So what’s holding you back?

This could be you … but you’ll never know unless you try.

You’ve thought about joining roller derby. You’ve thought of going to a bootcamp or a tryout for the Burning River Roller Girls.

But you talked yourself out of it.

You’re not athletic enough, you say. Not strong enough. Fast enough. Young enough. Old enough. You don’t have the right look. You have kids. You’re a single mom. You’re in school. You’re not alt or edgy enough. You don’t like tattoos. You’re too skinny. You’re too big. You’re too short. Too tall. You live too far away. You have health problems. You work two jobs. You’re never going to be as good as so-and-so.

You’re scared.

We get it. But don’t let that stop you.

The Burning River Roller Girls is hosting it’s 4th boot camp Sunday, June 2, leading up to tryouts this summer. Click here for all the details.

Here’s what we require for you to participate:

1. Are you a woman 18 years of age or older?
2. Do you have the required gear or can you borrow it?
3. Do you have basic skating skills?
4. Do you have a passion to learn roller derby and work hard at it?

Yes? That’s all we need from you. Forget everything else. We have women in our league or know women who play derby elsewhere who are JUST LIKE YOU. If you have the drive to make this work, we can help you. We can put you in touch with women who understand your situation, and who can share how she has overcome those obstacles, too.

Of course derby isn’t for everyone. But our bootcamps are an excellent way to find out if this is a good fit for you and your lifestyle and an opportunity to start connecting with women who understand the challenges of balancing a life and doing something you love.

Can’t make it June 2? Still scared? Please get on our recruiting email list. Our Recruiting Director Soul Eater is a wealth of information about what to expect and how to prepare to be a derby player. Email her at recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com.

Still not convinced? Come to our bout on Saturday night!  Get your tickets here!  See what it’s all about!

Hang Out with Burning River Roller Girls at Uncle Joe’s!

Want to hang out with and help out the Burning River Roller Girls?  Well, here’s your chance.

What: Burning River Roller Girls Fundraiser and hang out and food and beer and prizes!

Where: Uncle Joe’s Bar and Grill

6211 W. 130th Street, Parma Heights

When: Saturday, August 11 @ 6 p.m.

How much?  $20 will get you in the door and you will be able to eat delicious food and drinks.  All the delicious food that you want!  Did we mention drinks?  You’ll get free drinks too.  Wow!

We will also have raffle baskets and prizes!!!  What more could you ask for!  Come out and support your Cleveland Roller Derby!!!

Want to spend more time with BRRG skaters?  Don’t forget about our one night only screening of Derby Baby: A Story of Love, Addiction, and Rink Rash on August 16 at the Capitol Theatre!! 

Join BRRG for a night at the movies!

The Burning River Roller Girls is hosting a screening of Derby Baby: A Story of Love, Addiction and Rink Rash, a documentary about the rise of roller derby around the world.

The event will take place Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Capitol Theatre.

Our league is very excited to host this screening, but we’re even more excited to meet you! Your favorite skaters from BRRG will be on hand to meet fans and answer questions about roller derby. If you have any friends who want to know more about roller derby or who wonder what it’s all about, this is a great chance to show them!

The documentary explores  everything from the estimated 20,000 women playing the sport in the U.S. to last year’s first ever World Cup. Narrated by Juliette Lewis (Whip It), Derby Baby takes viewers on a quest to learn why women’s roller derby is the fastest growing sport in the world.

This event is one-night only, though, so make sure you save the date and buy your tickets now!

What: Screening of Derby Baby: A Story of Love, Addiction and Rink Rash
Where: Capitol Theatre, 1390 West 65th Street, Cleveland
When: Thursday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 children. Tickets and more information are available at clevelandcinemas.com.

Hellbombers reign supreme

Hellbombers raise their trophy high … and Cleveland is Amazing.

Howdy, roller derby fans! Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that our home team championships were earlier this month. While the Rolling Pin-Ups were able to overcome the reigning champs, the Hellbombers, earlier in the season, the girls in black and red were not about to hand over that Hazard Cup.

The Hellbombers won the championships 145-101.

Here are some other key scores and a recap of June 9 championships. But derby isn’t over yet for the season! Our HazMat Crew will be in Youngstown this Saturday, and both HazMat and All-Stars will be playing in Akron July 14. More details on those bouts tomorrow.

May 5 – Semifinals

Hellbombers 181, Hard Knockers 81
Rolling Pin-Ups 138, Cleveland Steamers 97

June 9 – Championships

Hard Knockers 185, Cleveland Steamers 84
Hellbombers 145, Rolling Pin-Ups 101

June 16
Burning River travel teams vs. Tri-City Roller Girls
BRRG’s Pyromaniacs vs. Glass City

Pyromaniacs 83, Glass City Rollers 19
Burning River All-Stars 125,  Tri-City Thunder 147
HazMat Crew 214, Tri-City Plan B 118

Premo Donna and the Killustrator round the track skate for skate.

