I enjoyed Whip It, Drew Barrymore’s movie about a Texas teen (Ellen Page!) who ran away to join the roller derby. The soundtrack is one of my favorite “get up NOW!” aides. So when my friend suggested we see the championship games of the DC Rollergirls, the Federal City’s “all-female, amateur, flat-track roller derby league,” we went. This isn’t the same type of roller derby as in the movie: There isn’t a special arena, but the energy, the tongue-in-cheek names (the Whip It heroine became “Babe Ruthless“), and the unabashed geyser of girl power were familiar. We LOVED it!
Playing were all four of the area teams: Cherry Blossom Bombshells, DC DemonCats (of the awesome logo), Majority Whips, and Scare Force One. The spectators were supportive and seemed to include many of the skaters’ family members: parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, friends, and lots of children–this is a family-friendly event. Here was a home crowd for everyone. Plus, cookies were sold to support the teams. The Rollergirls is a non-profit outfit, run entirely by the skaters themselves, so bring cash (the cookies are amazing).
The venue: DC Armory. Not new.
My favorite support unit was for the Majority Whips skater “Frak You”: Both parents wore identifying shirts, and grandma came in team color.
Derby names were fun: “Stabigail Adams,” “Queen Kamayhemayhem,” “Velocityraptor,” “Bruisehilda.” How cool are these women? Very.
Action was fast and often furious. My grasp of the rules remains tenuous, but explanatory reading material is provided, if one is so inclined. It was just as fun without it.
Scare Force One vs. Cherry Blossom Bombshells: Saying Hello
The two games were rough and competitive, but, in the end, everybody won. Scare Force One just won by 100 more points.
The coveted trophy was presented, and the elated spectators and teams headed home, just as the DC United fans began piling out of the RFK Stadium next door. Parking by DC Armory, the usual venue for the Rollergirls, is a nightmare for this reason. Choose metro and its Blue/Orange line stop “Stadium-Armory.” We foolishly didn’t. Still, even an hour of being stuck at the parking lot did not mar the day one bit. And, LOOK, the 2013 bouts are about to begin: The DC Rollergirls Schedule is online. Do go, these women really need a warehouse.
Aptly captured: Sorry, DC Rollergirls official
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Love this post and what fun!! And the names are so clever and hilarious. If your area has a semi-pro hockey team, check them out. They’re always fun as well.
Thank you! It was so much fun to be there–and I enjoyed the sense of community. I will check on the semi-pro hockey team front. Everything here seems to be dominated by our pro team, the Capitals. Thank you, as always, for stopping by.
Now I feel inspired to go watch a derby or two. Thanks
It’s fun, Lyn! The women and their supporters are great, and the feel of the event is just so happy, edgy-welcoming, and friendly.
I must go see it — looks like a ton of fun. A friend of a friend tried out for the DC team. She didn’t make it but she’s going to try again. Love the last photo.
I hope she gets in–it looks like a great group to be part of!
Oh my this would be an AMAZING event to attend. How much fun!
It was! The mood of it all was just so positive and warm–and, yes, very fun.
Yay, I’m glad you had fun! Scare Force was FINALLY defeated last weekend. Hope you join us again before season 7 ends!
I will try! It was so cool to watch you all be awesome and have fun. Thank you for stopping by here.