Top skater impresses local derby stars with skills

HIGH ROLLER: Samara Pepperell takes on the ramps at Riverside skatepark, while taking notes were Northland Nightmares roller derby players Haylee Thorn (left), Tanya Dickey, Tyana Hansen, Fiona Bollu, Carl Mansel and Angela Paul. PHOTO/ JOHN STONE

There are usually some hits and bruises when the Northland Nightmares roller derby players gather but the team avoided injuries when treated to a skatepark tutorial by one of New Zealand's top skaters.

Team NZ player Samara Pepperell, known in roller derby circles as Lady Trample, took time out yesterday from preparations for December's Blood and Thunder Roller Derby World Cup to show the Northland players how to reclaim the skatepark.

The Auckland founder of Chicks In Bowls, an international skatepark craze that's exploding in the roller derby world and across social media, treated Riverside skatepark viewers to some awesome drops, slides and impressive stalls.

A graphic designer by trade, the skater with Auckland's Pirate City Rollers' All Scars team will head to Texas with Team NZ to represent the country in the world cup which rolls out on December 4. Lady Trample said the Northland team had impressed her with their skills yesterday.

"The level is inspiring ... it's so great to see skaters encourage each other and practise like this.

"Skateparks are often dominated by skateboarders but now the parks are filling up with roller skaters - it's a new community," said Samara, whose skating chews through a pair of stoppers each month.

Onerahi mother of three Haylee Thorn, known as Hailstorm, is a regular at the Riverside park and one of the first of the Northland team to "hit the bowls" this year.

"It's the adrenalin. I love that I can push myself beyond boundaries," she said.

"It's fun, it's stress relief ..."

Carl Mansel, whose derby name is Husslr, has just returned from playing at the Australian Men's Roller Derby first tournament for men.

New Zealand's men's team, Manawatu Roller Derby, beat Perth Mens Derby for eighth position.

The tournament was held in Brisbane where they skated in 42C heat on the flat track at Ipswich Showgrounds.

Husslr is also a keen skatepark roller and says more blokes should try it out.

The roller derby season might have ended, but the Northland team will continue training until December, with skatepark visits all part of fun and a way to boost fitness and skills through the summer. The team trains at Portland Recreation Centre and have their bouts at ASB Stadium throughout the year, as well as visiting challenging teams throughout New Zealand.