Roller Derby Over 40: Age Not An Issue For These Tough Derby Ladies (PHOTOS)

Thanks to Drew Barrymore's film, "Whip It!" America isn't completely ignorant of the estrogen-soaked violence that has taken the nation by storm, but the picture is generally dominated by the young and the tattooed.

"By day, a rock star slash soup kitchen volunteer, by night, a bloodthirsty roller girl!"

Uh-huh.

But many of the women on the country's best roller derby teams don't fit that stereotype. They are fit, tough, over 40 years-old...and can bout with the best of them.

Meet the bad ass ladies of roller derby who have been around the track a few times:

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Alphabeth, 42, Central Mass Roller Derby

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"It's the first time in my life that I've been called an athlete and stumped my doctor with crazy bruises. ("I've never seen anything like that before.") The only other time in my life I felt this powerful was when I was breastfeeding my son!"—Battlerina, 43, River City Rollergirls Photo by: Johanna Bobrow

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"It's the first time in my life that I've been called an athlete and stumped my doctor with crazy bruises. ("I've never seen anything like that before.") The only other time in my life I felt this powerful was when I was breastfeeding my son!"—Battlerina, 43, River City Rollergirls

Photo by: Johanna Bobrow

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Comments

[Flexi Wheeler]

06:47 PM on 12/15/2010

well, people all over the country have wondered how you missed flexi wheeler but that's okay---i figure folks just didn't realize i'm over 40 ;) regardless, i have nothing but the utmost respect for the ladies featured and gave them and y'all a shout-out in my blog today: http://blog.timesunion.com/rollerderby/flexis-fitness-fanaticism/1989/
roller derby rocks and so did this article!

[Marlo Manson]

11:51 AM on 12/14/2010

I am 33 and have been skating since I was 4. Skating has been one of my only life long passions. Like many women, I struggled to find a place that I could just be myself and not worry or even care what others thought of me physically, mentally, socially or even emotionally. Then Derby came to town; just under 1yr ago, 'Bash Valley Clobber Girls,in Terre Haute, IN. was formed. The 1st Derby team to have ever existed in my home town. I fianlly found a place I can be ME! I get to be aggressive and competitive. I am allowed to be good and admit that I'm good! I don't have to hide behind an image, instead I get to project the image I want people to see. I can wear funny socks and ripped up panty hose if I choose. I can have a ton of ink or none at all. I can even fall and make a ton of mistakes. Knowing that there's an entire team of women cheering me on! Derby isn't just an ordinary team of girls. It's eclectic group of women, ranging in size, age, and occupation. Women who support, educate and empower one another! There is no room for judgement or hostility, only love, sweat and bruises! I love Roller Derby and ALL the ladies who risk broken bones to make it possible for all Derby girls to be as one UNITED TEAM that stems across the entire world!

[Lynn Hebert Reading]

01:01 PM on 12/13/2010

I am 43 years old and had never played a team sport until I joined roller derby a year ago, then I thought where the hell has this been all my life!!! Now I know where I belong!!! This sport has taught me so many things and i've met so many awesome, amazing people. The best thing about roller derby is that any WOMAN can play, big, small, short, tall we love them all. I think this sport is here to stay, and we will empower women with it all over the world. look around it's already happening!! Ima BustYouUp from the River Town Roller Girls Enderby, British Columbia, Canada

[MaMa Gore]

11:40 AM on 12/10/2010

This is sooooooo AWSOME! Thanks so much for putting us "COUGARS" out there! Ladies of a "Cetain Age" are AMAZING in this sport:)

[MaMa Gore]

11:37 AM on 12/10/2010

I am MaMa Gore and I am 52! Just so ya know:)

[Anguissette1979]

09:06 AM on 12/10/2010

Awesome! You go ladies... I'm 31 and skate for NH Roller Derby and it is one of the most amazing things I think I've ever done.

[Anguissette1979]

09:45 AM on 12/10/2010

PS: This article should totally be in the sports section. ;-)

[Flash Hottie]

09:04 PM on 12/09/2010

Crashes, we've fixed your picture caption. Your glorious 43 years and league are now public knowledge!

[Sandra Dobson]

07:28 PM on 12/09/2010

You friggin Bad Ass. I love you so much. I am so happy that you are MY sister. Can't wait for us to smash more butts together. In two years maybe I can make the list :0) Big Congrats to you!

[Cat OMighty]

12:20 PM on 12/10/2010

Sandra -- Boomz!!! You are such a wonderful sister, and it was great being together 2 years ago learning how to skate so we could play derby. 2 years from now, you better be part of the Cougar pack. My goal is 2019 or bust -- and beyond if they haven't carried me off the track by then =^,^=
--Cat O'Mighty #1959

[Sandra Dobson]

07:25 PM on 12/09/2010

Love you Cat O' Mighty. Remember those days at the Vouz. Congrats to you!!! This is so awesome

[ViSuvius]

05:43 PM on 12/09/2010

Mad derby love to all my "cougar" derby sisters out there! And Evel Knina, do what your doc says, we need you all healed and back out on the track!

[garymc8]

04:26 PM on 12/09/2010

You can't talk roller derby queens without Ann. She was the real Queen
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5294138

[Flash Hottie]

11:52 AM on 12/10/2010

I'd love to know more about her. email me [e-mail] and tell me!

[garymc8]

04:20 PM on 12/09/2010

Love the roller derby babes. I got to work with Ann Cavela (sp?). She was in her 50's and still skating, professionally. She may have the world record for the oldest professional athlete. Her and Gordy Howe.

[punknoir]

04:19 PM on 12/09/2010

This is so cool! Collene Oscopy is a friend of mine. It's just amazing how two years of hip checks and twisted ankles have transformed her from a day-to-day mother/wife/worker into a sweaty but happy roller queen.
As for 52tucker, she's partly right, that when it's done poorly it's not as fun to watch. But as these women get better and better and the crowd(myself included) begin to understand the rules and tactics, the overall experience improves.
Yes, the costumes are cheezy. But more than a few of the names are well-earned. Collene Oscopy has sent many a roller deb flying into the crowd on a wing and a prayer.

[tigergrrldc]

04:16 PM on 12/09/2010

DC has a flat track league and I love it! It's very exciting.

[52tucker]

03:46 PM on 12/09/2010

This stuff is dumb. I really don't get the fascination with it. Its great that these ladies are having a fun time, but it isn't very exciting to watch, despite the cheesy costumes and names.