How many of us grew up spending weekends at the Rollercade? I did. The one on Recoleta. Every Sunday from the time I was 8 to 10 years old, my mother spent the whole day with us there while we got our skate on.
The open skate night favorites? The Hokey-Pokey, of course, and the speed races! How I loved racing laps around the rink. Most of the skaters were in high school, but I couldn't pass up competing. I never came in first, but I hung in there with the big girls and didn't get squashed. That was - let's just say - over 20 years ago.
So, when I had the chance to return to the rink recently to see what roller derby skating was all about, I could hardly contain my excitement. I'd seen a little bit of it in movies and my high school friend, Lisa Anaya, told me a few years ago she was on the team. But I hadn't had the chance to get out there to see roller derby team in action in person.
Two Sunday's ago, I put on skates and set foot on the wooden rink floor for the first time in years. My photographer, Jason Gonzales, was there with me. The Alamo City Roller Girls had a bout that night against a team from Beaumont. We waited for them to get suited up, and interviewed them for our special report.
The women range in age from their 20's to about 40. They all seemed to have fallen in love with skating as a child. They also saw roller derby as a chance to let loose, get mad and get empowered. The speed, checking and camaraderie were a big attraction. And funny thing is, most of them are moms, accountants, lawyers, doctors or business owners! Imagine that!
I've got all that and everything you wanted to know about roller derby coming up in a special report next Wednesday night at 10 on KENS 5 Eyewitness News. I even practiced with the team and learned a few scoring and defensive moves! Check it out and see what you think! This is a huge sport in Austin and it's growing in popularity in our city now.
