Women’s roller derby picking up speed on Treasure Coast

Roller derby fever has hit the Treasure Coast.
Not the cheesy hair-pulling, catfighting action typical of the 1990’s TV series “RollerGames.”
But at Halpatiokee Park in Stuart, the Treasure Coast Rollergirls are combining sisterhood, skating skills, a pugnacious posture and a feisty wit to build an all-female derby team, ready to face their first flat-track bout Sunday.
These tough-as-nails ladies with an affinity for body art and kicking booty are fiercely dedicated to the sport and are part of a nationwide roller derby boom, said league president Amy English of Jensen Beach, founder of the 16-member team.
“It’s empowering,” said English, 21, who plays as Amy Leethal. “You really form this crazy bond with the people you play the sport with.”
The team is one of more than 45 regulated by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which sets minimum skating skills and rules for interleague competition.
Treasure Coast Rollergirls communicate through their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/tcrollergirls.
“This is a SPORT,” states the Web site. “So be prepared to sweat, ache, and sober up at least a few hours a week for practice.”
The team is seeking new players 18 and older of all “curves, creeds and cultures” who can practice up to three times a week.
“We call it derby fever. It totally takes over your entire life when you start playing,” English said. “When she gets her skates on and gets through the pack of girls, there’s nothing like it.”
During a recent practice, Stuart mother Tara “Deshreds” Mahovetz, 34, who raises a 14-year-old daughter and owns a house party business, said she signed up after seeing a Rollergirls flier posted at a Starbucks.
“I knew immediately I wanted to be a derby girl,” said Mahovetz, lacing up white skates with pink quad wheels.
“It’s like a bug you catch; you just get it in your blood.”
Doing leg stretches in blue fishnets and long striped stockings under a black flared skirt and a Rollergirls tank top, Mahovetz said her teammates taught her how to skate — training everyone receives.
“The girls are awesome,” she said. “And derby people are unique; they don’t judge you.”...

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