Veteran skater Penelope Bruz has earned the reputation of being one of the hardest hitting All-Stars in her 5 years with CRG, but there is more to #36 than helmet graffiti and her bone-crushing hits. Read on to find out what makes Bruz tick. Just try not to tick her off or this could be your fate:
Q: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?
PB: One of my colleagues at the N&O was planning to photograph the team for his column. I heard about it and damn near lost my mind. He told me he’d let me shoot it if I wanted to. “Shoot it? Hell no. I want to play!”
Q: How long have you been involved with the sport?
PB: Since May 2005
Q: What challenges have you faced balancing a personal life with the demanding schedule of roller derby?
PB: I’ve faced several derby vs. life, job, relationship challenges and derby has won most of them. I will always wonder if I made the right decision. I suspect however, thirty years from now I’ll remember that night in Austin, Texas, sitting on a bicycle sculpture in a tree, trying to get tattoos, and finishing the night with Princess, Rumble, and Jawbreaker at a house party. I probably would not remember any work related task I could have been doing that weekend.
Q: Who is the biggest supporter in your life of you playing this sport?
PB: My ex-husband, Erick. It’s hard to imagine being able to play this sport without him around.
Q: What do you do to pay the bills and buy the wheels?
PB: Not enough! Tend bar and wait tables at BuKu.
Q: Do you watch other sports?
PB: I’m a slave to college basketball. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! I grew up watching baseball with my grandmother and I’m still a fan.
Q: Do you have any children, and do you hope they will play the sport someday?
PB: No kids yet. I hope my children find something they are as passionate about as I am about derby.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
PB: Having BuKu’s Tiramisu for dinner!
Q: What was your first impression of skating at Dorton Arena? (or working a bout at Dorton Arena)
PB: Complete awe. Tears. The history is everywhere in that place. The Ice Caps, who used to play hockey there years ago, left ice skate scars on the stairs to the locker rooms.
Q: So you’ve got three free tickets you can give to anyone, living or dead, and they’ll come to the next bout. Who do you invite?
PB: Louis C.K., Jon Stewart, and Ron White.
Q: Where are you likely to be found out and about in the Triangle?
PB: Landmark, Local 506, Whiskey, and the movies.
Q: If you could slap a floor down and skate anywhere in the world, where would it be?
PB: Times Square, baby!
Q: What do you like to rock out to while skating at speed practice or cleaning the house?
PB: Ugh, don’t ask. My taste in music is embarrassing. Let’s just say I’ll never switch radio stations if The Bangles are playing.
Q: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?
PB: Nothing too serious… only a broken arm and back surgery.
Q: Do you have any pets?
PB: Yup. Giant, goofy Pitbull.
Q: What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
PB: There’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity so I’m not necessarily saying I’m brave when I say nothing has really scared me. I was kinda worried the moment I jumped off a 30ft cliff into a river, but someone dared me.
Big hits are best experienced in person! Come check out Bruz and the Debutante Brawlers as they take on the Trauma Queens at the Skate Ranch on July 11! Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kids and can be purchased at the door (cash only or we will give you directions to the nearest ATM). Doors open at 11:30, wheels roll at noon!
Contributed by Hot Mess Express
I love you, Bruz!
I definitely dig the skater insights. Keep them coming. BTW, Bruz, you rule!!!
Well put, Bruz. Insightful. I’ll be at the game.
Bruz rules! We miss, Snoopy come home. To put it to club music, “We’re in love with a Skater!” Guess who?