Active nzgirl: Rollerderby

Remember roller skating? When I was a girl roller blades didn’t exist so skating ruled supreme. Olivia Newton John wore them in Xanadu and there was even a musical on skates (that’s right, Starlight express isn’t a new idea…). Roller derby is an all girl team sport on roller skates; it involves two teams competing on a circular track. It’s rough, very physical but looks like an awesome sport to be involved with. Roller derby first gained popularity in the USA well before even I was born but has only recently launched in Wellington - so I thought I’d go and check it out.

 

I went to couple of skating sessions when the Derby League was being set up in Wellington but it’s been a while. The local girls are called The Richter City Rollers and they are billed as an all girl roller league with Seismic Levels of Aggression! Should I be worried? They sounded so nice when I emailed them. My greatest fear going into the practice is breaking something! This is a sport where helmets, mouth guards and padding are required. Yikes!

I’m off to a ‘freshmeat’ session; a training practice for those who have not done derby before so I’m hoping I’m safe! The trainer for the freshmeat training is Suffer Jet. (All the players have derby names so go to a session and you’re likely to run into Ruby Deathskates, Rita Anguish or Tuff Bikkies). The lovely Artemisia Nova has loaned me her skates and padding as she is on the bench with an injury this week. So, I’m set - let’s rock and roll!

No broken bones, I didn’t even fall over…much. Obviously falling over is a big part of a derby bout as we spent much of our session learning how to fall over without injury; my favourite fall was the ‘rockstar’. We also learnt how to push someone to make them go faster, which I did badly and almost ruined another skater's derby career before it began. I discovered that going really, really fast rocks until you have to stop, I could do the fast but utterly awful at the stopping, I guess that’s why walls were invented.
 
The next day… I’m feeling good but have pain in my posterior from my less than graceful falling practice.

 

I’m thinking the world is a safer place with me staying away from team sports, especially on wheels. I always thought I was made an exercise instructor as I had some talent, I’m thinking now they were just keeping me a safe distance from everyone else in the class.

It’s roller skating girls, what else do I need to say?! The whole culture of derby means there is an element of dressing up and theatre about it so while it’s a serious sport there are all about having fun with it. So far as workouts go, it’s the real deal and perfect for those who like to live and breathe their sport as you’ll be attending practices and helping with fundraising as well as training.

 

This is not a sport for those with a low pain threshold or fear of women in ripped tights and tattoos. If you are short on time or not good with commitment then you might be better rocking up to the local roller rink with a friend for support (literally), hiring a pair of skates and going for it- just avoid crashing into the kids…not a good look.

 

Currently there are roller derby leagues in Wellington, Auckland, Northland, New Plymouth and Christchurch. If you are Wellington based then go to www.richtercity.co.nz for more info. All the NZ and international leagues and contacts are listed at www.derbyroster.com.

 

WANT TO CHECK OUT A DERBY BOUT? Put the Saturday, March 28 in your diary and go and see Wellington’s Richter City Rollers in action- more details on their website.