By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s 8:00 Thursday night — do you know where your roller skates are?
If you do, and you’re a female over the age of 21, with current health insurance and a “badass” attitude — you may be a prime candidate for the Rat City Rollergirls.
RCRG was founded in 2004, based back then at the Southgate rink in White Center. Though Southgate has since closed and RCRG skaters now practice at rinks in Lynnwood and Bellevue, they maintain their ties to the White Center/West Seattle communities. For starters, at least eight skaters live in the area, including Bird on a Wire coffee shop owner Heidi Herr (skate name: “Skate Trooper”). Also — community outreach is a core value for RCRG, and they participate in local activities including helping clean up Longfellow Creek, and a stretch of road they’ve “adopted” in White Center (where their next cleanup is scheduled for April 25).
West Seattle Rollergirl and “Derby Liberation Front” team co-captain “Deadly Aim” (aka Aimee Ettel) took some time off the track to provide some insight into the world of RCRG and to talk about their upcoming home game at RCRG’s big new home “rink,” KeyArena, this Saturday.
Aimee was introduced to Roller Derby a few years ago in Atlanta, where she went to watch a “bout” — the official term for a derby match. Her initial reaction? “These people are freak shows!” However, she was intrigued by the athleticism and when she moved to Seattle, she signed up for tryouts.
Her audition began inauspiciously: Many of the women vying for spots had been involved in a practice league called PFM: “Potential Fresh Meat,” and were decked out in their gear and outfits. Aimee had no gear; she skated into a wall. However, being in great physical shape from rowing — and having killer biceps — the RCRG decided they wanted her arms working for them rather than against them.
Being a Rat City Rollergirl takes dedication on many levels; clearly, there are physical challenges. Besides practicing 4-5 times per week, you have to be prepared for the possibility of injury. Aimee, who has a degree in Exercise and Sport Science, says, “We have full pads, mouth guards and helmets. But, if you play timid, you’re going to get hurt. The proper conditioning will prevent many injuries and speed healing if you do get injured.”
However, you don’t have to be an athlete to participate. Aimee continues: “All shapes and sizes are accepted, and some women have never done any sports.” People from a variety of backgrounds participate:“We have a breast cancer genetic researcher, a waitress … and I’m a project manager for Microsoft.”
There are time and financial commitments as well. RCRG participants are unpaid — they pay monthly dues to play and hold regular fundraisers such as the “Black and Blue Tie” auction, and the Dunk Tank at West Seattle SummerFest (Aimee: “really fun!”) to cover the costs of road trips. Additionally, there are approximately 80 different committees within the organization, from sponsorship to fundraising to regulations that Rollergirls are expected to participate in.
As for going big league at KeyArena — it’s got its challenges and rewards, and there have been growing pains, like having only one beer seller open during the first game. With the larger venue, RCRG is able to accommodate more fans; Aimee notes that in their previous, limited space, “We never knew what our true fan base was.”
There is a cultural struggle between the independent, gritty, post-punk feminist ethic that revived the derbies in the early 2000s and the commercialism and regulation that comes with growth. The future growth of RCRG is the subject of an ongoing discussion within the league as they work to strategically define how to “be true to what (they) want.”
But “Deadly Aim” makes a point of explaining that despite the characters and nicknames, the action is not staged.
“Not in the slightest. The hits are real, the injuries are real, the fun is real. Nothing is predetermined; it’s not like World Wrestling.” She’s out there to knock you down, but she’ll do it with a smile.
So, how do you know if you’re “badass” enough to be a Rat City Rollergirl? Aimee says, “I didn’t think I was! But, I hate to lose and I knew I had to work hard to get better. You have to have passion and drive, and a willingness to take chances and risks.” The 35 year-old further adds: “I tell myself, Aimee, you need to do this … and I know that I can. I would rather push myself and see what I can do rather than not know. Also, it’s just fun!”
The Rat City Rollergirls have their next home game this Saturday (April 18) at KeyArena. You can find ticket information and other details information at their website, ratcityrollergirls.com. Also, visit ratcitymovie.com to find information on the documentary made about RCRG, “Blood on the Flat Track: The Rise of the Rat City Rollergirls.”
PHOTO CREDITS: All photos of “Deadly Aim” in action were photographed by Jules Doyle, provided courtesy of Aimee Ettel. Deadly Aim is in green uniform. The photo of Aimee today is by Keri DeTore for WSB.
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