Local Women Lace Up for Roller Derby League
Michelle Steilen’s day job is running a lifestyle roller skating store.
“There has been a roller derby revival in the past eight years that is all about the sport being real and there are no pre-determined winners,” Steilen said. “It’s as full-contact as a hockey game. I like the aggressive nature of it and the fact that it’s all females. But I’ve always enjoyed roller skating and I’ve done it since I was a little girl.”
Steilen opened a boutique roller skate shop and repair store, called Moxi Roller Skate Shop, 2218 E. Fourth St., to sell high quality used and vintage skates and to provide opportunities for skaters of all skill levels to network in Long Beach.
Moxi has been the meeting place for the fledgling roller derby league, but Steilen said the league is looking for a 9,000-square-foot space to conduct games and also needs practice space.
The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the skate shop.
More than 70 women already have shown interest in joining as skaters, but more are welcome to compete and Steilen said the league needs referees, mascots, sponsors and vendors.
“Players need to be determined to learn the sport and practice because there is a lot of strategy involved,” Steilen said. “Right now everyone is getting confident on skates and learning the basics. We want to have a solid league before we start competition.”
The matches between two roller derby teams, or bouts, will be played on an oval track with members wearing quad (traditional four-wheel) roller skates and protective gear such as knee and elbow pads and wrist guards.
Most current leagues, including the Angel City Derby Girls, use the rules developed by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Steilen said five members on each team, four blockers and one jammer, will move around the rink and attempt to have the jammer pass the opposing team’s blockers. One point is scored for each blocker the jammer successfully passes. Offense and defense are played simultaneously for two-minute periods.
“The blockers may block the opposing jammer by hitting them with their shoulders and hips,” Steilen said. “There’s no tripping, no elbows, no pushing from behind and no pulling hair. There are risks of serious injuries, like broken clavicle bones and broken ankles, but in order to join the league, you must have personal health insurance.”
Lindsey Karnopp, 24, also known as “Diesel” on the roller rink, helped Steilen found the local league. Karnopp said she has been involved as a player in competitive roller derby leagues for three years.
“Long Beach is a great area for a league because there is a strong community here and local events get a lot of support,” Karnopp said. “We have a variety of women joining our league, and they don’t all fit the roller derby girl stereotype of having tattoos… there’s all types, ages and sizes of women.”
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