viewfinder: Derby Girls

Derby Girls

Kneepads cover their fishnet stockings as mouth guards protect their teeth from stray elbows. They learn to fall before they learn to hit. When they learn to hit, they learn how to knock the girl to the ground.

They are the women of Duke City Roller Derby and they are intimidating.

"There's a certain amount of toughness that you need to play derby," said Nan Morningstar, a member of the Hobots roller derby team. "It requires the type of person who doesn't mind getting hurt."

It's a baffling blend of femininity and roughness. Roller Derby bouts pit two teams together for three 20-minute periods. They skate in circles, slamming each other into walls, vying for the best position to let their scorer scream past.

"You get to take out your aggression without actually getting yourself in trouble," said rookie Cynthia Walter, a member of the Derby Intelligence Agency team.

In a mini-skirt and off-the-shoulder slinky black top, Walter personifies the Derby girl stereotype. This is not a bad thing. School teachers, mothers, and girls in punk bands play Derby. Women who are drawn to competitive sports and aren't afraid of getting banged up play Derby.

"Anyone can get out there and do it," said Walter. "They just have to have the desire to get out there and play."

A coworker coerced Walter into looking into joining a Duke City Derby Team. The challenge of roller skating alone hooked the former ballerina on the sport.

"I love it because it's fun," said Walter, "And I'm out there skating with these other girls who are a lot like me, but different at the same time."

It's the attitude of the Derby girls that sets them apart from women in other competitive sports.

"I just don't care what anyone thinks," said Walter. "I just go out there and do what I want."

I'm certainly not going to try to stop her.