JPG: Stories: Photo Essay: Roller Derby Infection

Roller Derby Infection

By Landon Wright

20 May 2008

I was introduce to the Dallas Roller Derby scene by my sister last spring. She had been telling me about how much fun it was to watch a game. I have to admit that Roller Derby was not my idea of a good time on a Saturday night. My sister has a few friends that are in the Dallas league and play at old skating rinks on flat tracks. So with new camera in hand and two new flashes to boot I agreed to go.

The scene at the rink was raucous. The devotees of this sport are a whole breed apart. I was blown away by the fanatical spectating that was going on. People bring lawn chairs, face paint and wear costumes to support their team. The game I was going to shoot was the Slaughterers versus the High Seas Hotties. I was scoping out the layout to find a good spot to shoot and notice about five or six pyramids of empty beer cans around the rink. I was informed that there is a betting racket going on as to which stack would be knocked over by a falling player during the course of the game. The safe bets of course were located by the turns.

My words don't do justice to this sport. I'll leave it to the photos to impart the emotions, spirit and grit.

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