Skate or die

February 17, 2005 12:50 AM

Texas Rollergirls for those who miss the NHL.
posted by drezdn (20 comments total)

And if they need a league commissioner Gary Bettman's available--no, he'd probably screw this up too.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 4:02 AM on February 17, 2005

Well at least there's something to watch now the NHL is in limbo
posted by Chrisuk43 at 4:03 AM on February 17, 2005

We've got that in arizona, too...
posted by ph00dz at 5:52 AM on February 17, 2005

Don't forget the competition, the Lonestar Rollergirls. Same town (Austin), same concept. Lonestar was the first league and Texas was created two years later by unhappy Lonestar skaters.
posted by melt away at 5:59 AM on February 17, 2005

ph00dz: The Arizona teams came to Austin. There are photos of the event but I'm not sure who won.
posted by melt away at 6:04 AM on February 17, 2005

It's sweeping the nation. The Kansas City Roller Warriors season starts in about a month. I saw their exhibition bout in January and had a blast.

Wayne's Derby World is an excellent blog covering Roller Derby all over the place.
posted by Gimpson at 6:42 AM on February 17, 2005

Is dodgeball going out of favour as the latest hipster sport or something?
posted by PenDevil at 7:04 AM on February 17, 2005

Suicide Girls on skates?

Nothing but a T&A show.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 7:25 AM on February 17, 2005

Blade is a friend's neighbour. I've met her and I think she'd slit your face for suggesting that, DieHipsterDie. These are some mean ladies.
posted by picea at 7:29 AM on February 17, 2005

Never said they weren't tough girls.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 7:30 AM on February 17, 2005

There are a few teams here in MN. Word is half of the members can barely skate. They're cute though.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 7:35 AM on February 17, 2005

They derby in NYC as well. The new season starts in April.
posted by lilboo at 7:52 AM on February 17, 2005

In Seattle, too.
posted by xmutex at 8:52 AM on February 17, 2005

What's wrong with a T&A show?
posted by bardic at 8:55 AM on February 17, 2005

Anna Mosity & Voodoo Doll.

wow. good stuff.
posted by Zampa at 9:07 AM on February 17, 2005

Don't forget Minnesota. First bout February 27.
posted by tvjunkie at 9:53 AM on February 17, 2005

Never going away. It's like wrestling but with skates and teamwork. Long ago TNN, when it was the Nashville network, bought in and started running "Rollerjam" -- the only link that still works is a great fansite -- here. We must've done 4 or 5 seasons, during which TNN became the National Network and decided to try to clean up its act until it gave up on that and went for the James Bond marathon that is Spike TV.

Silicone implants. Crazy stunt dudes. Effeminate ex-track runners. Good times.
posted by cavalier at 9:58 AM on February 17, 2005

North Carolina. I blogged their first real bout last December, with links to lots of pics. It was fantastic; both teams skated hard and really knocked each other around without getting into moronic fights (a couple of them are pals, if that matters). Over 300 people showed up, from tiny kids to grandparents, all enjoying the hell out of themselves. The first season starts March 13 in Raleigh.

I think the arrival of independent, self-starting rollergirl teams all across the USA over the past year or two is a real hopeful sign for this damn culture.

Nothing but a T&A show.

Depends on which team you're watching. Some play that up more than others. The folks behind the Carolina Rollergirls tell me they're much more interested in learning the game and playing it well than in simple crowd tittilation. Judging from what I've seen, they mean it.
posted by mediareport at 6:03 PM on February 17, 2005

Actually, they're just normal people who do this for kicks, from what I gather. This girl happens to be a kindergarten teacher at my kid's school. Every one there thinks she's a fabulous teacher, and the kids all love the fact that she's a roller-derby queen. All the parents I've talked to think it's a hoot, too.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:55 PM on February 17, 2005

It's like wrestling but with skates and teamwork.

That, and it's not fake. There are a few bits thrown in there solely for the crowd's entertainment, but believe you me, these girls compete for real, they compete hard, and they break real bones. It's an actual sport with actual rules, and it's still pretty fun to watch it from that angle, once the initial shock of "OMG catholic school girls look panties!" wears off. Disclaimer: a friend of mine skates with TXRG, and I did their website for a year or so, when they were starting up. Still, it's a hell of a good time, and it's cool to see all the rollergirl leagues springing up all over the country.
posted by majcher at 8:43 PM on February 17, 2005