Kelli Bristol of Mission Viejo, or “KelKat” as she is known in the roller derby world, saw a show on TV about the Texas roller girls and was immediately fascinated. “I never did any sports growing up other than skating,” she said. “I never got picked for teams and was kind of awkward.” After her first time trying roller derby she was hooked. “I loved it and was addicted from then on,” KelKat said. “I found it to be empowering.”



KelKat started competing in roller derbies but found driving to Los Angeles or Anaheim too much of a hindrance. So she and a handful of her teammates including Christy Wilson ‘ChrisCross’ and Laurel Cole ‘Rhea Cycler’ formed the South Coast Roller Derby (SCRD), a non-profit organization, this fall. The SCRD is skater-owned and operated, offering an opportunity for new players to join in South Orange County, and their home rink is located in San Clemente at SC-SK8, a covered rink located at 108 Calle Lago. Aside from competitive league play, the SCRD also has plans of a Junior Roller Derby league for young girls and has already participated in a number of club events including beach clean-ups, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and started a recycling program at a local preschool. According to KelKat, the group also offers a cardio club which provides the benefits of skating by firming the legs and rear end while burning calories. “The SCRD hopes to foster a sense of independence, strength and pride in women while providing a safe environment for all the members and of course all the camaraderie that roller derby has to offer,” she said.



Competitive roller derby teams are equipped with a “jammer” which is typically a skater with a star on her helmet whose goal is to score points by making it past the “blockers” who use their hips, rear end or shoulders to try and stop her from doing so. The women range in ages from 18-50 (with the majority being in their 30s) and are willing to commit to the amount of work involved. Players come from diverse occupations including hair dressers, real estate brokers, and preschool teachers with an occasional neurologist or lawyer making an appearance. 



“We’re recruiting heavily and always looking for new people, even those who haven’t skated,” KelKat said although many of the girls have had experience in figure skating or roller hockey. Her team nicknamed the “Lagunatics”, practices every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at SC-SK8 in San Clemente. Anyone interested in joining in the fun or taking part in the skate are invited. SCRD will provide training and lessons for locals free of charge. If skating at the practice seems too intimidating, the league invites the community to participate in their cardio club or suggests attending SC-SK8s open skate sessions (Wednesday-Sunday) to practice.



The teams play by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association standards (a detailed video is available on their Web site www.southcoastrollerderby.org) and are informed of proper ways to fall, block, and build up muscles to help protect against injury. Roller derby is considered a full contact sport; injuries happen, from bruising to the possibility of torn ligaments or a blown out knee.



The local team is coached by Mr. Miles (aka Jeremy Britton) who is Mailee ‘Mai Tai Miles’ Britton’s husband (men take the women’s name in roller derby). Britton—who has been around the sport for a while thanks to his wife’s involvement—describes the sport as “total chaos.” Britton also noted the league’s need for referees for those who are interested.



The team’s first official game will be in March 2010 against Ventura, but in the meantime the girls will be practicing and doing monthly scrimmages with nearby teams. Visit their Web site at www.southcoastrollerderby.org for more information on the league or visit www.SC-SK8.com or call 1.800.607.2229 for more information on the skate rink.

Vol. 4, Issue 48, November 26-December 2, 2009