The Hard Knockers and the Cleveland Steamers opened the night June 9, vying for third and fourth place among the Burning River home teams.

The first half was mostly dominated by the Hard Knockers, with the score hitting 31-8 by the 13th jam. But a 15-point jam by the Killustrator of the Steamers (the biggest score from either team for the half) evened the playing field a little, bring the score to a more attainable 31-23.

The first half ended with a score of Hard Knockers 55 to Cleveland Steamers 42, making it anyone’s game.

A swarm of Hard Knockers!

But the Hard Knockers really stepped up their game in the second half. Premo Donna slammed the Steamers with three double-digit jams in the first 9 jams, with 14, 19, and 19 points respectively, bringing the score 119-56. Scarlet GoDancin sealed the deal with a  25-point jam.

Final score 185-84, with the Hard Knockers scoring 130 of those points in the second half!

Lead change was the name of the game in the first half of the Rolling Pin-Ups vs. Hellbombers bout. A Hellbomber lead was snatched by Punkd Pixie’s 18 point jam, giving the Pin-Ups a 28-14 lead.

Eduskater took the lead back a few jams later with a 13-point jam. Punkd Pixie quickly responded with 13 points of her own, only to have the lead taken again by a 12-point jam from Marion Razorwound.

Hidden Ajennda puts a stop to Razorwound.

The Pin-Ups had 58 at the half against the Hellbombers 62.

The Hellbombers would maintain that lead throughout the second half. Several key jams solidified the lead for the Hellbombers, including a 20-point jam for Professor Booty (the skater formerly known as Your Royal Majesty formerly known as Professor Booty).

Final score Hellbombers 145 to Rolling Pin-Ups 101.

Congrats to the Hellbombers, and stay tuned for more travel team action coming your way this summer! For more play-by-play updates of past games and future events, check our live Twitter updates at www.twitter.com/burningriver.

Your last-minute guide to tonight’s bout!

Travel team bouts

Here’s everything you need to know for today’s bout!

Preshow Bout: Pyromaniacs vs. Glass City Rollers (Toledo)
Bout 1: Burning River All-Stars vs. Tri-City Thunder (Kitchener, Ontario)
Bout 2: Burning River HazMat Crew vs. Tri-City Plan B (Kitchener, Ontario)

Tickets can still be purchased in person at the Wolstein Center box office when you arrive.

Doors open at 5 p.m. / Home teams, 6 p.m.
Wolstein Center – Cleveland State University
2000 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio

Tickets:
General admission
Adult day-of: $17
Kids (12 and younger): $6
Special group (Student, Military, etc.): $10

VIP admission
Adult day-of: $20
VIP special group (Student, Military, etc.): $12

What does VIP mean? VIP gets you access to the sectioned off area on the floor with tables and chairs (see the action up-close without sitting on the floor)! It also gives you access to a private cash bar, so you never have to leave the action for refreshments. You as always can also sit wherever you want in the Wolstein Center, but you always have special access to this section.

I’m new to roller derby. What’s happening on the track? Great! Welcome! Look for our “Ask Me About Derby” representatives. Skaters will be walking around during the bouts with bright orange shirts. They are ready to answer any questions you might have about roller derby, from the basics to trickier strategic plays happening on the track.

What’s with this preshow bout? The Glass City Rollers will be matched up with BRRG’s Pyromaniacs, our farm team from which our other teams draft. The teams will play one 30-minute period before the travel teams face off, so show up a little early to cheer on the rising stars of the BRRG!

Parking is available in several parking areas and on streets near the Wolstein Center. The easiest access is a parking deck right next door. In the past, parking has cost about $6, but we have no control over this area, so there’s no guarantee that will be the price today. Just make sure you have cash on hand. In the past, the deck has closed at midnight. Make sure you check the times when you park.

Extras: Check out our BRRG Kids Club and our memorial table for Luna Lovewound in the concourse. Join us in the fan zone on the track after the last bout for skater autographs!

Also, the Wolstein Center does serve alcohol, including fancier drinks at the bar concession areas. Take our food and drink survey to let the Wolstein Center know what you would like to see more of at our bouts! Look for Katniss Evermean around the raffle table area. She’s also collecting survey information there.

AFTER PARTY: There will be an after party event at the Old Angle Tavern, 1848 West 25th St., Cleveland. Bring your ticket stub and come join the skaters as they celebrate!

CHAMPIONSHIPS! Your last-minute guide

Did you miss our semifinals May 5? Here’s a glimpse at what you missed:

Pyromaniacs vs. Sandusky

Hellbombers vs. Hard Knockers

Rolling Pin-Ups vs. Cleveland Steamers

If you missed out, don’t make the same mistake again! Here’s everything you need to know for today’s bout!

