Is roller derby good for teenagers?

November 16, 2007 9:36 AM

Is roller-derby likely to be a fun spectator sport for teenagers?

I have two sons, one 15 and one 11. They both show an average interest in athletics. I see that Boston has a Roller Derby team, and I'm wondering if it would be a fun thing to take them to. I see they have a rock band, and that they have some parties involved. I'm not concerned that it's somehow age-inappropriate. There seems to be a lot of scatological humor in their advertisement, but I don't mind that especially. I'm just concerned that it will be filled with 20ish kids, and that 1 really old guy (me) and 2 teenagers will not fit into the crowd.

posted by vilcxjo_BLANKA to sports, hobbies, & recreation (17 comments total)

I go in Seattle all the time, and while the core audience is indeed 20-30somethings, there are a large amount of families with kids of all ages, teens, and middle-aged folks as well. Plus I think it's really inspiring for young folks, girls or boys, to see girls being strong and fierce in roller derby. You guys will be fine and have a great time. (You might want to bring earplugs for the halftime punk band, though.)
posted by matildaben at 9:39 AM on November 16, 2007

At the Roller Derby I go to, kids as young as 6 and 7 attend, and there are plenty of kids between 11 - 17 as well.
posted by dead_ at 9:40 AM on November 16, 2007

Actually, RD bouts I've been at seem to function as a kind of alt-culture family time - 30something punk parents with their mohawked tweens, spending time together and cheering on their favorite team. There are lots of teens, and plenty of older folks - sometimes family of players, and sometimes not. Bring 'em! It's a fine time.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:48 AM on November 16, 2007

Yes. It is here in Baltimore. It would have given me much to dream about as a boy that age.
posted by OmieWise at 9:51 AM on November 16, 2007

I go to the Gotham Girls Roller Derby bouts here in NYC all the time (a couple of my friends are players) and I'm always struck by how much fun the audience has -- from adults (20-40 age range) to teenagers to young kids. I agree that there aren't that many much older people there, but there are definitely teenagers having a great time. You should take your kids at least once and see if you like it.
posted by lassie at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2007

I was truly surprised when I went to my first Rose City Rollers bout at just how many families with little kids were there. I've since been several more times, and every time I've seen all age ranges, and everyone seems to be having a good time.

There's beer for those so inclined, there's snacks for the kids, and while the action's going on, there's lots of music and stuff that seems to keep everybody excited and interested.

And, between bouts, there's bands and bike acrobatics and stuff. So yeah, it's definitely good for teenagers. And grownups.
posted by pdb at 10:02 AM on November 16, 2007

i just went to a roller derby in nashville and although it was mostly 20-somethings, there were a lot of teens, kids, and parents. enjoy! it's lots of fun.
posted by thinkingwoman at 10:32 AM on November 16, 2007

Went to roller derby in Albuquerque, there was a smaller 21+ area, and a wide age range in the rest of the venue. It seemed to be a pretty diverse crowd in every way, age range included.
posted by yohko at 10:46 AM on November 16, 2007

Like everyone's said, derby audiences span all age groups. Every time I go there are awesome grandparents with their 6 year old granddaughters and all ages in between. The average age might be 30ish, but really, it's a broad spectrum and I've never had a sense of any exclusivity. If you've come out to support the derby, then you're welcome. You may be surprised at whom you run into, too. I've bumped into clients of mine whom I'd never have thought would be derby fans (and who probably thought the same about me). And as far as tween and teenage boys go, it's an exciting sport to watch, and there are certainly worse things than that they come to an early appreciation of the fact that being female doesn't mean being a delicate flower.

I think the two main misconceptions that keep older people from attending are 1) the perception that you have, that it's kind of a club-scene crowd and 2) that it's the same fake, pro-wrestlingesque roller derby of days gone by. I assume that your question was prompted by this morning's other rollerderby askme, but if not, see it for some inside-derby vibe. It's a real sport, played by real women, for real points. Sure, there's showmanship and spectacle, but not at the expense of honest competition.

If you're at all interested, you should definitely take in a bout with the kids. It certainly won't be a scarring experience, and I'm betting you'll become fans.
posted by mumkin at 11:00 AM on November 16, 2007

Thanks, all. That's what I expected, but I just wanted to check. My wife thinks it's entertainment for people without the courage to go to strip clubs, but that's probably just her, and she's not going anyway.

Does anybody have anything to say about the Boston Derby Dames? That's my local team, or will be when we go.
posted by vilcxjo_BLANKA at 11:25 AM on November 16, 2007

I cheer for the roller derby here in Dallas and the bouts are always crowded with kids of all ages. If you're worried about things, there is little swearing, all the women are clothed, there are tons of other kids for them to talk to, and the events are usually held at what is already a skating rink (except in Austin they have their own space in an old airport hangar). Which means there are video games, usually, and snacks and other stuff for them to mess with if they discover derby isn't exciting. Which it is.

Bring cans and build a beer-amid for the girls to skate down in front of you... the kids will love it.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 11:27 AM on November 16, 2007

Sorry I kept saying kids... I'm 35 so to me anyone under 20 is a kid these days : )

Some of the girls that skate derby are as young as 18, if that helps.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 11:28 AM on November 16, 2007

It's an awesome idea to bring teenage boys to a roller derby. You will absolutely not be the only dad in the arena, and as others have said, you'll see other families (of all stripes) and it may open both you + your sons to another kind of social possibilities than exist in your day to day routine. Seeing rad women, with senses of humor, killer outfits, fierce competitiveness and sportsmanship is always always a great idea. If you find out their colors beforehand and make a totally minor attempt at wearing them, you'll fit in even more. Have fun!
posted by barnone at 11:28 AM on November 16, 2007

Roller Derby is easily the most entertaining team sport I've ever watched. And perhaps not obvious (to your wife, anyway) is that Roller Derby is incredibly fast-paced, very athletic, and rough and tumble. The women of roller derby (at least based on my Seattle experience) are pretty awesome models of strong women, which wouldn't be a bad thing for young men/boys to see. I know they can all kick my ass.
posted by donovan at 11:54 AM on November 16, 2007

I was at the Boston Derby Dames last week. Good times, I really enjoyed it. It is nothing like "entertainment for people without the courage to go to strip clubs." (The mascot for one of the teams was one of the skater's young daughters for goodness sakes.) It is just a bunch of hipsters hanging out, watching some amateur athletes skate around and get some good bruises. It sort of has the atmosphere of a high-school basketball game, if only the stoners were the ones in uniform.

There were not a lot of teen kids there, but it would not be inappropriate for them. They would probably get a kick out of it.
posted by tiburon at 12:01 PM on November 16, 2007

Definitely take them! I'm biased as I'm a derby girl myself - I skate with the London Rollergirls - but I think it's one of the most fun sports there is, both to watch and take part in. There's a lot more skill involved that you might think, too. My 17-year-old nephew came to our first bout in September and had a great time (and now claims to be terrified of me).

I'm really happy to see the enthusiasm in this thread. We're very much in the beginning stages here in the UK and it's sometimes nice to be reminded that in a few years' time derby could be as well-known and appreciated here as it is in the US.
posted by corvine at 2:37 PM on November 16, 2007

My wife thinks it's entertainment for people without the courage to go to strip clubs, but that's probably just her

It's just her. It's not any more "entertainment for people without the courage to go to strip clubs" than watching cheerleading, figure skating, or volleyball.
posted by yohko at 2:40 PM on November 16, 2007