PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Hundreds of skaters, support staff and fans flood LeFrak Center at Lakeside skating rink in Prospect Park for some good-natured, if not hard-hitting, Saturday night fights.<\/p>\n
Gotham Roller Derby skater Violet Knockout loves the “full-contact sport on roller skates.” She explains how the sport is “five-on-five on the track, with two point-scorers,” before giving us a crash course at the league’s double-header pitting teams from Brooklyn against the Bronx, and Manhattan against Queens.<\/p>\n
League president Chuggs Brewkowski describes it as “playing offense and defense at the same time. Where there’s two people with the opportunity to score at the same time.”<\/p>\n
Many of the skaters will tell you that inclusion is the real name of the game here.<\/p>\n
Manhattan Mayhem veteran Kill Valentine thinks that part of the reason the sport has gotten so popular in New York City is because “any body type can be successful. I think it really brings out the athleticism in a whole lot of different people.”<\/p>\n
And if the hits seem too hard, there are plenty of support roles to get involved with. “We have non-skating officials, we have volunteer spots, we have so many things that, if you don’t want to skate you can still be a part of this and still be enveloped in our community.”<\/p>\n
Now, Gotham Roller derby needs a new home. In a town known for its toughness, these rowdy rollers are on the hunt for a permanent space to practice and play.<\/p>\n