoline and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by families who must take sick children to hospitals or other facilities for frequent treatments.
The Foundation raises funds and disperses the same to families from the New York counties of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, and Pike County PA who have children diagnosed with cancer.

100% Of the Proceeds from this even will Benefit this Charitable Initiative.

Please join us in helping this amazing cause.
You will get to see Man’s Ruin V. South Jersey in a Co-ed Derby Dual played under M.A.D.E Regulations and Horrors Special presentation Derby Noir V. Derby Rougue played under W.F.T.D.A Rules. You can have fun and help those in need!

Tickets $10 in advance $15 at the Door. Children under 12 are $5.Tickets can be purchased online http://thecastle.pfestore.com/retail/rollerderby/Default.aspx.

Roller Derby Charity Bout Details

Event: HVHRD & Man’s Ruin Roller Derby Double Header Charity Bout
Date: December 1st, 2012
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM Bouts begin at 7:30 PM
Place: The Castle Fun Center 109 Brookside Ave Chester, NY
Press Contact: promotions@horrorsrollerderby.com

Can’t Go?  You Can Still Help

If you cannot attend the event, you can still make a tax deductible donation and help be a part of us reaching our goal of $3,000.