The American phenomenon of women's full-contact roller-derby promises some big hits when the Pirate City Rollers league has its first bout in New Zealand.The Skateland Rollersports Rink in Panmure will host the clash between the Blackheart Bruisers clash and Dead Wreckoning on Saturday.
Dead Wreckoning captain Stacey `Pieces of Hate' Roper says it will be unlike anything seen here before.
"Chicks in short skirts and fishnet stockings on roller skates beating each other up," she says.
Roller-derby is an all-action sport with barging, weaving and spectacular falls, all at breakneck speed.
Two teams of eight skaters circle the rink in a bunch, each team jostling to block the other team's `jammer' from getting past and taking the win.
"It's a rush to get through the pack or block a jammer," says Ms Roper.
A skateboarder for many years, she took a little cajoling to pull the skates on but once on the rink she says "it's just like being 12 again".
Her boarding background has prepared her for the inevitable falls.
Bruisers captain Johanne `Josafiend' Anderson says she does it for the thrill of skating.
"When you're out there you're so focused on getting through the other eight people that nothing else matters," she says.
"If you're going to fall, you've got to fall forwards on to your knee pads and wrist guards."
Common injuries include broken tailbones, ripped triceps, broken wrists and plenty of bruises.
"Everyone's had injuries, you've just got to handle them," says Ms Roper.
The Pirate City Rollers wants to recruit two more teams for the league and has a recruitment night at the Thirsty Dog Tavern in Karangahape Rd every first Thursday of the month.
Practices are at the Skateland Rollersports Rink in Mountain Rd, Panmure, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8.30pm.
For more information and to find out how to join, email: pc–rollers@yahoo.com
By JUSTIN HEHEHAN - East And Bays Courier Wednesday, 21 March 2007
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