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Rolling in for support – the Roaring Fork Roller Derby

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The Roaring Fork Roller Derby members pictured with some skaters from New Mexico and other places in Colorado.
Morgan Scott/Courtesy

Editor’s Note: Time of event and food provider have been updated.

Most sports rely on a ball or puck — something to shoot, pass or catch — to score. Roller derby is different: all you need is grit and the ability to outmaneuver the other team.

The Roaring Fork Roller Derby has made a comeback in the Roaring Fork Valley, showing up at events like Glenwood Pride in June and working to grow its ranks.



“Getting out there always helps,” said Morgan “Tonka” Scott, president and secretary of the Roaring Fork Derby. “Knowing we exist, people have come back, we got new people, and it’s a slow thing, but it’s progress.” 

The Roaring Fork Derby had faded a bit, especially when COVID hit, but the ladies are back, ready to hand out nicknames and skating. 



“Some members come from women’s empowerment groups, young people figuring out what they’re doing, and we get a lot of people from the healthcare and education systems,” Scott said. “It’s a great stress release, a great support system and not just on the field, we try to make sure we’re here for everyone.”

Scott said it can be hard to make friends as adults because other than work, there isn’t a consistent place many people go. 

“We try to make this our social interaction,” she said. “We make lots of bonds beating each other up, like right now, at Roller Con, we all decided to carpool and stay in hotels together, and we have people from Glenwood Springs, from Salida, Durango, a lot places.”

The Roller Derby used to be just for women, but Scott said they’ve opened it up to all genders and all body types, which she said can be helpful for people who are dissatisfied with their body type. 

“We get a lot of different people and they add to it,” Scott said. “We’ve got people under 100 pounds to people over 300 pounds and there’s a place for all of them. There’s a lot of different ways to play the same game.”

In roller derby, each team sends out five players: four blockers and one jammer. The jammer scores points by passing opposing blockers while their teammates try to stop the rival jammer and clear a path for their own.

“A play is called a jam, and jams usually last around two minutes,” Scott explained. “They can last a little longer or shorter, depending on the play the jammer is doing and sometimes jammers can switch out during a jam, but it has to be one of the blockers already in the play.”

After each jam, new skaters rotate in so everyone gets playing time.

“I met a player I absolutely adore and she was amazing at blocking, I couldn’t get past her,” Scott said. “I never want to play her again because she was so good.”

Scott said that being in the derby helps her with learning how to do things that society doesn’t necessarily teach women. 

“To be loud, a leader, shouting and taking charge,” Scott said. “I think it’s important that we learn that, to stand up for ourselves.”

The Roaring Fork Derby wants as many people to come out and skate as possible. To help, they are willing to find gear for participants. 

“We hook people up with protective gear and skates when we can,” Scott said. “If we don’t have it, we try to help people with what to buy. Get in touch with us to get set up with it.”

As a 501(c)(3), the Roaring Fork Derby works hard to keep people’s wheels on the ground, except for tackling, and they have a couple events coming up. Their next big event, the Barbecue Beatdown, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Glenwood Springs Community Center. Two teams—the Grill Marks and the Napkin Ninjas—will face off, and players from Glenwood Springs, Vail, Salida and Durango are expected to join.

“We’re inviting other leagues to play with us, so there will be people from the Glenwood and Vail areas, Salida and Durango,” Scott said. “Anyone who wants to come out and skate, we’ll put you on a team. We’re going to mix it up playground style.”

Halftime will include scooter time around the track for young children, and BBQ will be available via caterer.

“No need to pay to participate, just be there and you’ll be able to race around the track,” Scott said. 

The league is also planning a tournament in September. Visit rfrollerderby.com/ or facebook.com/RoaringForkRollerDerby for more information. 

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