“The last time I wore skates, they had Barbies on them.”
Bliss Cavendar [Ellen Page], WHIP IT
For someone who is usually averse to watching sports, I was surprised at how excited I got when WHIP IT hit the theatres. But who could blame me for my newfound affection for Roller Derby? Hot women on skates ramming into each other, blaring 80s music, cool outfits, and fist fights - like a way sexier and more interesting version of hockey. The athleticism and strategy intrigued me and made me curious about how this game really works. Plus, there’s just something about watching strong, confident women who aren’t ashamed to strut their strength and confidence while throwing each other into the crowd.
Film has become a great medium to not only entertain, but to draw attention to the opportunities within the sport itself, and the passionate people who are involved in this unique game. Before WHIP IT, there was Blood On The Flat Track. This 2007 documentary, a favourite at film festivals, followed the famous Rat City Rollergirls of Seattle for their first two seasons. Starting from scratch in 2004, the Rat City Rollergirls are now among the most successful leagues in athletic competition. At a bout in March of this year, they had over 5,000 attendees, which is the largest attendance to women’s roller derby in history.
Clearly, Roller Derby is making a gradual but well-deserved comeback, even in our own backyard. The Calgary Roller Derby Association (CRDA) was founded in 2007, and boasts three home teams as well as an all-star travel team.
While the media has been a friend of Roller Derby, it has sometimes served to reinforce stereotypes about the game and the girls who play it. Carla Walquist (aka Scarla Maim) is the founder of the CRDA as well as the Captain of Calgary’s Thrashin Lassies. “I have found educating the public both about the existence of our league and then subsequently about the validity of it as a sport has been a focus, which in turn brings folks out to games,” says Scarla. “Trying to neutralize the stereotype that many have, of what kind of girl makes a ‘rollergirl’ can also be challenging. We come from everywhere and do everything.”
Roller Derby is distinctive in its mix of serious sport and serious play. Alter-egos are not only encouraged, they are mandated, and this becomes a huge part of the game for players and fans alike.
“Developing an alter-ego that liberates the zany superhero side of yourself is by far the most fun,” says Joleen Sadler (aka Trophy Wife). “Imagine yourself as a superhero...what would you call yourself? What would your outfit look like? What powers would you possess?”
Trophy Wife, Co-Captain of the B52 Bellas and member of the all-star Hellion Rebellion, has been playing Roller Derby since 2005, but hasn’t always felt confident on four wheels.
“When I first decided that I wanted to play, I figured that I better learn how to skate,” she laughs. “I bought a pair of skates from a second-hand store for 5 dollars, and they were about 4 sizes too big. I practiced for hours and hours, learning how to stop, do a crossover, and fell down a lot.”
But her hard work paid off, and she was taken on as Fresh Meat (new girl) on the Vancouver Bad Reputations and trained by one of the top Derby girls in Canada, Lisa Suggitt (aka RollerGirl).
Joining the Calgary Derby scene last year, Trophy is passionate about the game, but admits that it’s no cake-walk to be a derby girl. “Conditioning is tough in this sport, and if you’re not bringing your A-game to every situation, your body pays the price. It’s so much fun, but it’s a lot of work. Some people think it’s staged, that it’s not a real sport. But I can assure you, it’s all real. We practice hard, at least twice a week during the off-season and up to three or four times a week during. You can’t be a wimp and do Roller Derby. It’s intense, but worth it.”
The challenges and rewards aren’t only physical, says Kathleen Janzen (aka Roxy Acetylene) who shares the Co-Captain post of the B52 Bellas with Trophy. “It is totally daunting to face the hardness of concrete and of women who want to see you taste that concrete,” she states. “But there is nothing more satisfying than learning to conquer fear. That you are just as tough as the women who oppose you, that you are fast and strong, that you can challenge someone who is twice your size and be a pain in her ass, and that you can slam into concrete at high speed and be up and skating before the audience has even finished gasping.”
Off the track, the CRDA comes up against obstacles to providing Calgary with the Derby experience, particular with securing practice and game space. “The biggest challenge for CRDA is to find appropriate space to practice and bout in; we need a large open space with smooth floor and no supporting pillars to crash into. Arenas are only available to us when the ice comes up for the summer,” Roxy says.
“We are currently looking for league sponsors, specifically to help us find regular practice space,” adds Trophy. “This has been a hot topic for our league over the past several years. With consistent space for our league to expand and practice we could continue to offer this great experience to women in Calgary and surrounding areas.”
Support for this sport seems like a no-brainer considering that you don’t have to look hard to see why the game can keep even an “anti-sporty” like me, glued to my seat.
“This is a female only, full contact game, where there are massive hits and pile ups, downed girls being jumped, girls flying into the audience, sitting in the suicide seating section (front row) as a result of said massive hits, insanely fast skating, and dodging and counter hits on the part of the jammers,” says Scarla. “There is a beer garden, concessions, vendor village, derby merch, door prize draws, strong and beautiful women knocking the hell out of each other, and all while doing it with a smile on their face. What else do you need?!”
“Derby has something for everyone,” Roxy says, “fast-paced, high action athleticism, colourful characters, bad-ass saucy ladies, a little bit of theatre, rocking music and of course boisterous audience cheering.”
Those unfamiliar with the rules of Roller Derby need not worry. “We do a quick explanation of how it works before each game,” shares Trophy. “When you get to know the game, it’s fascinating. With a dash of red lipstick, a dollop of athletic spunk, and a sprinkle of full tilt Derby Heroes and Villains vying for victory, it’s a performance that leaves you changed forever!”
The CRDA Season opener is coming up on April 24th at the Triwood Arena. Last season’s underdogs, the B52 Bellas, will be taking on last years champions, the Trashin’ Lassies, to combat, skate to skate, for glory.
With the new season looming in the air, and the smell of competition just around the corner, team rivalry is in full bloom. “This season we will triumph over both the Thrashin’ Lassies and the Cut Throat Car Hops, and we are looking forward to seeing them battle it out for the bottom place in the league,” Roxy says confidently. But Scarla has something a little different in mind. “My Lassies will be coming at the Bellas with everything they have, and then some. They better not come into it thinking anything less. We are the team with the heart of a lion and this will serve us well for the season opener. Kicking ass and taking names will be our game plan.”
So check out the game this month and if you’re looking to get even more down and dirty with the CRDA, they are always looking for referees and volunteers to join their derby family. As for me, I’ll be customizing a big foam finger (Whip it good!) for the season opener of my new favourite sport. 