For the fourth year in a row, The Venomous Dimilo and I loaded up the Venom-mobile and traveled through the desert in search of skating, debauchery, insight, and networking (ahem…partying) with the derby world. We traveled through the Joshua Tree Forest and over theHoover Dam eagerly anticipating all that Sin City had to offer us during Rollercon 2013. This year Fatal Mishtake, Captain Howdy, and one brave ref suffered through the grueling ride with us. Rollercon has become quite the myriad of traditions for many of us. Hitting In-N-Out Burger in Arizona, meeting for Vietnamese food on the first floor of Treasure Island, skating the strip, and happy hour atop the Stratosphere are just a few events that have become Las Vegas staples for us during this annual conference.
Rollercon 2013 boasted 5,000 skaters and spectators from around the globe, 17 of which were CCD members! Skaters travel looking to improve their technique, learn how to improve the functioning of their league, and best of all play some derby! Challenge bouts have become much more intense over the years. The athleticism exhibited by skaters is nothing short of amazing. Some noteworthy bouts this year include Cholas vs. Chongas (featuring our very own Hell Paseo, Goldy Blocks, and Ginja Snap),Vagine Ragime vs. Caulksuckers (which is basically a showcase of the fiercest female athletes derby has to offer all on one track), Denver Roller Dolls vs. Arch Rival Roller Girls which kept us at the edge of our seats, and No Soul Gingers vs. Yellow Fever (showcasing our very own Jesus H. Coach)! My favorite moment? During Borderland vs. Heartland there was a three second period when Rx Bex and I held off Death By Chocolate during a power jam and while it was a brief… it felt like WINNING!
Rollercon not only gives us the opportunity to watch some of our favorite skaters on the track it offers the opportunity to skate right alongside them and perhaps even share a bit of airspace as we all shuffle along the never ending hallways of the Riviera Hotel and Casino. This year CCD skaters proudly stalked and skated alongside great names like Demanda Riot, Suzy Hotrod, Amanda Jamitinya, Scald Eagle, Serelson, Tara Armov, and my personal favorite… Buns of Fury. Seeing derby idols wait in line for coffee, stroll the corridors, and take the track with or against you is like a tiny piece of heaven for most of us derby fanatics. Skating alongside 5,000 women and men who take to the pavement on quad skates abusing their bodies, pushing their own physical limitations, and skating five on five just like we do back in little old Las Cruces is enough to put everyone on a long time derby high.
The most important lesson I took from this year’s conference is that Crossroads City Derby is a force to be reckoned with. While I loved watching the big names do their thing on the track, I loved even more watching Racky Balboa take out a guy twice her size. I swooned when General Grant Slam busted through the strongest four wall I’ve ever seen and flew through to the other side like a gazelle. I was overcome with pride watching The Venomous Dimilo jam like a beast on her sturdy Cankles showing the Skankles team what superior ankles should really look like. I cherished watching the infectious smiles on Nikki Six Shooter and Boozeberry Pie’s faces as we sat down to dinner following their first skate down the strip. Mostly though, I loved watching how other people watched us… and wondered how we could possibly love each other this much! While I’ve always felt that the women of CCD are bonded in a special way, it was nice to look around and know I am not the only one who feels the derby love we share.
Derby Love,
Puncher Villa #1919
Crossroads City Derby President
Rollercon 2013 boasted 5,000 skaters and spectators from around the globe, 17 of which were CCD members! Skaters travel looking to improve their technique, learn how to improve the functioning of their league, and best of all play some derby! Challenge bouts have become much more intense over the years. The athleticism exhibited by skaters is nothing short of amazing. Some noteworthy bouts this year include Cholas vs. Chongas (featuring our very own Hell Paseo, Goldy Blocks, and Ginja Snap),Vagine Ragime vs. Caulksuckers (which is basically a showcase of the fiercest female athletes derby has to offer all on one track), Denver Roller Dolls vs. Arch Rival Roller Girls which kept us at the edge of our seats, and No Soul Gingers vs. Yellow Fever (showcasing our very own Jesus H. Coach)! My favorite moment? During Borderland vs. Heartland there was a three second period when Rx Bex and I held off Death By Chocolate during a power jam and while it was a brief… it felt like WINNING!
Rollercon not only gives us the opportunity to watch some of our favorite skaters on the track it offers the opportunity to skate right alongside them and perhaps even share a bit of airspace as we all shuffle along the never ending hallways of the Riviera Hotel and Casino. This year CCD skaters proudly stalked and skated alongside great names like Demanda Riot, Suzy Hotrod, Amanda Jamitinya, Scald Eagle, Serelson, Tara Armov, and my personal favorite… Buns of Fury. Seeing derby idols wait in line for coffee, stroll the corridors, and take the track with or against you is like a tiny piece of heaven for most of us derby fanatics. Skating alongside 5,000 women and men who take to the pavement on quad skates abusing their bodies, pushing their own physical limitations, and skating five on five just like we do back in little old Las Cruces is enough to put everyone on a long time derby high.
The most important lesson I took from this year’s conference is that Crossroads City Derby is a force to be reckoned with. While I loved watching the big names do their thing on the track, I loved even more watching Racky Balboa take out a guy twice her size. I swooned when General Grant Slam busted through the strongest four wall I’ve ever seen and flew through to the other side like a gazelle. I was overcome with pride watching The Venomous Dimilo jam like a beast on her sturdy Cankles showing the Skankles team what superior ankles should really look like. I cherished watching the infectious smiles on Nikki Six Shooter and Boozeberry Pie’s faces as we sat down to dinner following their first skate down the strip. Mostly though, I loved watching how other people watched us… and wondered how we could possibly love each other this much! While I’ve always felt that the women of CCD are bonded in a special way, it was nice to look around and know I am not the only one who feels the derby love we share.
Derby Love,
Puncher Villa #1919
Crossroads City Derby President
