I'm Paige Notfound, skater for the Atlanta Rollergirls. AMA!

Who is player #403 or are you forbidden to tell me?

No #403 on Atlanta (at least not yet)! At one point I was considering #410, Gone Girl.

Is #420, Mary Wanna still available?

Apparently so! http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls/similarity.cgi?name=marry+wanna There's a skater for Atlanta named AmsterDAM, and her number is, appropriately, #420.

How's it going, Paige?

I'm Ramblin' Wrecker; I also skate for the Atlanta Rollergirls- on the Jukes with Paige. I'm glad to answer your questions as well.

Proof: Number Logo

WTGW?

THWG

Hi Wrecker!

Legal name change? Or does the NotFound family dynasty have roots in Atlantis?

There's a rich tradition of punny derby names. Here's The Official Master List™™™: http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls/

all roller derby names are awesome, but Paige Notfound (404) is one of the greatest names in all of human history. I'll advise you to copyright it and start writing your series of youth lit about a young girl who solves crimes when she's not busy at roller derby academy.

Ha! Thanks!

How did you get into Roller Derby? How much does gear cost?

I was a spectator for a few years, since I knew one of the skaters. But it's only a matter of time before you get sucked in!

The gear varies a lot in price, depending on what you need. My skates probably cost around $600 when you include the boots, the plates, the wheels, the bearings, and the toe stops. Maybe another $200 for pads. You fall down all the time, so good pads are worth it! I bought my whole kit at Powerhouse Skates in Atlanta.

Oh, you are so right. My friend does derby in Lancaster, PA. Went to some of her bouts and was ABOUT to join...then I moved. Is there any position for a little tiny girl? I'm 5'3'' and about 120 but I can pack a few mean elbows

Absolutely! Some of our best skaters are the smallest. Derby is all about getting low, and nobody can get lower than the short girls!

Hi Paige, it's Nicki Minaj-a-trois (or Kirby), the NSO! I heard a rumor you played rugby? Did you really?! Cause I played 15s with GSU and Summer 7s with GT!

I did! I played 15s for a couple years. I only ever played 7s begrudgingly. So much running. I also played in high school. (There were three teams in the state-- our team took second place. We lost to MoshYa's team, apparently!)

What is the root cause of the 404? I figure someone would have tried to fix it by now.

Computer scientists have been searching for the root cause for decades, but unfortunately it remains not found.

Hey! Welcome to derby 404 club! (Fire Wally here of Minnesota Men's Roller Derby)

How do your co-workers react when they hear that you play derby? It seems like everyone at my job is in disbelief that I go hit dudes on skates, while everyone on my team can't believe that I put on slacks and go work in an office all day.

They love it! They come to my bouts. They started a chant of 404 at the last one. I'm enough of a weirdo that I don't think I can surprise them anymore.

You ever go to that new "Cookout" place next to Mcdonalds on Ponce? I like their cajun chicken

It's solid. Cheddar style 4ever

Now that was quick thinking after the front page post of today. You should add that to the post, probably. Who hooked you up with an AMA so quick? Who's idea was it? And how did they even find you?

I hooked myself up! I can internet reasonably well.

Hey, that was my post! I really hope you don't mind me posting that, I just thought it was super creative and wanted to share. I was at the bout last night and thought it was pretty cool. I live in Columbus, but I've only been to three MRG bouts so far. I gotta say, y'all were absolutely the best team I've seen them play. Like, I enjoyed going to the other two, but watching them win by like 80 points isn't as fun. ARG was BY FAR the most physical, intense, and fun to watch team I've seen them play. I really don't have a question so.... Go ARG?

Thanks! We're gonna have a rematch in Atlanta on June 6! Should be another good one. http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/homePageSearch.do?method=showPackageDetail&package_id=9758296

What, in your opinion, is the best roller girl name you've ever heard?

Oh man, this is a really tough question. It's hard to choose. I think Jean-Juke Picard is pretty good (team nerd!!!).

It was an awesome surprise to see ARG on the frontpage. Glad to see nerdy derby names still have strong representation in the league.

Are those the leggings you always bout in, or like me, do you find yourself amassing a collection of ridiculous/awesome leg-wear and mixing it up when you can?

Hi to everyone back in Atlanta! - Dee Lorean #121

This is my first pair of Fancy Bout Leggings, but I'm sure it's not my last. (So expensive! Gotta pace myself!)

There are cheap leggings out there! I think I paid $10 for one of my coolest pairs. Don't be afraid to go into random stores in the mall and poke around on e-bay!

Nice! Thanks for the tip.

Where are they from?! They are so cool.

Bombsheller! http://shop.bombsheller.com/products/circuitboard

What did you think of Whip It?

Real talk? I haven't seen it. I know they're on a banked track, but most leagues (including Atlanta's) skate on a flat track. I also understand that there's a lot of elbowing and clotheslining stuff in that movie, but in real derby that will get you sent to the penalty box and your teammates will be upset. I do know that a lot of people were inspired to start skating when that movie came out!

How hard do nerds have to hit to be taken seriously?

There are a ton of nerds on our league! Anyone who shows up gets taken seriously. Hard to get called a poser if you're willing to take hits on skates.

Whats the most brutal injury you've seen happen?

Edit: Also thanks for the AMA!

