Friday, Mar. 21, 2008

Mama said knock you out

By Bethany Lee

Don't call them ladies. These badass chicks will knock you out... of the way, that is.

The 13 women in the Atomic City Rollergirls are one of a kind. These roller derby queens are tough. They transform when they enter the track, with otherwise shy women become dominating heroines in an instant, donning hello-gorgeous makeup and eye-catching outfits.

Not one of the two are the same, making their individual characteristics and mannerisms stand out from each other. In fact, there's a national derby (http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls/)registry where no two nicknames can be the same.

Created in the 1920s, contemporary roller derby gained popularity in the early 2000s. Grassroots non-profit organizations are popping up everywhere, yet it's still a small scene.

The rules to roller derby are slightly confusing. There are jammers and pivots in a pack with blockers who help the jammers score during the regular bout, but also during jams, and jammers can pass the star to a pivot who then becomes a jammer... got it?

When it comes to roller derby, people don't necessarily understand it, but they know it typically involves unlady-like behavior.

"We have to be publicly-accepted-delinquets," explained Krystana Thomas, 31, AKA Dirty Rotten Stana. "Because we're being rejected by everybody for what they think we are."

This stereotype has caused them to seek out-of-town rinks and sponsors.

"One of the big things for us as a group when we first got started, is we started the business as a non-profit organization," said Jen Pedersen, 36, AKA Miss Appropriate. "As the co-founder of the league, I'm never going to make a dime off this - I don't want to. I want us to be able to get to a point where we're making enough money as a league that we can give back to the community that we live in now and that includes all charities, but mostly those that cater to women and children in our area. It's important for us to not just be a bunch of drunken hookers."

What most people fail to realize is the athleticism these women must have in order to partake in roller derby. Each athlete must be able to complete timed laps of 22 laps under 5 minutes.

"For me, I didn't really have any athletic outlet at all before we started skating and I lost 20 pounds between Sept. and Dec. and I broke my shoulder in Dec., and between Dec. and the end of Jan., I gained almost 13 pounds back," Pedersen said.

The women typically practice twice a week, heading up to a rink in Prosser, even when it snows, donning their iconic fishnets, tube socks, and eclectic skirts.

"On my MySpace I blogged today about how I feel roller derby saved my life," said Michelle Granrud, 26, AKA Buffy the Bitch Slayer. "I was just kind of craving some other action or outlet, so I really do think roller derby is good for your soul."

"It helps with the anger, that's for sure," added Krystana.

Atomic City Roller Girls are recruiting, hoping to bump their numbers up to 60 teammates. Although there are no certain athletic requirements, there are some monetary requirments that Pedersen deems needed. She advises skaters to prepare to drop serious dough on their equipment, saying "If you don't put into your gear now, you're going to end up putting major cash into your gear in two months."

Other than that, "an ability to stand upright on skates and propel yourself without flailing heavily is a must," Pedersen half-jokes. "It is a huge workout. We skate two nights a week for two hours each practice. The dedication of all of the girls is huge."

Also dedicated to their cause is their coach Rick Jones, AKA Dick Tripper, who comes out once a week to help them out with their techniques.

"As far as skating, you can learn it," said Ganrud. "As far as dedication, you have to have it."

Pedersen moved from Seattle with her husband and family. The league began with an introduction at 2007's Meltdown, and invited women to come meet the rest of the team at a BBQ in July. Other members got wind of the new team.

"I was skating in Tacoma and got injured and had to drop out," Thomas said. "So flash forward to a year later, I was visiting my boyfriend out here and a girl named Sarah came up to me and asked if I was interested in the roller derby. The Meltdown article came out, I got a hold of Jen on MySpace and it was on."

Other members had no prior roller derby experience.

"I'd seen the article in the Tri-City Herald that day and decided 'screw it' and up and called them and here I am," said Kym Youngblood, 34, AKA Trynkt. "Never really skated in my life."

That doesn't stop Youngblood from doing suicide slides with the rest of the team. At the Family Fun Center rink in Prosser, loud thuds echo as the women hit the ground at Jones' whim. Jones pushes the group, encouraging them to master certain moves in order to "explode" down the rink against their opponents.

"This is what's going to separate you from the other girls out there," Jones said while demonstrating a key move.

Just don't expect to see the Atomic City Rollergirls perform in 2008. They are dedicating the rest of the year to training and plan to emerge January of 2009.

"We still have a name for ourselves, even if it's not huge yet, Krystana said. "People know who we are."