Worlds collide at Denver Roller Derby
DENVER — Roller derby is a sport that players and fans describe as chaotic, fun and rough, where it’s actually acceptable to knock your friends around a bit.
“It’s the best outlet in the world! It’s action packed," explained Alexa Chrisbacher, "and when else do you get to throw your full weight on someone and blow them up?”
Chrisbacher has been playing for a few years and even met her wife on the Denver Roller Derby team.
“Almost everyone in our wedding party came from roller derby. It’s grown our relationship, and everyone’s been there to witness our relationship,” she said while sitting next to her wife, Jess Chrisbacher, who explained how the sport has helped them bond.
Roller derby is often described as "an extreme race on four wheels," which is the perfect outlet for the Chrisbachers to eliminate stress, spend time together and express themselves.
“Alexis and I play two different positions. I’m a jammer and she’s a blocker,” Jess said, explaining that roller derby is their favorite way to be together as a couple. “The fact that we have such a close relationship, we’re able to communicate without words, and that makes it easier for us to execute plays that other people don’t see coming.”
Chet Cotton has been playing roller derby for decades. He says one of the more appealing aspects of the game is that players are on offense and defense at the same time.
“Roller derby is a different level. We don’t have a ball; instead, a player has a star on their helmet, and that star indicates that they are the person who can score points. So, their job is to lap opposing blockers to get points,” he explained. “It’s just a very cool environment and a very fun environment and I’m really glad I found it.”
Janna Simms has been playing for six years.
“Roller derby is unique sport because it was mostly created by women. Derby is special because it provides a sense of community for people don’t typically play team sports it’s a great place to meet new friends,” she said.
Simms added that roller derby welcomes all people, no matter what their background is. “It’s also queer friendly. We have lots of different types of people who come to derby, it’s the kind of sport for all people, and all body types, all genders and all sizes. I think that’s what really makes the sport so unique.”
For Maven, another player, roller derby has been a way to heal from her mental health issues.
“I was in and out of mental institutions, and was suicidal, and depressed, and I was in a bad place before finding roller derby," she recalled. "Here, you find friends and family.”
Dana Knowles is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at danaknowles@rmpbs.org.
Julio Sandoval is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at juliosandoval@rmpbs.org.
William Peterson is a senior photojournalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at williampeterson@rmpbs.org.