BigDawg Shootout 2011 "Invite Only" did not pan out!

Paul tried to organize a low key ``invite only`` competition with a select few of some of the best riders in the Pacific Northwest. Supposedly a lot of big names in the sport were coming. But in the end not a lot of riders showed up. The weather was not encouraging for Saturday so that must have kept people from making the long trip.

It was snowing in  Whistler Village Saturday morning and visibility was  poor with  very low cloud cover. It did not look very promising at all. With a lot of the riders not showing up, the BDSO revival was pretty much dead. But for some of the riders that did show up the bad weather was not going to stop them from riding. This was a good thing for me.

I met up with Paul Gibbs, Cory Micku and some of  his buddies from Vancouver Island who made the trip. We all went up Brandywine to play in the trees. Well lets just say it was my lucky day. Weather was crappy in the beginning but just like it always seems to happen in Whistler the clouds gave way in the afternoon and the sun came out and with everybody else playing tourist in the village I was the only one out there with  camera gear to capture the action.

It was a blast hanging with these guys. All these guys can ride and they never stop. Just like the energizer bunny they just keep going and going. It was fun to watch and shoot.

The snow was great at the beginning of the day but got heavier as the day wore on and the sun came out and warmed things up. It was deep but heavy.

My first Roller Derby

 Well the other night I shot my first Roller Derby, it was my first bout. It was between the host team/league, Reign Valley Vixens and the visiting Armstrong/Okanagan Raggedy Rollers. It was the opening bout to kick off the season. It was held at the Abbotsford AG Rec Centre.

 

This being my first roller derby I was not sure what to expect when I showed up. When I walked in what I did see was all the sisters, friends and family  setting up the event. From laying out the track, to lighting , to putting chairs out for the spectators. They also had concessions, a beer garden and merchandising booths. These girls did it all and this was before they got ready for their season opener. It was  impressive to say the least.

Partial proceeds from the event went to  support the local  food bank and they raised 760 bucks Way to go girls!

If you have never been to a roller derby