Luckily, I haven't actually witnessed that many injuries first-hand. All the skaters for Atlanta are pretty strong and have good form, which makes injuries much less likely. But as far as brutality goes, one of my fellow skaters has a metal plate in her leg, and a while ago at practice she took a hit to the leg, and she could feel it vibrating. shudders

Thats fortunate! I know nothing about roller derby but I hope your team wins the thing!

I know how that feels, I just got a plate on my collar bone last spring from a long boarding accident. Whenever it gets hit or I move it in the wrong way it makes me very aware that I have a metal plate haha.

Thanks! We have a bout this weekend. (HINT HINT http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/homePageSearch.do?method=showPackageDetail&package_id=9806173 ) We're gonna win the thing!

I'm always curious how people prepare for their chosen sport so besides team practice do you have any sort of workout regiment / diet that you do?

Personally, I just try to eat clean, and I drink a protein shake after practice. I don't do nearly as much offskates as I need to... All the best skaters on our league work out a ton!

Did your team go to the Blood & Thunder World Cup in Dallas?

My team didn't-- that's pretty much just for national teams. But there are two Atlanta skaters who skate for Team USA: Wild Cherri #6 and my Toxic Shocks teammate Baller Shot Caller #143.

A friend of mine went with Team Netherlands, so was just curious how it was for someone else. I'd imagine the competition for a spot on Team USA is pretty heavy.

It is! They're super talented! I'm glad to have one of them on my home team!

I remember in last year's playoffs, me and couple of my teammates were on track crew, and were sitting right next the Atlanta bench during the Atlanta/Philly bout, which was really intense.

At one point, in a really heated moment, Atlanta's coach just looked over at us and said "this is a hell of game, isn't it?" Ha! We busted out laughing. He's a cool dude, that guy. Much respect for Atlanta.

How often do you guys travel out of state to play? How far away do you go usually?

My interleague team tends to just play local teams (Georgia, Alabama, etc.), but our A-team travels quite a bit. They flew all the way out to Oregon for the 2013 playoffs in Salem!

Do you know Scout Snipeher? She used to be a friend of mine... Love your name, BTW.

She's my coach! :)

I JUST got my first set of skates to start training for roller derby. What can I do (on and off skates) to get better? If you had to guess how many hours a week do you put into practice? Do you have any other advice regarding roller derby?

YEAH, DERBY!!! Do lots of squats. Eat right. Watch as much derby as you can (hint hint, the wftda champs are archived on youtube). If there's a rec league in your area, check that out. Don't be afraid of looking like you don't know what you're doing: everyone wants to help.

I probably skate 4-6 hours a week (which is on the low side for my league), but the more practice you get, the better.

Plus there is the Atlanta Rollergirl's 31 day leg challenge!

http://www.atlantarollergirls.com/2014/the-atlanta-rollergirls-31-day-leg-challenge/

Yes! Lots of good, painful stuff.

What's the best thing about roller derbys?

It's fun as heck!

What types of protective gear is necessary to wear? And is there a difference between the male and female gear?

To skate, you need to have all of the following:

• helmet
• mouthguard
• wrist guards
• elbow pads
• knee pads

The men have to wear the same set of gear. I guess some of them probably wear cups, but you'd have to ask them!

oh no please don't tell me you've ever seen a dude get kicked in the balls with a roller skate...

Well, kicking is an egregious penalty that'd get you thrown out of the game, but it is a full-contact sport, so I'm sure it's happened.

Is it true that #503 is always calling in sick?

She transferred to another league and now her number is 301. (JOKES)

This looks even faster and more painful than hockey. What is it like for you?

I've never played hockey, but I did play rugby for a while in college, and derby is much faster and more intense than rugby. Since I started skating, my reflexes have improved dramatically! It only takes a jammer seven seconds to get around the track, so you have to be constantly aware. As for the pain, adrenaline is a great pain reliever :)

What is your favorite food to eat after a win?

After a defeat?

(Beer qualifies as food in some cultures)

My favorite food is a lot of food. Seriously. What's the slogan for Steak n Shake? "In sight, it must be right"? That's how I feel about food after a bout.

Is there a limit on what number you can pick? I'm not really up to speed on roller derby but I can't imagine 404 players per team.

It's true, 404 players would be ridiculous. You need to have a number that's unique for your league. When you get a penalty, the ref says your team and your number, not your derby name, so it's important for your number to uniquely identify you. You can pick up to four digits. (In previous rulesets, you could also include letters, as long as there was at least one digit in the "number".)

I'm trying to find somebody with a good working knowledge of Ric Flair appearances in the 1980s. Do you know anybody like that?

I might know somebody.

How can you do that for a long time?

In the short term, we do a lot of endurance drills. In the long term, it's harder, but some people have been skating for ten years. Frankly, it's hard to not skate.

Will you go out with me?

I think my boyfriend would object!

Are there different skate setups for different venues to help you turn or is it more about technique?

The biggest difference between venues is the floor. We practice on polished concrete (which is slippery), but our home bouts are on sport court (which is sticky), and the bout last night was on painted concrete (which is even stickier). So a lot of skaters have a few different sets of wheels: soft, grippy wheels for slick floors, and hard, fast wheels for sticky floors. You want a balance. If your wheels are too hard for the floor, you'll slide out of the turns, but if they're too soft, it's much harder to stop when you need to.

Who would win in a fight between a big badass girl skater and a smaller female skater?

No fighting in derby. We settle things on the track. Anybody has the capacity to be a really excellent (and badass) skater, regardless of size.

Do you have any really creepy roller derby fan/stalker stories?

Nope, our fans are pretty cool.