After going to theTerminal City Rollergirls season opener ( DOUBLE HEADER) this weekend at Kerrisdale Arena, my flame for derby has been outrageously fanned.
Opening up for the 5th year since its inception, the four TCRG houseteams got their fans amped for what’s sure to be an exciting season.
First up were rookie teams Public Frenemy and the Riot Girls, which gave me a good idea of what I need to work on in order to make Fresh Meat. The girls gave the crowd a fun show, and a few, in particular Risquee Biznatch of Public Frenemy and R Skullywag of the Riot Girls, gave us plenty to holler at.
The crowd was only getting warmed up though, because when the second bout began and the Faster Pussycats and Bad Reputations rolled out, the whole arena shook with the roar of appreciation from the audience. Both teams came out with stellar dance numbers; my favourite is admittedly the Faster Pussycats’ “prancing pony” routine. Check it out here on youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8QNHoVa5o&feature=youtu.be
This bout went by FAST. With at least a season under the wheels, these girls have been training hard and it showed. They moved with an agility that made it hard to follow at times and could whip, block and fall much harder. I have no doubt that I wasn’t the only person on the edge of my seat, anxiously leaned forward into the action and ready to leap to my feet and SCREAM at the start of every jam.
Crowd favourite was undoubtedly Amazombie of the Faster Pussycats, who at just over 6 feet tall, moved with the longlegged grace befitting of her team’s namesake and knew just when to stroke the crowd’s cheers and cries. It isn’t at all surprising that she was TCRG rookie of the year last season, and that her theatrical undead makeup and boutfit, coupled with her speed as a jammer and fearless hard hits as a blocker, made for an unforgettable season opener.
Photos are all shot by the incredible Nicolas Charest and may be viewed in full on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#%21/album.php?fbid=10150152655717775&id=700452774&aid=288588
For more information on the Terminal City Rollergirls, check out http://www.terminalcityrollergirls.com/
The next bout in Vancouver, BC takes place at the PNE Forum, May 7th, 2011, when the All Stars ( the best of the TCRG) take on a visiting WFTDA ( Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) team. Followed by another doubleheader, when the Riot Girls face off to the Taco Kickers and the Bad Reputations give us something to talk about on June 11th, 2011 at the PNE Forum
