Babes on Wheels

The basic premise of roller derby is that a bunch of women bang each other — that is, bang into each other — on roller skates. But there's more to it than glorified catfighting. Each of the two teams chooses one fast, flinty skater to make as many circuits around...

By Penn Bullock

August 18, 2011

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The basic premise of roller derby is that a bunch of women bang each other — that is, bang into each other — on roller skates. But there's more to it than glorified catfighting. Each of the two teams chooses one fast, flinty skater to make as many circuits around the track as possible to score points. The player has to be flanked by her teammates, because the opposing side can do pretty much anything — from nudging to ramming to outright, NHL-style beating — to stop her progress. South Florida's Gold Coast Derby Grrls have been a team since 2007, and they've made it to the regionals. This month, they'll roll against the Fort Myers Derby Girls at the War Memorial, which seems like an appropriate venue for vicious beatdowns.
Sat., Aug. 27, 7 p.m., 2011

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