Down and Dirty with Roller Derby

Down and Dirty with Roller Derby

Down and Dirty with Roller Derby

One more American holiday to celebrate is August 13th. In 1935 this date is cited as the official birthday of Roller Derby and with that, Leo Seltzer's Transcontinental Roller Derby came to be.

Leo, a film publicist thought it would be quite an idea to extend Dance-A-Thons. Within this, his brain child was born, Skate-A-Thons. What was originally created to simulate skating from LA to NY with 24 people skating in a circle over...and over...and over again became more of a contact/race event. Players were encouraged to pass and of course, with this, came the contact. The audience, like patrons of a gladiator show, obviously enjoyed watching the elbowing, whipping and crashing. This was entertainment they so desired! But, with the sweets came the sours and the depression swept away the derby's thunder. But it only lie silent for a short time.

Then came the 70's with Glitz, disco, men dressed in glam (mmm..David Bowie) and Roller Jam came to fruition on our TV's. Some of that momentum was lost again in the 90's, but in 2001 Roller Derby would make it's shout loud and clear that it was here to stay. They are Women, hear them roar. The SHE-CEO pioneers from Austin, TX had revamped the game into an innovated Roller Rink version. In 2004 the Women's Flat Track Association (WFTDA) was formed. These ladies with their similar drive and love for derby stamped it into everyone's brains that derby is in fact a sport.

Professionals, amateurs, it doesn't matter. With love or hate to bring to the rink we as the fans say, "Here we are now, entertain us."

Tell me what it's all a-"bout"

If you want to sound like you know what you're talking about, you will need to refer to a game of Roller Derby as a "Bout". It's actually a boxing term that fits perfectly, because a jam is a fight to the end.

Also, yes, there are many stereotypes in Roller Derby. One of them is that elbows being thrown left and right, along with tripping and clotheslinging is a daily routine. Negative! There are rules and regulations in the WFTDA, afterall. Another is that there are only tattooed, suicide girl types playing roller derby. That is also not the case. Grandmas, school teachers and the girl next door are just a few who you may see in a bout.

Suicide Seats? What the deuce? These are seats that are about 10 ft. from the track and are arguably the best seats in the house. If not only for the close up action, but because you may also get the rush of being in a bout.

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