Roller Derby Match 2

Posted on by Thor

Since I was sketching a double header, I decided to do a second sketch during the roller derby. Game 2 at Orange County Barnett Park (4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808) was between the Orlando Sun Blockers and Rockin City. In the second match the Orlando Sun Blockers lost with a score of 87 to Rockin City from Texas’s 175.

Besides the action on the truck I was also fascinated by the half time action which consisted of kids making paper airplanes. The plane that flew the furthest would win. It was a fun as a minor league baseball game mid inning stretch. Planes spiraled and did loop de loops. Over in front of the bleachers a woman dressed in a sun costume danced in front of the crowd.

The huddle in my sketch occurs often in a match as one team tries to roadblock the other team from lapping them. If there is no opening then the roller derby athlete wearing the star on her helmet would have to try and press her way through he crowd. Living in a big city like New York would be the best place to develop these tight squeeze tactics. 

Roller Derby

Posted on by Thor

I went to Orange County Barnett Park (4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808) to sketch an amazing Double Header. Game 1 was between the Orlando Ozone Slayers and the Molly
Rogers Roller girls. Game 2 was between the Orlando Sun Blockers and Rockin City.

There was  a 50/50 raffle, along with shirts, tanks and koozies at the merch table.

There was a pie eating contest followed by a paper airplane contest during halftime.There were bleachers for the crowd but I decided to sit with my back to the auditorium wall for a view down the length of the roller derby oval. The oval was put in place using white tape to outline the track. Volunteers had to periodically fix the tape with fresh tape since the athletes would often scuff and fall onto the lines.

Roller Derby is a fast paces exciting sport to watch. Points are gained then one woman with a star on her helmet manages to lap the bulk of the pack who jockey for position. The action would build to the final moments of each match. Derby  athletes would knock each other over as they bumped an gyrated for position.

The Molly Rogers from Melbourne Florida won the first match 138 to the Orlando Ozone Slayers 135. It was a crazy exciting finish to the match. It was an exciting afternoon of sketching. I need to get to these matches more often.

Double Header! Orlando Roller Derby vs. Savannah Derby Devils

Posted on by Thor

I have become addicted to sketching Roller Derby. It is a thrill to sketch women competing all out with no holds barred. This double header was held at Barnett Park (4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808), the Orange County Parks and Recreation Center.

 Roller derby began in the early 1900s as a form of banked track racing. It then morphed into Transcontinental Roller Derby where two teams of women skater would travel 3000 miles around the oval track. Briefly the sport waned during WWII but then returned with a vengeance and was televised through the 1970s. in 2006, the Women’s Flat track Derby Association was formed and Contemporary roller derby was born. Orlando Roller Derby has been around since 2009. There are 65 active skaters and 12 referees.

There were two matches in this double header. I will share a sketch from the second match tomorrow.
Game 1 – Orlando Ozone Slayers vs Savannah Derby Devils

Game 2 – Orlando Sun Blockers vs Savannah Hostess City Hellions 

Orlando was in the lead 90 to 52 when I sketched the score board, but
the action heated up at the end with Savannah catching up. Ultimately
Orlando was victorious.

Doors opened at 3:45pm, and the first whistle was at 4:00pm.
There was also a 50/50 raffle. The money collected benefited High School High Tech, a program that exposes children with disabilities to careers in the STEM fields.

If you are interested in joining roller derby in Orlando, stop on out to the 2019 Recruitment Info Session at Semoran Skateway (2670 Cassel Creek Blvd, Casselberry, Florida 32707). They will be providing information about how to get involved with Orlando Roller Derby in 2019! If
you’ve ever dreamed of being a derby girl, referee, or are interested
in volunteering for one of the fastest growing, exciting, and fun sports
in the world – please come!  NO SKATING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

Find out why so many people say “Derby saved my life”. The ‘fresh meat’ program will teach you everything you need to know about roller skating and playing the sport of roller derby!