Boundary Bay Brewery has just become a sponsor of the Bellingham Roller Betties! We’re happy to support this great local non-profit and we’re excited to serve our Bettie Blond beer in the beer garden at each of their bouts this season.
So, what is roller derby? Basically, it is all female, do-it-yourself, flat track racing. According to the Today Show, it is the fastest growing sport in the United States! The Bellingham Roller Betties are one of five new leagues forming in Washington State. The Bellingham Roller Betties was founded in 2006 as a skater owned and operated DIY, nonprofit organization and is now over 50 women strong.
It works like this: The game, or “bout”, is played between two teams in a set of 20-minute periods. During each period there are an unlimited amount of jams (usually around nine or ten). When the pack is in formation the ref blows the whistle and the jam begins. Once the pack is on a roll, the ref blows a double whistle and the Jammers take off. The first Jammer to legally break through the pack in the initial pass is named the Lead Jammer. The jam lasts for two minutes unless the Lead Jammer calls it off for strategic reasons. The pack, Blockers and Pivots, set up offensive plays to help their own teams Jammer through the pack, and also play defense to prevent the opposing team’s Jammer from scoring. The Jammers are the only ones that can score, by lapping the pack then on subsequent laps passing the opposing Blockers and Pivot, all while staying in bounds.
It may not be the most conventional sporting activity, but it remains a positive outlet for women to spontaneously participate in athleticism and self expression. The Roller Betties have their first bout on Saturday, March 14th at the Bellingham Sportsplex. You don’t want to miss the season opener! Tickets are only $5-$10 and you can purchase them online. And for those over 21, don’t forget to check out the beer garden at the sportsplex and give Boundary Bay Brewery’s Bettie Blond beer a try.