The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Rock City Roller Derby girls have a place to call home as the Creighton Sportex opened its doors for the season. Signing a contract last week, the derby enthusiasts will able to roll around from April until September, free of charge. 'It's a huge goal we've reached,' said Jodie (Kaos) Belhumeur of the Rock City Roller Derby. With the free rental of the Sportex, the amateur athletes are able to 'afford to practice and keep our league dues down,' she said. Finding a place to skate hasn't been an easy task for the group. They started in October, with discussions about starting a group long before that. The girls started out on the Oval of Dreams running track at the Creighton Community Soccer Field. From there, they called every owner of every suitable building in the Flin Flon, Creighton and Cranberry Portage area they could think of. Roller derby practices went on at the Many Faces Education Centre gym during the winter months, but they came with a nightly cost. 'I was so happy to read those words on the contract,' said Kaos, referring to the Sportex's free rental. The Sportex offers not only a big, open space for the ladies to skate, but with no rental costs and lower league dues, they are able to recruit more members. 'Now that we have a foundation, we can build on the technique,' said member Marcie (Rocky Erbones) Allen. The skaters opened the doors of the Sportex last Monday night, April 2, for their first practice in their new home. At the same time, three new members signed up _ adding to the roster of about 14. To date, about five members are ready to start their benchmarks _ which test the women to make sure they are safe and ready to compete with others. Having the wide open space of the Sportex all to themselves three times a week, the ladies will be able to lay their own tracks on the floor. 'It's freedom,' said Rocky Erbones. 'And it's great support from Channa (Senyk, Creighton recreation director). 'We'll be able to (get) a feel for a full track,' she said, as the gym at Many Faces was much smaller than the rink surface. At first glance, derby is all about bright and flashy clothing and smashing into your opponents. Techniques But the techniques behind every push of the wheels is what makes derby safe _ well, safer then just pushing each other around. The girls have taken in a few demonstrations over the last six months, including a bout from Saskatchewan's Gapland Rollers. Skaters from the Winnipeg Roller Derby League have also come to the Flin Flon area to help instruct the ladies. Paige Kowal has come three times to help run practices, improve form, run drills and show better techniques. 'It's so beneficial,' said Belhumeur. 'Even the seasoned girls say you never stop learning.' Way of Life Roller derby has become a way of life for these local women. About five of them are registered with numbers, meaning they are considered benchmark ready, and three others are close. The other members still have a ways to go as they are termed 'fresh meat' by roller derby leagues. The Rock City Roller Derby is made up of Rocky Erbones #Goon, Kaos #13, Jo *Nightmare #Z3RO, Jamila Jitterbug #333, Angie-O-Gram #69, Brenna Bangs, and Little Miss Vicious. 'It's a feel-good (thing) and an adrenaline rush. Eight wheels rock,' said Kaos. 'It's so much fun. It's the best vehicle,' added Rocky Erbones.
