Article Contributed on: 5/29/2009 2:17:43 PM
The fastest growing sport in the United States has rolled right into Douglas County, donning a unique ensemble of tutus, DayGlo fishnet stockings, wild T-shirts.
The Castle Rock 'n' Rollers, an all-women flat track roller derby league consisting of players from all over Douglas County, began in November of last year, and is nearing its first bout on June 12, with the Naughty Pines Derby Dames.
The athletes' pseudonyms are even zanier than their outfits, and team members requested to only be identified by their derby names.
Inspired by the many skater-owned derby leagues in Denver and throughout the country, a group of women skaters, some who have had prior experience on other roller derby leagues, decided to start their own in Castle Rock. Now, as the league continues to recruit new members, it is only five players short of becoming a two-team league.
"We are a half shy of having two teams," said Incognito, of Highlands Ranch, and a blocker for the league. "We'd like to eventually have a varsity team and a team for up-and-coming players."
Roller derby, which is more like speed-skating and consists of skates with a short boot, is a physical sport. The object of roller derby is to push your team's jammer, or speed skater, through the opposing team's blockers, in hopes to have your jammer skate a lap, while blocking the opposing team's jammer from lapping around first. This is all done as five members from each team, including the jammers, skate in unison around an oval track.
Hitting, pushing, blocking and falling can be expected while protecting the jamming from opposing team members.
"It's very aggressive, but part of what we do during our practices is to learn how to hit and fall properly," Incognito said. "Since December, I've had two broken ribs and a broken elbow, but I am chalking it up to being a beginner."
Protective gear is required, such as skating helmets, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads.
Most the injuries the women get, Incognito said, is rink rash or bruises in the pattern of the fishnet stockings the women wear.
"These ladies are competitive, " said Sirius Blackout, the coach of the Castle Rock 'n' Rollers. "They've pushed each other to do better."
So much so, Sirius Blackout said you wouldn't know that most of the league's 25 players couldn't stand in a pair of skates back in November when the league began.
Seven months later, the women skate like professionals - -fast, agile and strategically aggressive.
Practice is three days a week, but attendance is only required twice a week. To play in the league, women must be 21 years of age or older, and all types of women are welcome to play.
"We have a good mix of women. We have stay-at-home moms, professionals, women in their early 20s to 50s," Incognito said. "I thought at first there is no way I'd fit into the rockabilly, but you don't have to be model skinny, young or in shape, though being in shape helps."
Sexy Motherpucker, of Parker, has made the Castle Rock 'n' Rollers a family affair. Her 23-year-old daughter, Ctrl-Alt-Delete, is a jammer for the league, while she is a blocker.
"It relieves stress, it's great exercise and it's something different," Motherpucker said. "My only advice -- learn how to fall properly."
Roller derby means something more than just relaxation for Almost Faye Mous, of Castle Rock. The league inspired her to start her own derby clothing line and Web site, www.dolledupderby.com.
"I offer skirts, shirts, fishnet stockings in any color and 40 types of knee-high socks," Almost Faye Mous said. "The site has been doing really well and has doubled business every month since it's start three months ago."
Bottom line, it comes down to the girls, Coach Sirius Blackout said.
"The girls are amazing and it's an amazing dynamic how we are all such close friends," Sirius Blackout said.
There's More:
To join the Castle Rock 'n' Rollers, the cost is $50 for the registration fee, a $55 supplemental insurance payment and a $40 monthly charge.
Practices are held every Sunday, Monday and Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock.
Visit www.castlerocknrollers.com for more information about the roller derby league and their upcoming bout June 12.