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ROLL ON The Jax Roller Derby Girls prepare for their biggest battle yet: fighting COVID-19. From rink rash, grand slams and hip whips to taking a knee and nine month injuries in the time of COVID-19, the Derby Girls have seen it all. Liz who’s derby name is “Lil Lass Kicker” and Rachel who goes by “Traumakazi” tell us all about what’s shaking these days with roller derby as they navigate how to deal with COVID-19 much like all of the worlds full-contact sports. During the Great Depression, Leo Seltzer invented a spectacle called Roller Derby. According to highrollerderby. com, at the time, it was believed that 93 percent of Americans roller skated at some point during their lives Traumakazi tells us that although skating started as a hobby, it has since elevated to being as competitive as some Olympic sports. “In the beginning they didn’t even wear helmets and it was quite rough,” said Traumakazi. “They would close line each other and even go so far as knocking each other out.” Of course in effort to make it safer and more appealing to potential members it’s not quite as rough these days, it even has its own governing body known as the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Jacksonville Roller Derby League was founded in March 2006, and is the city’s first and only flat-track roller derby league. Ranked 17 out of nearly 400 teams in the world, the Jacksonville Roller Derby team has worked to become one of the very best. Being elite athletes, they train much like Olympians do—they should know, one of their local team members is a former Olympian. Jacksonville’s league consists of over 50 members. Derby team members balance full-time jobs along
with the full time sport of derby. Lil Lass Kicker tells us “The Jax league consists of every type of person from homemakers to doctors, food service industry workers, Olympians, archaeologists, scientists, and more.” Most might view the derby as a very diverse sport, but board members feel it needs to include more diversity and are constantly making efforts to outreach within the community. The Jacksonville League is recognized for its athleticism but they are also known for their volunteer efforts as they donate time, labor, goods and more to the community and charity organizations on the regular. Derby has been greatly changed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently they are working with their governing body to outline a protocol for derby returning, which includes analyzing the percentages of positive tests in certain populations, in hopes of gaining an acceptable level to be able to return to even train in a rink. In the mean time some of the members are taking a break due to a “nine month injury,” meaning taking time to work on building a family. “Our members and family members must come first and waiting will be worth it, said Tramakazi. “Next season may be a bit limited as a result of putting safety first.” So while it’s a waiting game now, soon derby will be in full force showcasing those grand slams, hip whips, and rink rashes. For more information about the Jacksonville Roller Derby go to JacksonvilleRollerDerby.com or find them on Facebook @JacksonvilleRollerGirls. FOLIO STAFF MAIL@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM PHOTOS BY DAVID ORTIZ
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