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Round ‘n’ Round


 

I can’t remember where I saw this but it definitely caught my eye:


Roller Derby? In Howard County? Yes, and they even have their own Facebook page. Will wonders never cease.

Event by Patuxent Roller Derby

Alpha Ridge Community Park

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

Have you ever wanted to be a roller derby skater but didn't know how to get started?

Now is your chance to dust off your skates and get rolling again!

Patuxent Roller Derby is hosting a beginner boot camp on Saturdays, 09/11 to 10/30.

It's only $75 for 8 weeks of training

No experience required. Must be 18 & over to participate.

Register here: https://forms.gle/SqdNLoD5bphhzd2u7  

Although yesterday was the first day of the session, I believe they are still taking registrations if you are interested. 

I grew up thinking that the roller derby was scary and violent and the domain of “tough broads” who were “largely unattractive.” (Can you hear my mother’s voice here? I sure can.) But I have women friends who adore the roller derby and appear to be drawn to it as a liberating force. It seems to have a ‘smash the patriarchy and thumb your nose at societal expectations’ vibe.

One question: if they’re fielding a team, will they need a local facility to host events? Would CA’s roller rink suffice?

Columbia/HoCo has attracted heightened interest over the last few years for its growing community of cricket players and the corresponding adaptation of fields to be used as cricket pitches. And this summer we hosted a weekend of Quidditch competition play. So, why not Roller Derby? We can be quirky when we feel like it. There’s more to us than summer swim leagues and soccer play for preschoolers on up. 

I should mention here that Howard Community College has an e-sports team, although I have to admit I don’t understand why this qualifies as a sport. Perhaps my personal definition is too narrow. 

Are there any quirky or generally unexpected sports you’d like to see take hold in Columbia/HoCo? Snooker? Darts? Underwater hockey? If you’re looking for ideas this might be a good place to start.

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