Nor Cal Roller Girls bout at Cal Skate, Chico, Calif. May 12, 2012
Donna and I found a different kind of fun on Saturday night, May 12, 2012, when we attended the . Sensory overload included big-personality skaters whirling around the rink, sometimes landing on their padded butts, along with pulsating 1980s and '90s rock and hip-hop pop. The home team lost both bouts, first to the Undead Bettys of the East Bay Area and then to the Ventura County Derby Darlins, but it was all in good fun. This was not the violent, fist-fighting roller derby that we used to watch on TV a long time ago; instead, all teams were headed to local water hole, The Maltese for post-bout camaraderie - and beer. According to the Undead Bettys' website, "Roller derby is an intense, fast-paced, full contact aggressive sport that is not for the faint of heart but is dedicated to the empowerment and fitness of women." All images ŠAlan Sheckter / AlSheck@comcast/net.
Nor Cal Roller Girls double header
Nor Cal Roller Girls
"Crunch Yo Numbaz," "Rebelations," and "Slappa Ho"
Pre-bout Hi fives between the Nor Cal Roller Girls and Undead Bettys
"Dutch Crunch," "Van Destroyer," and "Gin Fluenza"
Fighting for position
"Slappa Ho" (left) races "Candi Razor"
"Booty Basher" (left) and "One Hit Wonder" take a defensive stand
"Gonzo" (left) ready to play defense
"Lil Bit Misbehaved"
"Swift D. Mize" (left) and "Wheelie Hot"
Two Undead Bettys in the penalty box
"Bad Roll Mance" (left) and "Lil Bit Misbehaved"
"Slappa Ho"
"Blood Thirsty"
"Wheelie Hot" (left) and "Swift D. Mize"
Team meeting
"Swift D. Mize" ready to go
"Swift D. Mize" (left) and Undead Betty opponent vie for position