This month’s featured skater is the one and only Grass Hoppa. This Renegade turned Alley Kat’s derby career has spanned two leagues and the post-Covid relaunch. Rabbit was recently able to sit down with Hoppa and talk a little more about her derby journey.
Rabbit: How did you come to be in Queen City?
Hoppa: Almost 10 years ago in 2015, an acquaintance kept bugging me to join roller derby. I finally caved and went to watch my first roller derby game. It was so exciting and thrilling to watch that I knew I had to join immediately! In 2020 when Covid hit, our team had to go on a hiatus. we tried to relaunch our team that summer/early fall but ultimately we couldn’t keep it going with only 5-6 skaters, so we closed our team down. A few of my fellow Renegade friends went on join QCRD right away, but I waited a month after they did to join, it was just in time to be drafted to the Alley Kats.
Where did your derby name and number come from?
They were both actually given to me by my old Renegades coach, Reverend Ruckus. I was having a hard time coming up with anything and then one day we were doing alot of jumping drills and that turned into Grass Hoppa.
On the Kats now you mostly jam, have you always jammed? What do you like?
When I skated with the Renegades, I mostly was a blocker and jammed some. It wasn’t till my first mashup game with QCRD in January of 2022 that I showed off my jamming skills when the coach of the team I was on asked who wanted to go out next. I forgot that my Alley Kats Coach was in the middle of the track. After the game, he came up to me and told me that I was going to be a jammer and start practicing jamming lol. I love jamming! There’s something abou the adrenaline rush, fast pace, and action oriented that jamming is. I love the challenge of it, not knowing if I’m going to get through the pack and get those four ponts, it is so exhilarating like, “Yes, let’s go!!!”
What do you like about derby as a whole?
I love the commeraderie, the excitement, the adrenaline rush of roller derby. We are one team here on and off the track instead of being individuals. You can really feel the togetherness of being on a team.
What do you do in your professional life?
I am a personal aide at a school.
What are your hobbies outside of derby?
H: Between roller derby and working a lot, I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I love kayaking, hiking, skating outside, and bike rides when I do. I always make sure I have time for [Renegade] “Family Dinner!” There were like 5 of us that were showing up to practices before we decide to shut down our team and after we did, we started going over to our coaches house for weekly dinner. It has continued ever since, the girls are my family and we love our “family dinners” together!
Do you have any advice for new skaters?
My advice for new skaters is falling is going to happen, let it happen! You will learn how to fall the right way when you join boot camp. “Don’t be afraid of falling!” It will be fun eventually. Also, don’t compare yourself to any of your teammates or fellow skaters. I know it’s easier said than done, but you have to focus on what you’re doing and the progress you’re making and you’ll achieve your goals.
One last personal question just to round things out. What is your go to movie night pick?
Ohhhh…I’m gonna have to get back to you on that.