September Featured Skater: Ruby Dragon

Derby name: Ruby Dragon

Number: #27

Position(s): Jammer

How long have you been playing derby?

Since 2017.

How did you get started playing derby?

I started as a Junior in Chattanooga. I had been a derby fan for long before that, so when I heard they were starting a junior team I had to get in on it!

What's your favorite thing about it?

Derby is a very body-positive and accepting community. There's no one "derby body type" or specific set of techniques that you have to do a certain way. It's truly up to the individual skater!

How did you pick your derby name/number?

My derby name was originally Derby Dragon...because I picked it when I was 13. My juniors team was called the Ruby Regulators, so when I aged out I changed my name to Ruby Dragon to keep a part of them with me! My number is just a lucky number within my family. No spiel there.

What's your proudest accomplishment on the track?

I've pulled off a full-momentum apex jump (not just a lil' hop) in gameplay exactly once. I felt so cool!

What's your gnarliest injury?

I'm still pretty young, so I haven't gotten anything too bad yet. That being said, playing derby (or, really, any contact sport) requires accepting that you're gonna get a severe injury at least once.

How would you describe your derby playing style?

I'm very mobile, regardless of whether I'm blocking or jamming. It's really difficult for me to hold a heavy hitter, or get through a pack that's mostly muscle. Juking and footwork are my jam...pun intended.

What are your goals for the season?

I'm going to try and pull off a Pegasus with Daisy at some point! It's basically a blocker-assisted apex jump in the straightaway - the blocker swings the jammer in a semicircular motion over the line and in front of the blockers. It's so much fun!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I've got a lot of granny hobbies... sewing, crochet, etc. But, I'm also really interested in the natural world, so I collect bones and pin insects as well.

If you had a song play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

A Secret Dialogue on the Side of a Mountain by Small Fools!