thanks to Ash and company for telling me about this. I’ve been totally swamped with helping my parents move house that I was starting to loose sight of life. Haven’t blogged in 9 days, barely uploaded any pictures, I was starting to get claustrophobic and needed to get the F*#% out of the house. and Jeff you called it, here’s the blog:

Went to the Arch Rival Roller Girls event last night, the Smashinistas vs Stunt Devils. The event opened with the dudes’ match, local Gatekeepers versus some team from Indy. They blew those training-wheel players out of the water, although the play was a little weak at times I was told. I say “I was told” because I really had no idea what I was watching. I could clearly see there was some agenda, but it takes time to read and figure out the position players. Still, it’s really intriguing to watch and there’s definitely lots of good moments to be had.

Most-impressed am I by the fact that almost no one is getting paid. The event barely covers its costs and all the proceeds go back into continuing to sponsor future events. The athletes are simply doing it for the sport, the notoriety, and the fun. It’s almost addictive to watch because at half-time I thought, “That’s it!?” – thankfully there was more to come.

And there are certain elements you simply have to love: the outfits – especially the socks and helmets!; the movements, motions and shifts to be seen in sudden on the track; and of course the names, names like “Polkadot Yr Eyeout”, “Mayor Francis Slayer” (you know if you’re from St. Louis), “Punches Pileup” – some wonderful nomenclatures that hint at what to expect!

I saw a helmet-handoff, only way I know to describe it, similar to a lateral pass in American football; and also a slingshot in the last round of the girls’ match even though the Smashinistas by that point had no chance of winning it was still a pretty sweet move!

It’s almost impossible however to get a “really really good photograph” without some 300mm zoom lens, as all the action is yards away (and I was sitting front row!). But it’s really something to be seen and experienced, like so much of life really!

Oh yeah! Recap! Well the Stunt Devils won which I was (also) told was to be expected (they won by 47 points to be specific); however the Smashinistas were clearly the crowd favorite, as every time their jammer broke through they got a lot more respective applause and jeer from fans and anti-fans alike. And it all hinged on one breakout round early on where the Stunt Devils racked up some good points and pulled away; it was something to do with a 2 and 4 in the pack phenomenon – I saw it happen but didn’t really understand it, but knew once the Stunt Devils took a significant lead it was simply a chase the rest of the evening.


The culture attached to roller derby is pretty remarkable, and includes everyone from local punk rockers to chopper-riding biker gangs, hoosiers and ordinary folk looking for cheap entertainment for the whole family. It’s very inclusive, and very approachable. Again, however, I really knew nothing of what I was watching.

Now the dance floor! That’s a different story! And yes, there was a man in green the whole night!


FULL SET on my Flickr

event