This weekend we attended our first roller derby. How did we get here you might ask?
Last weekend we watched Roll Bounce (a very cute movie about rollerskating set in the 70s, if you haven't seen it) and afterwards I was curious if there was roller skating in Boise. While searching I came across the Treasure Valley Roller Girls
Lucky for us they had a bout in town this weekend.
If you have never attended a roller derby bout you are in for a treat. The match was at the Idaho Exposition Hall. They had bleachers set-up on one side, decorated for each of the four teams competing, and lines painted/taped to the concrete floor serving as a rink. They gave a little demo and tried to explain the rules. The basic premise is that the player with the 'star' on their helmet (the jammer) is trying to work their way through the pack to earn points. In the demo they went pretty slow and weren't really hitting each other.
During the actual matches the skaters are moving pretty quick. It's a lot like watching a NASCAR restrictor plate race. The crowd is always eagerly anticipating a wreck. The ladies do not disappoint, it wasn't unusual at all for a 2-4 girl pile-up to occur in the corners. And when they do the crowd lets up a loud cheer. The coolest part of the sport is that once they have wrecked they players have to get back up and catch the pack to keep going at it.
It takes a certain type of woman to be a roller girl. I'm not exactly sure that I know anyone who fits the bill but there were all ages out there. Several women had their kids in the stands dressed in team colors.
Overall the crowd was a lot like a NASCAR race, lots of tattoos and beer (though they were serving Fat Tire Ale)yet surprisingly family friendly. There were lots of family members and friends in the stands.
We watched two 20 minute halves and the half-time show. The half-time preformance was a Maori Poi dance using balls that were on fire. She was also a player on one of the teams.
Now that we have been to a Roller Derby would we go again? Joanie and I agree that it was fun and tickets were only $10. When you live in Boise you've got to take advantage of what's around.
9 comments:
Name-checking NASCAR and restrictor plate racing...She's definitely gone country!
Will Joan be participating in the Roller Derby one of these days?
For the record, JOSH posted this blog, not ME!!! And no. I will not be participating in roller derby one of these days.
BTW there is a Baltimore Roller Derby as well. Check them out: http://www.charmcityrollergirls.com/. Haven't been though, not sure it's really baby-friendly. Dear god my world has changed....
Jana, if it's anything like the one in Boise, Kieran would be welcome. I saw at least three babies. Not children. Babies!
PS. I looked at B'More's site. Those bouts look WAY more professional and at a safer distance from the rink ;-)
You should go.
Amy B. tried this for a bit I believe. Or was that speed skating. Maybe it was nutty Holly that did that. Come on Joanie I could totally see you in a roller derby (2 pigtails) NOT!
Josh, your dentist called. He said he will remove any number of teeth you may still need pulled to fit right in out there.
I keep telling Joanie that she needs to try this as she claims that she roller skates. However she also claims that she and Jana played racquetball growing up but I've never gotten her onto a court!!
i play for the Charm City Roller Girls, and I assure you that our bouts are all ages friendly, including for babies! Many of our skaters are moms, and we have a few new moms who will definitely be bringing their own little ones.
We are playing at the DuBurns Arena, and you can have a seat far away from the action, up in the bleachers.
The bout is this Saturday!
www.charmcityrollergirls.com
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