PANAMA CITY — Their battle attire usually consists of eight wheels, fishnets and bruises, and their stomping ground is the cold, unforgiving course of a roller rink.
On any given Wednesday night, Panama City’s all-women, flat-track roller derby team can be found in a dimly lit roller rink off 14th Street, honing their speed and smashing capabilities. The Sugar Sands Derby Dolls have been building their roster of local ladies since forming in February and are on their way to getting up-and-rolling for next year’s derby season.
The squad of 10 is made up of college students, military and working professionals, and even mothers, with a few common interests, as described by Tasha “Twisted Angel” Brantley, an assistant coach to the Derby Dolls.
“It gives women an outlet from work or the kids to get out, exercise and bond with one another,” Brantley said, not omitting one of the more cathartic aspects of roller derby. “Plus, you get to hit other girls.”
Many of the members were so new to the team Wednesday night that introductions began over the first water break into the practice.
Hierarchy on the team is a loose concept, but the “pivot person” is the one who makes the call on formations during “bouts” — or matches. For the Derby Dolls, that responsibility would fall on Crystal “Slammy” Duncan, team leader. And as physical as the game can be, Duncan said precautions are taken during their practices to keep any injuries confined to just bruises.
Skill levels are respected and falling techniques are stressed at the practices.
“We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Duncan said. “Our main concern is safety while promoting self-empowerment and self-expression.”
Practices consist of falling drills and hitting drills in full pads, along with endurance skating drills in both directions on the track to keep from developing the dreaded “crab claw leg,” when one leg does most of the work.
The Derby Dolls are currently recruiting. The roster consisted of 10 women after a Friday Fest appearance recently, and they are willing to accept a total of 25 women encompassing the entire gamut of skill levels, builds and personalities.
“You get so many different types of people on a roller derby team,” Duncan said. “Different people play different roles, but everybody has their own advantages.”
It’s easy to become a member of the league, according to Duncan. Any female over the age of 18 just needs to attend a practice to get started. Skating ability is not a requirement to join. The team trains new members skating techniques and the rules of roller derby. As new members move up in the ranks, they must reach a level-3 skill requirement before getting out on the rink in an official bout.
The Derby Dolls meet for practice at the Skate Factory, 333 14th St., every Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Derby season begins in February.