Two teams made of five skaters each, one Jammer and four Blockers per team, positioned at the starting line of a flat track. The crowd is excited as the players focus on the game they’ve been training for and their teammates who are ready to bring their best. The whistle signals the start of the game, and the skaters are racing down the track, blocking jammers or pushing blockers in a derby stance.
Roller derby is a contact sport played by skaters on a flat track. During the roller derby season, El Pasoans can catch a game played by one of several teams in the El Paso Roller Derby league at Nations Tobin Sports Center in Northeast El Paso.
Established in 2010, The El Paso Roller Derby is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build self-confidence, athleticism and community for their skaters through roller derby.
The league, made up of over 120 members, has a playing season from March through December. During the season, skaters train on and off the track to take harsh hits, push through mental and physical blocks, and foster trust with their fellow skaters.
Members of the organization practice for months and train throughout the season to prepare for competition. (Lesly Chavez)
Every skater in the league has a unique derby name they use on the track. These names are often chosen by the skater and are deeply personal, serving as reminders of a skater’s strength or commitment to their team.
Kamikaze is a second-year skater for the El Paso Roller Derby who joined the league with a friend and stayed for the community and the constant challenge. The skater works a stressful job and the intensity of roller derby builds the confidence they need to take on intimidating tasks.
“You have a good team behind you, and you take that into the world with you because now if I feel something’s hard at work, I don’t even think twice about it,” Kamikaze said. “If I can get shoulder checked by Fish or knocked out from Pinchi, a meeting that would normally stress me out: piece of cake.”
The sport is also physically demanding. Players train at least twice a week and are encouraged to work out outside of practice. Despite the challenges, roller derby helps athletes improve their athleticism and skating skills, while the league’s players and coaches work to make roller derby a positive experience.
The El Paso Roller Derby is recognized by the international governing body for flat-track roller derby and has competed in several competition across the country since the league was established in 2010.
“It’s weird because I never saw myself like a gym rat, but I do see myself running more often and preparing because I want to do my best,” Kamikaze said. “I don’t try to get, super enraged. Nothing in life is that serious. If we lose, at least I had fun. At least I’m playing with the people that I love”.
Skaters in the league push each other to bring their best to the game. Reminders to be in proper derby stance, to get lower or to push a certain way can often be heard during practice, but players are not left to improve on their own; experienced skaters are always willing to provide guidance or support to newer players.
Skater, Betta Fish, has been part of the organization for about two years and believes that the community at the El Paso Roller Derby makes growth in the sport less intimidating.
“Every practice, everyone’s got positive feedback,” Betta Fish said. “And then, it makes you feel like you’re progressing because even if you feel tired and beat up, everybody’s just giving you high fives, and everybody’s like, ‘you did great.’”
Kamikaze is a second-year skater with the El Paso Roller Derby who joined the league with a friend but stayed for the challenge and the community. (Lesly Chavez)
Derby skaters have respect for each other in the game and are always learning from other players. That respect and openness for improvement keeps Roller Derby fun and enjoyable for the skaters.
“There’s times where it gets intense but, I can’t help but to be in awe of how good Michi [their teammate] did this one turn, or how good Zero [their teammate] did this other turn,” Betta Fish said.
The league gives back to the community with every game as well. The organization chooses one nonprofit to support every game and players feel a sense of accountability to bring their best knowing that they make a direct impact on the city around them.
The El Paso Roller Derby is open to anyone who is willing to join. Through encouragement, support and feedback, the league creates an environment where a challenging sport like roller derby becomes a place to build confidence and strength.
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