Hooters helps support roller derby event

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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The River Valley Roller Girls defeated the Green Country Thunder Dollz 150 to 103 in a bout held Saturday night at Crystal Palace Skate Center. The bout was presented by Hooters and included a hot wing eating contest and mummy wrap at halftime.

For those not familiar with how roller derby works, here’s the lowdown: A bout consists of two 30-minute halves with a 20-minute halftime. Each team consists of five members — four blockers and one jammer. The blockers start each race, known as a jam, 20 feet ahead of the jammers. The jammers start skating after the blockers pass the pivot line 20 feet out from the start. The first lap of the jam is not eligible for point scoring. The goal of this lap is for the jammer to get past the blockers. The lead jammer is established when that person successfully gets past the blockers first. A jam lasts two minutes and one point is earned for each opposing blocker the jammer passes. Five points can be earned if the lead jammer passes the opposing jammer. This is known as a grand slam. The lead jammer has the option to end the jam before the two minutes have elapsed. This is done for tactical reasons — mainly to prevent the other team from scoring.

There are more details to roller derby including penalties and legal target and hitting zones. To learn more about the nitty-gritty, just Google search: roller derby rules.

“Roller derby girls — there’s not a stereotype. There’s no ‘This type of girl plays roller derby.’ We have teachers that are on the team. We have students, hairdressers, graphic designers. All types of girls from all different backgrounds," said coach Blakely Johnson.

Johnson said the team has a “fresh meat” practice on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., at Wheels in Motion in Van Buren. It is open to any woman at least 18 years old interested in trying out roller derby or joining the team. All equipment is provided.

“I guess my other favorite thing about derby is that any body type will work. You can be big, tall, short and little. However (you’re built), you can play derby," said Johnson.

While the skaters cooled down at halftime, the heat was turned up near the snack bar. Five people competed in a hot wing eating contest. Jacky Mosby and Matt Kraus tied each other for the win as they both polished off 20 of the Hooters 911 wings at the same time. The heat was a bit too intense for J.J. Bishop who gave up midway through and headed for the bathroom to purge. Other contestants included Peyton Olivier, 11, and Keifer Fraley, 9, who both put forth a valiant effort against the adults. Mosby and Kraus won a certificate for 20 free wings at Hooters.

Also at halftime was the the mummy wrap — a fun event for kids. Children unfurled a roll of toilet paper and wrapped it around Hooters waitresses dressed in roller derby attire.

Beer was available for purchase at the event for those at least age 21 with the proceeds benefitting the Regional Food Bank.

The next home bout is scheduled for Oct. 22 against Memphis. There is a $10 admission fee to Crystal Palace for spectators age 12 and up.