Oh, the sounds of roller derby

Note to reader: Last night I went to a local derby bout and fell in love all over again, resulting in a  derby high.  These are my thoughts, feelings and what not from this bout and my derby experiences.

 If you have never been to a roller derby bout (or game), you are missing out.

As most of you know, I have been playing roller derby for almost 2 years as Lucille Hardball.

Roller derby is not only a sport, but a new culture that is being unleashed into urban areas and taking the public by storm. Roller derby can be seen in current films, TV shows and even some magazines, commercials and local newspapers.

(source)

This is not the roller derby from the 60's, but a new generation of rules and attitude from the unique names, that some may refer to as crazy, to the booty shorts with fishnets.

(source)

While watching a bout you will be overwhelmed by the different sounds around you as well as the fierce scrambling of players throughout the pack (the area with the most amount of players not counting the jammers, stars on their heads) finding anyway within the rules to knock down or knock over players from the opposite teams. During the bout you hear the whistles, the yelling, the skates on the pavement, and the sporadic thuds of body parts hitting the ground followed by oohs and ahhs of the crowd.

(source)

In most cases, if you are not familiar with the strategy or how the game is played you will be confused by why the girls are moving that way and also mesmerized that you can accomplish "that" on skates. You will wonder how or even why someone skates and believe me everyone of those women has a story to tell that will inspire you to do the same. 

As I sat and watched this game that I have become so absorbed in, I talked to my neighbor who played in the 1960's. The sport, attire, attitude, rules and aesthetic have all changed that she asks during a practice drill she asks if it has started yet. She is unaware of the new crazed hobby and what it all entails. She remembers the hay day of practices 6x a week and when falling meant the jam was over. It's amazing that people have come to know this ever evolving sport.

Have you ever been to a bout? Did you love it? Have you ever wanted to try it?