ABU DHABI // Played with full contact at high speed, flat-track roller derby is an extreme sport that's all set to take off in the capital.
A mix of speed skating and ice hockey, the game involves two teams hurtling around an oval track, battling for points in a series of two-minute bouts, all of which can take up to an hour to fight out.
Canadian lawyer Tracie Scott, a former figure skater, became obsessed with the sport in 2010 as a stress-buster. She has lost about 30lbs since taking up the game. "After a match, you feel like you've done a full cardiovascular workout mixed with a strength and conditioning session," said the 37-year-old, who will help host a boot camp for the Abu Dhabi Roller Derby league to recruit new players this month.
"The sport is fast and exciting and good for spectators. There is always something happening. Because it is new here, we explain to anyone watching how it is played."
Roller derby involves two teams of five skating in the same direction around the track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups, in which both teams designate a scoring player, or "jammer", who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team.
The teams attempt to block the opposing jammer while assisting their own, so all players are acting in both offence and defence.
Ms Scott, from Edmonton in Alberta, hasn't been put off by the sport's physicality. "My job was pretty stressful so I was looking for something to get into that would help relieve that. This is perfect," she said. "You can play it almost anywhere, in a parking lot or a warehouse."
Roller derby has 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, and is growing in popularity here. Dubai has an established league, while Abu Dhabi will stage tryouts. It is hoped the two sides will match up in a one-off clash in April.
The tryouts will take place at Du Forum on February 27, from 9am until 5pm. The programme is open to the public and includes a skills practice, a cardio workout and a full-scrimmage practice.
English teacher Milene Bizaki, 35, took up roller derby in 2013. "We are a new team but the idea of a boot camp is to get more players to take on the Dubai roller derby team," said the Brazilian, who now lives in Abu Dhabi.
"It is a new sport for the area, and we are mostly expats from Canada, Australia and America, so a lot of us are learning every time we go out to play."
Knee and elbow pads, a helmet and mouth guard are compulsory, and players use the more stable quad-skates. Although there are junior, male and mixed roller derby leagues in other countries, ADRD has an all-female league only at the moment.
For more information, email infoadrd@gmail.com or visit the ADRD Facebook page.
nwebster@thenational.ae
