I grew up on the straight-laced side of Texas, where getting my ears pierced for a second time was stretching the boundaries just a bit. So should it be all that surprising that when I first heard about Rollergirls, they scared me? I was living up in Seattle at the time, and all the tattoos and brawniness, fishnet and shoving was intimidating.
Little did I know that April 21, 2012 would have me in the middle of the Austin Convention Center with the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Hotrod Honeys, Hell Marys and the Hustlers…and nothing but a camera to block any incoming blows.
You heard me. The Texas Rollergirls are back this Saturday at the Austin Convention Center and they’re taking no prisoners. Doors open 5:15 at 4th St. and Red River, with the opening ceremony at 5:45, and bouts at 6:00 and 7:30. (If you’re a Rollergirl virgin like me, “bout” means live action time.)
Don’t worry about the rest of the article, just buy tickets HERE.
The Hell Marys Take on the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers
It Gets Better
Flat Track Derby started in Austin with the Texas Rollergirls and has spread internationally. All four home teams will be playing this Saturday, from “rodeo sweethearts” (Honky Tonk Heartbreakers) to “rough and tumble girl gang” (Hotrod Honeys). And how fun is that? It’s like a street fight on skates.
Look at this bunch! The Hotrod Honeys have swords.
These women are strong, well-trained, competitive, and admit to being a little bit mean. What they are doing is truly a sport, but it happens to be an extremely entertaining sport. I don’t know exactly what to expect this Saturday, but I’m really excited about covering the event and I hope to see you there!
Tomorrow’s Austinot Podcast
The Hustlers came out on top in 2011
If you’ve been around these here parts, you know that we release an audio podcast every Friday. If we can get it recorded before the leaf-blower guys visit our complex.
Tomorrow’s Austinot Podcast episode will be all about the Texas Rollergirls. We’ll be discussing the rules of the game, each player’s awesome name, the uniforms and all the juicy details surrounding this unique sport.
Our podcast is quirky, fun and one-take. And tomorrow’s episode will be hilarious, because neither Eric nor I have ever been to a bout and we believe everything we read on the Internet. So stand by for some entertainment and the opportunity to show off everything you know about the Texas Rollergirls. We invariably need a lot of correction.
Austinot Brittany asks:
Have you ever seen the Texas Rollergirls in action? Should I be scared?
(Photos courtesy of Bill Smotrilla.)
Scared? Yes. Scared that you might love it so much that you want to run out and join the rec-league! 🙂
At least that’s what happened to me. The first time I saw a bout the excited anticipation filled my body and a tear came to my eye. I told my husband right then that I was meant to be here – I was meant to do this. That was 2 and a half years ago. I was supremely out of shape, having not played a sport in over 10 years and having had a baby 18 months earlier. I joined the rec-league and spent 6 months dreaming about making it “pro” – to the premier league. I tried out and luckily made it on to the Hell Marys and have spent every single day since then thinking about derby. Thank you for coming to check out the Texas Rollergirls. I can’t wait to meet you in person!Aimeeaka “Sinnerfold”Hell Maryshttp://www.texasrollergirls.org/teams-staff/hell-marys/
What an awesome story! I seriously think I’m just excited now. 🙂 Can’t wait to see you play it up on Saturday!
Haha you haven’t seen Brit.. she weighs just over a buck 20 soaking wet.. I don’t know that she could handle the rollergirlness.. but just wait till I toss her an idea in tomorrow’s podcast…
Size is less important than you think in derby! Some of our tiniest ladies are the fiercest on the track!
Then Brittany might just have a shot! Hey what would be a good derby name for someone named Brittany Stasia Highland? Comment and let me know! hehe
i’m 5’2″ 120 lbs… and i am oh so big and nasty. xoxo
Love it!!
Oh my gosh! I have ALWAYS wanted to see one of these! Have so much fun!
Looking forward to the podcast! I just LOVE derby and all that goes with it.
Susan… if you’ve never heard one of our podcasts yet.. we hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do.. it is a one-take podcast and you never really know what you’ll get.. we have a blast doing them.. get to know us here at the Austinot.. we love to get to know our subscribers!