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Bring The Pain
The Bakersfield Rollergirls are back with a vengeance! Catch them in action at Rollerama 34th st. on March 15th!


Members of the 2008 Bakersfield Rollergirls team

By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor
Photos by Joseph Gomez

Pain is good business for the Bakersfield Rollergirls.

Not your average girls next door, these rough and ready females are all about playing hard and partying harder.

Preparing to make their eagerly awaited return to the rink at Rollerama 34th st, at 6 p.m., March 15, the BRGs agree that teamwork equals big wins.

“We’re roller sisters,” exclaimed BRG “Dezi Von Dropya,” aka Dezi Avila, 21, one of the teams most active members, whose been skating with the team since their inception. “We compete strong and party afterward together.”


BRG - "Dezi Von Dropya"

But don’t think it’s all about partying and bruising it up - this is also serious business, and if you’re ready for it, you need look no further than BRG “Dred Blocker,” aka Shayla Johnson, for explanation.

“We have a budget to make for this team to keep going,” explained Johnson, 30, whose dread-locked mane and cowboy hat is a familiar site at every bout. “We’ve also developed a democracy of sorts, but also allow Spider Cricket to make decisions in the best interests of the team.”


BRG - "Dred Blocker"

BRG founder “Spider Cricket,” aka Joann Divers, came up with the idea to start the team in Bakersfield after re-locating from Roanoke, Va., seven-years ago.

Inspired by classic roller derby TV shows with over-the-top personalities, Divers felt it was time to expand the contact sport’s reach to the San Joaquin Valley.


BRG - "Spider Cricket"

“I really thought everybody in Bakersfield would wanna join” said Divers, 25. “I'm surprised our turnout wasn’t bigger in the beginning. But now it’s great to see how much we’ve grown and how lives have been changed for the better.”

Response to the initial 2006 tryouts was scarce at first. But like any new interest in Bakersfield, the curious signed up in droves. The next plan was keeping them there.

“We had a hard time keeping people,” said BRG “Naughty Angel,” aka Kimberly Christopher, 36, of the large percentage of first-time signees who didn’t last past a few practices. “They get started, then realize it’s hard. You’ve got to train to be in roller derby.”


BRG - "Naughty Angel"

Avila agrees, adding that while the fun aspects of the sport are many, athleticism requires that you to stay in shape for the long run.

“A lot of girls I think saw what we do as just a social club, where we drink and party all the time,” said Avila. “But it seemed like we were getting a new girl every week after another left. A lot of them couldn’t hang.”


BRG - "Sticki Vicki"

Roller games for the uninitiated has its roots dating back to the ’20s, during a time when contact sports like big-time wrestling, way before WWE days, were all the rage.

After years of wallowing on late-night TV and weekends, the sport returned in the 2000s, below the radar through grassroots campaigning and a new strong female presence.

Girl power was back and ready to throwdown.


BRG - "Ima Bowbya"

The nature of a roller derby “bout” goes something like this…

Five team members from each team meet on one of two types of circular tracks: a “flat” track or “bank” track. A “bank” track refers to the uneven track most familiar to TV roller derby of the ’70s, where skaters were flung over beams and into the seats. The “flat” track is exactly how it sounds - a flat, circular roller rink floor, with markings indicating boundaries - and where the BRGs roll.



Each team of five is known as a “pack.” Each pack is divided into “pivots,” “blockers,” and “jammers.”

The referee’s whistle signals the start of the bout’s “jam”. As the teams commence rolling counter-clockwise, each team must follow strict rules of the bout, with “jam” formation being an important part of the sport.
The “jam” formation is like going to your battle station - each station requires that members stick to their post.

Scoring points in roller derby is like pressing the panic button in a shopping mall - you’ve got to think fast, and move even faster.

A roller derby “jam” is the designated two-minute moment of the bout when each team gets the chance to score points. Each bout consists of three, 20-minute periods.



“Jammers” are the only team players allowed to score and are guarded by “blockers,” who literally knock opponents out of the way to clear a path for the jammers to score points by lapping the pack and passing opposing “blockers” and “pivots.”

If this sounds confusing, you’re sure to catch on after attending two or three bouts.

Quite the spectacle, the energy is infectious. Watching teams compete for roller derby glory is fun for the family, so don’t be afraid to bring the kids. Afterall, there’s nothing wrong with inspiring young girls to seek female empowerment at an early age via a team this fierce.

“It’s such a rush revisiting that camaraderie of team sports from high school. I’ve been injured many times, but it doesn’t matter,” smiled Johnson. “I’m a beast.”

Note to those who think this might your cup o’ tea, or rather, mug o’ beer - yes, there will be bruising.

“I've had three concussions, a broken tailbone, a lot of bruises, nerve damage in my neck, I used a cane for awhile and a neck brace,” laughed Avila. “Cherry bum and rink rash too.”

Cherry bum and rink rash?

“That’s when you slip and cut yourself up wiping out,” she added smiling.

With 14 players and six alternates in the BRG line-up ready for the 2008 season to commence on March 15, the team also made sure to offer fans more opportunities to see them in action in Bakersfield.

“Last year we only had two home bouts,” said Divers. “This year we have five. We really hope to break-out this year!”

ON THE WEB:
www.bakersfieldrollergirls.com

Add the BRG's as your Bakotopia.com friend in PAIN!



CATCH THE BRG'S IN ACTION!
Bakersfield Rollergirls VS Central Coast Roller Derby
-Saturday, March 15
-Rollerama 34th st., Bakersfield
-6 p.m. / $10 / All Ages / 327-7589

**PARTY with the Bakersfield Rollergirls at Bakotopia’s St. Paddy’s Day Bash!**
-Monday, March 17
-Fishlips, 1517 18th st.
-6:30 p.m.-? / 21 & Over / 324-2557


Story originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, issue 23, 3-6-08