Rob Selkow Reporting
rselkow@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Disco balls, ill-fitting rentals, and couple’s skates are some of the memories that might materialize when thinking about skating, but prepare yourself for a new definition…one that involves words like irreverent, high octane and contact!
Welcome to the world of roller derby where once a month, girls with names like AnnaBolic Smash, Violat-Her and Zombie Apocalyzz provide up-close, high-speed action to a growing legion of rowdy Roller Derby fans.
VIDEO-How roller derby works:
“Every other month is usually a home bout,” said Desiree Saffel (aka “Desilou Suffer”), head of marketing for The Red River Sirens, which was founded in 2010. For away games, the team often travels out of state, so being a team member requires commitment. The payoff (fame, sisterhood and fun) is worth it.
The appeal for fans is basic: “We have women and we have beer,” Saffel said.
The women, however, do not fit a specific profile. “We have girls as young as 18 and our oldest is in her late 40’s,” she said. “We have stay at home moms, soldiers, wives of soldiers, and a lot of us go to school and work.”
Fans who are brave enough can sit in an area that puts them inches away from the action. “We have what we call suicide seating,” Saffel explained. “That’s right up on the track. So as the girls get hit they slide right into the crowd.” Due to the level of danger, this seating is designated 18 and up.
Fans get in on the action by making their section of the track more inviting. “People set up beer pyramids, just to make the girls hit there and go through them on their way out of the track,” Saffel said.
She said the sight of crashed, scattered beer cans delights the fans who whoop and holler and add to the energy of a bout.
While there is no punching, hair pulling, elbowing or scratching, the hits are hard enough to send some unlucky Siren off in an ambulance now and then. The chance that it could happen again anytime keeps the energy level high.
The next home bout, dubbed “Saturday Night Bleeder” is this Saturday, August 31 at Magic Wheels Skate Center. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the whistle blows at 7:00 p.m. as the Red River Sirens face the Rolling Arsenal Derby of Huntsville, Alabama.
As always, proceeds benefit a local non-profit (usually for kids or pets). “Every bout we give a portion of our proceeds to a different charity. For August it will be Bikers Who Care in support of Camp Rainbow and Buddy Ball,” Saffel said. “We’re also helping out with their toy run in September.”
ADMISSION: Advanced tickets available for $8 (through Wednesday) at Magic Wheels Skate Center and The Board Shop, 2201 Fort Campbell Blvd #700 Clarksville (931) 320-3298. Admission is $10 at the door Saturday night.
PARKING: Shuttles will run from WalMart parking lot to Magic Wheels every 15 minutes beginning at 6:00 p.m.
See “Saturday Night Bleeder” in Event Listings, including a map to Magic Wheels Skate Center and recent team photos.
For more on The Red River Sirens visit their website or Face book page.