Roller derby glides into Sand Springs
Staff Report,
photo: courtesy Tulsa Derby Brigade
Take roller skating women, add high speeds, helmets, pads and a lot of physical contact and you end up with roller derby.
The new movie “Whip It” is all about the style and spirit of roller derby. This unique sport does not just appear in the movies, however.
One local roller derby team is the Tulsa Derby Brigade in Sand Springs.
This team is currently recruiting, and team captain “Kim Kombat” said her group of skaters is looking to help women in the community be “all they can be.”
“I have spent the last year as captain of this newly- formed team because I believe roller derby can change a woman’s life for the better,” Kombat said.
“Women today have to deal with a lot of stress, and it is always good to have an effective stress reliever,” she added. Kombat said she thinks this nontraditional sport is making a comeback.
When giving roller derby a try, do not worry about being a skilled skater from the get-go.
“We have accepted women who have not skated for 20 years, as well as those who are trying for their first time ever,” Kombat said.
Each team has a jammer who scores points and multiple blockers who help their jammer get through to score while preventing the other team’s jammer from scoring.
“Each jammer accrues points for her team by passing skaters after she has lapped the entire pack once,” Kombat explained.
The sport is not as dangerous as some may assume. While television shows often present roller derby as ruthless, there are rules and penalties that serve as safety precautions. In addition, skaters wear kneepads, elbow pads, wristguards, helmets and mouthguards.
Kombat said her goal is to be tough, safe and fair.
The Tulsa Derby Brigade competes as often as it can. The team will aim for one “bout,” the term for a roller derby game, per month.
It practices twice a week at Skates in Sand Springs. To observe or try out at a practice, simply show up from 8:30–10 p.m. Tuesday nights.
For more information, visit www.DerbyStrong.com.
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