Aside from a basic understanding of how the sport works, one thing that most newcomers to roller derby learn right off the bat is just how much dedication it requires.
The Winnipeg Roller Derby League was established in 2008 and on Saturday, Nov. 13, the WRDL will host their third hometown bout of 2010. This weekend the Winnipeg Convention Centre will be witness to Crushes and Carnage, a three team tournament that, for the first time ever, has the Winnipeg team, the Murder City Maidens, split into three separate squads.
Last week I was able to sit down and speak with Elizabeth Harland, better known as Red De Lizcious, on the derby track, a regular skater for Winnipeg’s Murder City Maidens and now also member of the new team, the Corporation.
Ryan Harby: First off, how long have you been involved in the sport, skating with the roller derby?
Red De Lizcious: Two years and one month.
RH: How did you get into roller derby? What was it about the sport that appealed to you in the first place?
RDL: I originally got into roller derby because I moved to Winnipeg and I didn’t really know anybody other than the people I’d known for years and years so I thought this would be a really good opportunity to meet new people and to keep physically active.
It’s really a whirlwind of grassroots passion and ridiculous commitment. What really appeals to me about the sport is that it’s a perfect combination of athleticism and theatrics. We all choose our own names, we all choose our own personas; we can choose to be either the biggest bitches or the girls who give out cupcakes and cheer for everybody.
RH: How did your experience of roller derby differ from your initial expectations?
RDL: I didn’t know that it was so much about the theatrical component when I first started. At my first practice I was tipped off by some of the girls to wear loose clothing that I can move in, so I showed up wearing Umbro shorts and a huge football t-shirt. That happened to be the practice that Breakfast TV showed up for and I knew I had to skate because it was my first practice but I was wearing like rainbow bright elbow pads, a bike helmet and rental skates; it was awful. All the other girls were decked out and looking good, so I learned pretty quickly that you need to have a persona, you need to develop it right away and you need to commit to it right away.
One other thing I didn’t necessarily expect but I found out was that there is an incredible level of organization involved in the roller derby. The amount of commitment in terms of keeping the league on track is ginormous. There are mothers of four who, thank the good lord, have insomnia because they also happen to keep up with other leagues, manage our bouts, sign the contract and arrange the contract, get our space organized and things like that.
It was also surprising to see the diversity of people involved with the sport and the league. We have a wide range of people who participate in derby, people who are very professionally responsible who have a completely different face at work than they do when they’re at play.
RH: I assume that by necessity most everyone involved in derby has to be so part time. Is it difficult to balance your career and your roller derby responsibilities?
RDL: It can definitely be a challenge balancing both career and derby. I think the girls that have found the most success have a little bit more flexibility at work.
No matter what the work demands are, though, everybody gets their shit done. That is the demand and if you step up and say you’ll do something you’d better have it done. I would say I’ve been very lucky that my colleges and my boss have been very flexible. Most of them come out to see me play, which has been great.
RH: I’d imagine that, seeing as roller derby is still a fringe sport, you get a fair amount of questions and puzzled faces when you explain that you’re a derby skater. What has your experience been like dealing with that aspect?
RDL: To be honest I have a lot of pride when I explain [roller derby], probably because most people are impressed, I guess. There might be a stereotype attached to being a derby girl but I guess maybe I don’t fit it completely — or maybe I do. People are often impressed when they find out how much time it is and how difficult it is. I know I’ve had friends who have come just to watch practices and they’re like, “Geez that’s a really hard workout.” People who’ve come to watch me play have been like, “Wow, you really got your ass kicked today.”
RH: From what I’ve seen, roller derby can be a physically brutal sport. Have you had to deal with many injuries in your time as a skater?
RDL: I’ve been pretty much one of the only lucky ones that hasn’t had a serious injury. At the minimal level there’s always some brutal bruises, and there’s always pictures of them because a bruise is like a medal of honour — to be worn with pride. Lots of girls have bad knees, jar up their shoulders. Lots of girls have experience with concussions from getting hit really hard.
In our last bout, a girl took me out with a shoulder to the face and I fell back. I was exhausted and I knew that I was fine but I had to take a minute, and that’s the only time that it’s ever happened which is pretty remarkable for a two-year career.
RH: It’s obvious that there would be some sense of community amongst an individual team but, watching a roller derby event, it seems like there’s this larger sense of community that includes everyone on the track, more than just your own team.
RDL: I would say the sense of community goes beyond just the team and the league; I would say it extends to all of our support. I know that there are husbands out there that rarely get to see their wives because it’s such a time demand, but when bout day comes around they get their kids to make up signs for the players on the team and they gather support leading up to the event and bring as many people as they can.
It’s a sense of community where we can appreciate how much commitment it is not just for us but for all of our loved ones and our friends who don’t get to see us. Anybody who can appreciate what we’re doing and can respect that is on our side and we’re happy to have them there.
RH: Is it easy to put a game behind you and move on or are there times when you’ll stew over the actions of the other team?
RDL: For the most part, the more you’re beat up by the opposing team the more you know they respect you and they think that you’re on their level and so they think you can handle it. It’s mutual respect because you’re glad that they’ve put you through the ringer because it’s made you stronger for the next game.
RH: Can you explain how the upcoming Crushes and Carnage event will work? The posters advertise three teams battling on one track.
RDL: Well we’ve split up Winnipeg’s main roster and divided everyone into three teams. The event itself will be three separate games, 20 minutes each, so that each team can face off with one another. The reason we’re calling it Crushes and Carnage is that we’re hoping that Winnipeggers will pick their favourite team to cheer for.
We’ve got the Corporation, the Backseat Betties and Valkyries’ Wrath. This is the first time that we’ll all be playing a team where we know their reactions and tendencies.
RH: Having multiple teams within the city, is that something that the WRDL is looking to continue moving forward?
RDL: Oh, completely. It’s hard for us to find facilities; it’s a problem that most derby leagues across Canada experience. We’ve got the Winnipeg Convention Centre event this month, as well as one in February, but what we’re looking for in the summer is possibly doing a cheaper, grittier version. We’re going to be doing it at curling clubs and hockey arenas once the ice has left, possibly a cheaper admission and smaller crowds but more regular events. Most other leagues do this kind of thing and this way we can get a lot more play out of our home team.
In this November event we’re giving the public a taste of what the events might look like in the future.
RH: Do you have any advice for someone who may be interested in becoming a roller derby skater?
RDL: Toughen up and be patient because a lot of people will come on board and be frustrated if they’re not improving at a dramatic pace. Toughen up and be patient.
Those interested in attending the Nov. 13 Crushes and Carnage bout can find tickets at ticketmaster.ca. Admission for the event is $13, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The WRLD will also be hosting a roller derby boot camp Nov. 20-21 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Man. More information for both events can be found at winnipegrollerderby.com.
