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706 543.9900
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do-it-yourself sensibility suffused with riot grrrl
m spirit combines with a unique brand of athleticism
t K in the Classic City Rollergirls, Athens' roller derby
league that is set to launch its 2008 season with
a boot camp for new recruits. The league's inaugural season
included competition between its two teams, the Hittin' Misses
and the Dames of Maim, as well as an all-star traveling team
of elite skaters taking on leagues from Charlotte, Asheville,
Nashville and Savannah.
The Classic City Rollergir’s make up one of about 200
leagues that are part of an ever-growing sports subculture.
The current derby resurgence began in 2001 in Austin, TX, and
the Jiewly-fashioned form of derby is gradually emerging from
the shadows of its less reputable past. Contemporary derby
is worlds apart from the WWE-
style staged fights of yesteryear.
Legitimate sport has replaced nov
elty spectacle. The kitschy trap
pings of derby's past that remain,
such as the uniforms and pun-
tastic derby names of the skaters,
are served up with a healthy dose
of hipster irony.
But potential rollergirls
shouldn't be fooled by the showy
presentation. As Dames of Maim
captain Knockin' Bootsy warns,
"Some people come into it ready
to have a skate name and wear
fishnet tights, with a preconceived
idea of being a 'rollergirl' that
doesn't always include teamwork
or sweating your ass off in a roller
rink in the middle of August.
Roller derby is a sport, and you
have to commit to that."
Derby is first and foremost
an athletic challenge. And the
challenge is substantial. Skaters
are adept at balancing keen
perception, rough-and-tumble
physicality, speed, agility and
endurance. "Multitasking is key,"
explains Poke A. Dot. "As a skater,
you need to play both an offensive and defensive role at the
same time. You have to be aware of everything that's going
on around you and adjust in a split second." A tough skin
undeterred by routine bumps, bruises and "rink rash" is also
imperative. The downside to the violence, however, is offset by
the cathartic release that comes with participating in the only
full-contact sport for women, asserts Hittin' Misses captain
Nell Bomb: "The satisfaction you get from knocking someone
down makes it totally worth it."
Despite the physical rigors necessary to be a successful
skater, any novice with the right commitment can join the
ranks of the rollergirls and learn the requisite skills. Skating
proficiency isn't even a prerequisite for participation. "Some
Dames of Maim team captain Knockin’ Bootsy on the rink.
of our best skaters had never skated before when they joined,"
notes league president Ire Starter. "If I can do it, anyone can,"
says Poke. "No one comes into derby being an expert. While
many skated before, derby requires so many more skills that we
don't have from other sports. While derby is a rough contact
sport, we do everything we can to make sure that the skat
ers learn how to protect themselves when they play. No one
scrimmages until they're at the appropriate skill level. We don't
want to throw people into the mix until they're ready." The
upcoming boot camp will provide newbies with a kiddie pool in
which to test the waters. "We'll be spending a lot of time on
basic derby skills and attendees will be with other girls at their
level, so we hope it will be a more comfortable environment to
learn in," Bootsy says.
In addition to the fun of
smashing into fellow skaters and
gliding around on wheels, the rol
lergirls insist that derby is fulfill
ing beyond the confines of the
rink. In the skater-operated league
that has made great strides since
starting from scratch in 2006,
participants double as athletes
and behind-the-scenes administra
tion responsible for all aspects of
keeping the league up and run
ning, in addition to being actively
involved in community outreach.
As a result of collectively pursuing
such an undertaking, a tight-knit
bond has developed among league
members, who range in age from
18 to 40-plus and come from an
array of backgrounds. "I love that
we do it all... I've met some really
fantastic, smart, strong women
through skating," emphasizes
Poke. Thrashley, captain of the
travel team, agrees: "My favor
ite thing about the rollergirls is
all of the camaraderie that has
developed between such a diverse
group of women in just a year of
training together."
The boot camp for new skaters will be held at Skate-a-
Round USA, 3030 Cherokee Rd., on Jan. 14, 16, 21 and 23 from
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Further information about the league and the
upcoming boot camp can be found at www.classiccityrollergirls.
com. Potential recruits are encouraged to pre-agister for boot
camp by emailing recruitment@classiccityrollergirls.com.
Thrashley promises that there's nothing to lose: "I don't
think that anybody who shows up at the boot camp will be
disappointed. Even if you decide derby isn't for you, if you
like skating or think you want to learn how, the four nights of
training should be a lot of fun."
Jennifer Bryant
10 FLAGPOLE.COM • JANUARY 9,2008
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