Inland Heat vs. Riptide Rollers Roller Derby

The Inland Empire Heat Roller Derby team battled it out against the Beach Cities Riptide Rollers last Saturday evening at Cal Skate in Grand Terrace. The match was titled the Beach Brawl and managed to live up to its name. Roller Derby is played on skates inside a lined-off portion of the skating rink. There are ten players out on the rink during the “Jam,” or the period that the teams can score. Jammers are lined up behind the other eight players, and their goal is to get past the blockers on the opposing team; each time they get through, they score one point for their team. The other eight players are blockers whose job is to protect their jammer and prevent the opposing team’s jammer from passing them. This is done by slamming the opposing teammates out of the ring, which usually ended with a fall or pile-up. These Roller Derby teams consisted of exclusively female players coming from a range of backgrounds and ages to enjoy the sport and take part in a team. RayCEE KC (a Roller Derby alias) commented, “It’s great to be part of sporting community and this sport is a great way to get out a lot of aggression in a healthy way.” A player by the alias of Jailhouse Jesse, who is in her third season of Roller Derby, said, “[Roller Derby] brings together a lot of like-minded people on the same playing field. We have teachers, nurses, tattoo artists, and stay-at-home moms here playing.” The match kicked off with the National Anthem while the American Flag was raced around the rink. The players wasted no time getting physical; tumbles, falls, slams, and pile-ups aplenty occurred throughout the match. The Inland Empire Roller Derby Divas have over 16 total games spanning from March to October this year, and three of those are at Cal Skate. The teammates practice three times a week: on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. There are 40 members total in the Inland Empire League. The roller derby fun will find its way back to Cal Skate on September 7, where the Inland Heat will be playing the Bakersfield Roller Girls.