WWE on Wheels

The basic premise of roller derby is that of a bunch of women banging one another -- that is, banging into one another -- on roller skates. But there's more to it than glorified cat-fighting. Each of the two teams chooses one fast, flinty skater to make as many circuits...

By Penn Bullock

August 25, 2011

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The basic premise of roller derby is that of a bunch of women banging one another -- that is, banging into one another -- on roller skates. But there's more to it than glorified cat-fighting. 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 beatings -- to stop her progress.

SoFla's own Gold Coast Derby Grrls have made it to the regionals, and this month, they're rolling against the Fort Myers Derby Girls at the War Memorial Auditorium (800 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale), which seems like the appropriate venue for vicious beatdowns. The bout starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, and tickets cost $10 to $35. The team is also hosting a "roller derby bootcamp" there from Thursday through Sunday. Visit goldcoastderbygrrls.com.
Sat., Aug. 27, 7 p.m., 2011

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