Riotous Roller Grrrls

Athens Roller Derby Revs Up For Second Season

originally published January 9, 2008

A do-it-yourself sensibility suffused with riot grrrl spirit combines with a unique brand of athleticism 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 Rollergirls 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 newly-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 novelty spectacle. The kitschy trappings 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 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 skaters 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 rollergirls insist that derby is fulfilling 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 administration responsible for all aspects of keeping the league up and running, 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 favorite 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-register 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