October 20, 2010
Part theatrics, part athletics, roller derby brings girl power to the skating rink.
Story and photos by Hope Rurik
The roster reads No. 79 Eat My Poussiere, No. 11KO Pink Panther Assassin, No. 6 Bexcalibur, No. AK47 Frisky Risky, No. 8 Blood'n'Bones among 10 others. The uniforms consist of a T-shirt paired with bloomers, shorts or skirts and accented by fishnets or patterned socks. The action is about speed, agility and scoring points, even if it means getting and giving more than a few bruises. The sport is roller derby and the home team is the Acadiana Good Times Rollers.
October 20, 2010
Part theatrics, part athletics, roller derby brings girl power to the skating rink.
Story and photos by Hope Rurik
The roster reads No. 79 Eat My Poussiere, No. 11KO Pink Panther Assassin, No. 6 Bexcalibur, No. AK47 Frisky Risky, No. 8 Blood'n'Bones among 10 others. The uniforms consist of a T-shirt paired with bloomers, shorts or skirts and accented by fishnets or patterned socks. The action is about speed, agility and scoring points, even if it means getting and giving more than a few bruises. The sport is roller derby and the home team is the Acadiana Good Times Rollers.
In their Southern Smackdown bout against the Capital Offenders from Baton Rouge, the Rollers seek blood following an earlier loss against the team.
The mild applause upon the Offenders' entrance signals the presence of outside fans, but the trembling walls and shaking ground that accompany the Rollers prove the team has drawn a devoted and enthusiastic following.
Seated in the "crash zone," Tiffany Johnson cradles a homemade sign for No. 14 Abby McStabby with the phrase "fall in my lap" written near the bottom. In the crash zone, there is a good chance that a derby girl will involuntarily use a spectator as a landing pad. This seating area is 18 and older only. Those looking to enjoy the bout - and maybe a cold beer - with a little more peace of mind can grab a seat in one of the chairs set up on either end of the rink or on the bleachers safely behind the Plexiglas.
Like most American pastimes, the bout begins following the National Anthem, sung by derby girl No. 312, Nestle Quick.
The referees and derby girls start out by giving a demonstration of a "jam" to familiarize new fans.
The bout consists of two 30-minute halves comprising two-minute jams. In a jam, a group of four girls from each team skates out on the first whistle. The jammers, marked by a star on their helmets and who set the pace and score points, start skating on the second whistle. The first jammer to make it through the pack of girls without a penalty becomes the lead jammer and has the ability to call off the jam before the two minutes are up for strategic reasons, usually to keep the other jammer from scoring, by putting her hands on her hips.
After the lead jammer is determined, each jammer is tracked by a referee who declares points by holding up the number with his or her hand. Jammers earn a point for each opposing team member they pass.
Another two girls from each team are designated as blockers, distinguished by a stripe down their helmets, and are responsible for protecting the jammer and getting her through the pack. The other girls on the track focus on clearing the way for their jammer and keeping the opposing jammer from getting through. Girls are penalized for using elbows or forearms, for tripping, intentionally falling, pushing, grabbing and for fighting. Generally this means diverting opposing team members with the upper-body as a whole. Do girls still fall? Yes, and hard. No. 35 Becky N'Rage was one of two derby girls who needed medic attention on the track during the Smackdown.
"The athleticism is real," says Rachel Whittle, aka derby girl No. 412 Jean Vie Éclair. "The hard hits are real."
That contact action has fans like Jovan Pierre coming back for more.
"I love it. Before football season started, this is what kept me watching sports," says Pierre. "I'm glad it's on Saturdays so that I don't have to choose between the two."
Pierre, along with friends Chad and Donna Markerson, have made an event out of derby night.
"It's the only sporting event we've come to as a couple," says Donna Markerson. "We tailgate before the bouts. It's been a good excuse to get everyone together and do something different."
During half time, there is even a game for kids. Announcer Ambassador Castrate orchestrates the event by calling up kids in groups of 6 years and under and then 7 to 10 years old. The kids get to chase down a derby girl with bandanas affixed flag football-style around her waist. After they get back to start, waving their spoils, the kids were sent out of the rink to pick up Acadiana Good Times Roller swag.
The second half of the bout is rough, with the Rollers determined to pull ahead of the Offenders. Despite their efforts, the score after the final jam is 159-140 in the Offenders' favor. These girls don't roll off the rink hanging their heads, though. After the bout, both teams get together for a group picture, and then head out to Brewski's to celebrate.
According to Whittle, Derby rolled into Lafayette last July when Laurie "AccostHer Wilde" Hayes moved home to Lafayette and decided she could not live without the hobby she had discovered while away at college in Virginia. She, along with Kat "Becky Sharp" Brent and Heather "Frau Lulu" Says started the Acadiana Good Times Rollers, and although they have all moved on from the league, Whittle says they will always be credited as the creators. The Rollers and most other teams in the area subscribe to the rules set down by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, but they do not belong to the association at this time. The skaters range in age from 20 to 52 and in occupation from full-time moms to students.
"We're a group of women from all different walks of life who do this, but are ultimately seeking to better the community," explains Whittle.
Back in the crash zone, Zacharius Cheramie, seated with Tiffany Johnson, says they have attended most home games this season to cheer on Johnson's former roommate, Abby McStabby.
"It can be hard to follow," says Cheramie, "but it just takes watching it a while to figure it out. I don't really like sports, but I get excited with this."
Johnson says she doesn't think it's just the game that has Cheramie enthralled.
"It's because of the girls in short shorts and skirts," she says.
"It doesn't hurt," concedes Cheramie.
The Rollers donate a portion of proceeds to charities following each bout. Their next bout, Boutin' for Boobies, on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Top Shelf Sports in Youngsville will benefit breast cancer awareness and research. Tickets are $10 from derby girls before the bout and $12 at the door.