Garden City Rollers of Niagara Roller Derby are ready to roll at the Haig Bowl Arena in St. Catharines. From left to right: Dani Nusca (Smurf-a-licious); Tara Dzalto (Hot Laps Houlahan); Lauren Dubenofsky (Rollin’ Dubes); Natasha Turnbull (Nat Outta Hell); Kim Grodesky (Kimikazzi); Kerina Labonte (Knock a Mama); Ashley Johnson (Kingston) and Racheal Outram (Bluntforce Tonya). - Bob Tymczyszyn , The St. Catharines Standard
Season opener this Saturday with double header
by Kate Gallant, The Niagara Falls Review
Make no mistake — roller derby is a powerful, high-intensity sport — but there is more here than meets the eye.
Played on a flat track, present-day derby bears little resemblance to the campy, theatrical version dating a few decades back. According to Wikipedia, the history of roller derby traces the evolution of roller skating races into a unique sport "which underwent several boom-and-bust cycles throughout the 20th century."
Back then, it was more entertainment than sport, but an early 21st century revival, spearheaded by women of course, has restored an emphasis on athleticism. A description of roller derby being like "speed chess while bricks are being thrown at you" is far more apt these days…