Content provided in partnership with
Derby Girls on track in Salt Lake
Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 4, 2006 by Brad Rock Deseret Morning News
Becoming a Salt City Derby Girl really doesn't require unusual attire, the woman called Brew Ha-Ha! explains. In other words, you don't need to look like her: jet black hair with a crimson ponytail, electric blue nail polish, tattoos on the legs and arms.
"A lot of -- I don't want to say normal, but very conservative people -- do this," says Brew Ha-Ha! That is if you call working as a pharmacist by day but calling yourself Queen Anne's Revenge on weekends "conservative." Or if visiting the doctor for a dislocated shoulder (as did Brew Ha-Ha!) or broken ankle (as did Mojo JoJo) counts as normal.
All in a day's work and play for the Salt City Derby Girls (SCDG).
- Most Popular Articles in News
- The Ten Best Laptop bags
- Tata plans cheapest-ever car for Indian market
- GLOBALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD WORLD
- Corn is good for you; Corn is not only a tasty treat, but also a cereal that ...
- THE 50 BEST STYLISH HANDBAGS TO CARRY
- More »
"We have everything represented," Brew Ha-Ha! says. "Every size, every shape, every background, every body type."
Come and see for yourself.
But bring your first-aid kit.
"Ain't no crying in derby," adds Brew.
If you want to see what it takes to be a card-carrying member of SCDG, there are two options in the near future. First is in today's Pride Parade. The Derby Girls will be the ones wearing bruises. Another option is to concede to your primal self and join the SCDG. Tryouts are at the Hollywood Connection in West Valley City, June 12, 7 p.m.
At this point they're not looking for beginners. If you've never crashed to the track floor and peeled off a couple of layers of skin, this may not be for you. Not that roller derby is without rules. Shouldering an opponent off the track is fine but elbowing, scratching and biting is outlawed.
"I'm not saying that doesn't happen," Brew says wryly, "but it's not supposed to."
Yeah, neither is indigestion, but ... The Salt City Derby Girls began nearly a year ago when Brew Ha-Ha! (participants don't use their real names) decided to organize a league. Teams were springing up in major markets nationwide, so why not here? She set up a Web site and began recruiting.
Part of the process involved selecting competition names.
Quickly they began appearing: Nelly the Fat Kid, Saya Prayers, Sophanda Pain, Tilly Thunder Thighs, Bust-a-Gut and Yanita Beating.
Though they work out at Hollywood Connection, both indoors and in the parking lot, they are looking for permanent headquarters. An empty warehouse will do, as long as it doesn't have support columns. Just reference Saltcityderbygirls.com and you could become proud sponsor of a league of skaters with names -- and costumes -- straight out of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
"Are you 18 or older? Do you have a killer instinct and a penchant for fishnets?" says the Web site. "Do you like to work out a lot, and work out hard? Are you a person who gets really dedicated when they find something they love? Then Roller Derby is for you!"
The current group of about 40 really does have a wide cross- section. For instance, Lucy Canon is a family therapist by day, killer skater by night. Bombshell Bruiser is a stay-at-home mom. Saya Prayers is an auditor. Sophanda Pain is a dental hygienist -- which lends an interesting perspective on getting your teeth cleaned. Yanita Beating is an accountant. (Don't be late on your expense report.)
The idea is to break from their mundane jobs, forget their worries and express themselves.
"In accounting, what am I gonna do?" says Yanita. "How much expression is that?"
Yanita says with two teenage kids and a deputy sheriff husband, she was alone regularly and looking for a way to exercise. She wasn't up for a softball league or working out at a health club. So she searched the Internet and found derby
"I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, my prayers have been answered!'"
She discovered her nickname after poorly trimming a hedge in her yard. Observing her work, her husband teased: "What, do ya need a beating?"
A nickname was born.
Since joining, she says she has found fitness, friendship and plenty of abrasions.
"This is for women, run by women who have open minds," says Yanita. "It's almost like a sorority."
Minus the Greek lettering, of course.
E-mail: rock@desnews.com
Copyright C 2006 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
