Bay Area (Roller) Derby, Oakland

Roller derby is all about athleticism, strength, strategy and speed.  It's also about camaraderie, humor, aliases and alter egos.

It was exciting and incredible fun watching and trying to draw these energetic athletes at a recent practice session. Sometimes I was so amazed by the action that I forgot to sketch!

Roller derby is an international sport dominated by all-female amateur teams like the local Berkeley Resistance and the Richmond Wrecking Belles. Roller derby is being considered for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.

Thank you, Ariel, Frightmare and Gretchen Vomette for inviting the Urban Sketchers to a Bay Area Derby practice session.

Check out the action at Bay Area Derby's August 27th Championship Bouts! Tickets and other information at http://www.bayareaderby.com.

30 seconds on the penalty bench