Houston Roller Derby kicks ass
I went to the inaugural bout of the fledging Houston Roller Derby league this weekend. In a word: awesome. It was held in the ballroom of the Arabia Shrine at North Braeswood and Kirby, and I’d say there were at least 500 spectators in attendance.
It’s a bit like professional wrestling. The pageantry is hilarious. Lots of spotlights, music and drunken cheering. The names are fun, too. The teams have names like Machete Betties and Psych Ward Sirens. The players names are often take-offs of famous women (Dismae West, Elle McFierce, Ashley Juggs), goofy puns (Tex Offender, Carmen Geddit, Ivana B. Sedated) or just tough-sounding monikers (Crasher, Beverly Kills, Chewcifer).
The crowd was diverse in just about every respect. I saw men, women, little kids, old folks, clean-cut suburbanites and dudes with more piercings than fingers. Just about the broadest cross-section of Houston that you could cut. Interestingly, though, the crowd was pretty much all-white, but the best player out there (“Death by Chocolate”) was black.
Here’s how the game works. Both teams line up in a big pack. Each team has a pivot in front and three blockers behind her. In the back is each teams Jammer, the only girl who can score. The teams take off at the first whistle. At the second whistle, the Jammers race ahead and elbow their way through the pack. Once they get in front of the pack, they can lap the pack for points. A Jammer scores a point for every girl she passes. Jams last two minutes, but can be called off by the lead Jammer. Here are the rules in more detail.
Basically, this leads to a couple fast chicks maneuvering about nimbly, while other chicks try to knock the hell out of them. A good time was had by all.
It was a pretty good turnout.
Members of the Psych Ward Sirens warm up.
One of the Burlesque Brawlers gets ready for action.
The play-by-play commentary sucked ass.
A bout in progress.
Next bout is Saturday, April 29. I’ve got a Knights of Columbus event, so hopefully it’ll be over in time for the bout. Roller Derby rules.
Posted to Houston,Out and About,Photos,Sports
14 comments
Well, don’t I feel like an idiot for missing it.
A couple of these girls were on the Rod Ryan Show (94.5 in the morning for the uninitiated) and it sounded like a bit of fun. Don’t know if I would make it a habit, though.
So would you say this is a viable destination for a date? Or do you think the women folk would not find it as awesome as the guy folk?
Totally viable. There were a lot of women in attendance.
Arghhhh Puhlease Matt I beg of you in the name of Ansel Adams and all things 35mm digital puhlease check out Ritz Camera for a nice Nikon D-50 kit. Or consider hiring me at reduced rates to take your pics for you.
Gawd I love women in thick pads and skates.
Thanks for the props and coming out to support Houston Roller Derby. It’s some great action and I’m glad you got to see it.
DBC aka Death By Chocolate
Bayou City Bosse$
Wow, it’s DBC!
Y’all need to go out and watch this girl skate. She’s good. Thanks for reading, DBC!
Glad you enjoyed it! Of course it was our very first bout ever, and we have a few glitches to work out that we’re workin on, but all-in-all it was a huge success… and it’s only gonna get better… woo hoo!
Next bout: Sat. April 29th at 7pm – go to http://www.HoustonRollerDerby.com for more info.
Thanks for your support!
~pbj~
http://www.myspace.com/blonde_and_smart
Yeah, I give DBC props but the Sirens still schooled the Bosses. *heh* Great review there, Matt! I feel like you need a derby name now for being such a rockstar supporter. Everyone needs to come out April 29th game. I have a feeling there is going to be a fight
Mary Choppins
Psych Ward Sirens
Squawkbox, you can go to http://www.houstonrollerderby.com, photos, 2006 season, for more pictures of the bout!
DeMentia 13
Psych Ward Sirens
Yep I will have to make it to the games. I watched roller derby as a kid. Went into the service and came back and it was gone. I have always been a fan.
On a side note one of my very first foto assignments many years ago was a wrestling match.
Note to DeMentia 13. Thanks….great pictures.
Roller Derby took Houston by strom on April 9, 2006. With 1,600 people in attendence and another 100 turned away at the door due to capacity I say Houston Roller Derby is here to stay.
I give much respect to all skaters. In my eyes everyone rolled away a winner that night!
Many THANKS to everyones support and intrest in HRD. Without fans and support like yourself we would not be the same.
Please join us this Saturday 4/22/06 @
the MERIDIAN for the 1st Annual Houston Roller Derby PROM-o-RAMA
~A fundraiser to keep HRD rolling!
I keep tellin my wife to join up, but she won’t listen!
I love those bad ass bitchin roller derby queens!
P.S. Duhmoose
Going to a roller derby with a date is a great idea. Women like
to have fun and be entertained!