Preshow Bout: Cleveland Firestarters Junior Roller Derby
Bout 1: Hard Knockers vs. Cleveland Steamers
Bout 2: Hellbombers vs. Rolling Pin-Ups

Tickets can still be purchased in person at the Wolstein Center box office when you arrive.

Doors open at 5 p.m. / Home teams, 6 p.m.
Wolstein Center – Cleveland State University
2000 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio

Tickets:
General admission
Adult day-of: $17
Kids (12 and younger): $6
Special group (Student, Military, etc.): $10

VIP admission
Adult day-of: $20
VIP special group (Student, Military, etc.): $12

What does VIP mean? VIP gets you access to the sectioned off area on the floor with tables and chairs (see the action up-close without sitting on the floor)! It also gives you access to a private cash bar, so you never have to leave the action for refreshments. You as always can also sit wherever you want in the Wolstein Center, but you always have special access to this section.

I’m new to roller derby. What’s happening on the track? Great! Welcome! We have programs available for only $2 that include a break down of the basics of roller derby with rules and graphics. A great resource for newbies or those who want to refine their knowledge. Also look for our “Ask Me About Derby” representatives. Skaters will be walking around during the bouts with bright orange shirts. They are ready to answer any questions you might have about roller derby, from the basics to trickier strategic plays happening on the track.

Parking is available in several parking areas and on streets near the Wolstein Center. The easiest access is a parking deck right next door. In the past, parking has cost about $6, but we have no control over this area, so there’s no guarantee that will be the price today. Just make sure you have cash on hand. In the past, the deck has closed at midnight. Make sure you check the times when you park.

Extras: Check out our BRRG Kids Club and our memorial table for Luna Lovewound in the concourse. Also try your luck at today’s raffle, a basket filled with gobs of gift cards and goodies. Join us in the fan zone on the track after the last bout for skater autographs!

Also, the Wolstein Center does serve alcohol, including fancier drinks at the bar concession areas. Take our food and drink survey to let the Wolstein Center know what you would like to see more of at our bouts!

AFTER PARTY: There will be an after party event at the Harbor Inn, 1219 Main Avenue, Cleveland. Bring your ticket stub and come join the skaters as they celebrate!

Who will take home the Hazard Cup??? Find out tonight!

Cinco de Mayo with a Long Island chaser

Maul-ibu Barbie and Punkd Pixie race.

Fans, start warming up your vocal chords and get ready to cheer your brains out because this weekend is literally bursting at the seams with roller derby.

SEMIFINALS, MAY 5

First up will be one of the most exciting nights of the year for Cleveland roller derby as the league welcomes you to the semifinals for its home team exhibition games. Skaters will compete at the Cleveland State Wolstein Center May 5 with the Hellbombers vs. the Hard Knockers and the Rolling Pin-Ups vs. the Cleveland Steamers.

The Pin-Ups are in first place after an upset of the previously undefeated Hellbombers. But no one is safe in the semifinals. Winners of these bouts will determine who will have a shot at the highly sought Hazard Cup for the June 9 championship games!

Arrive early for a special match-up between our farm team, the Pyromaniacs, and our special guests, the Sandusky Roller Girls.

And don’t worry. While this event is family friendly, with a kids club and other activities, there’s also a bar for those who want to get their Cinco de Mayo fun started for the night. Ole!

Tickets
Adult advance: $12; Adult day-of: $17; Kids (12 and younger): $6; Special group (Student, Military): $10
Ask the box office about special VIP rates.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Wolstein Center box office, by phone at 1-877-468-4946 or online at www.burningriverrollergirls.com. Processing/convenience fees apply for online and phone orders.

Venue information
Doors open at 5 p.m. / Pre-show bout 5:15 p.m. / Main event 6 p.m.
Wolstein Center – Cleveland State University
2000 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio

ALL-STARS VS. LONG ISLAND, MAY 6

But don’t party too hard because Sunday morning it’s time to roll out of bed for a special match-up between the Burning River All-Stars and the Long Island Roller Rebels of New York at Pla-Mor Roller Rink in Euclid. The All-Stars team is made of the best of the best of the Burning River Roller Girls, and these skaters plan to prove it in this bout.

Concessions will be available at the Pla-Mor snack stand. Bring your own soft mats or plastic chairs for seating.

See you this weekend!

Tickets
General admission: $3 (cash only). Available at the door.
Free for season pass holders. Check your email for details.

Venue information
Doors open at 10 a.m. / Bout 10:20 a.m.
Pla-Mor Roller Rink
22466 Shore Center Drive
Cleveland, OH

Get into our April 21 bout FREE

To our friends, family and loyal fans, you’ve given us so much, and we’re so thankful for all you do for the Burning River Roller Girls.

But there’s another way we could really use your help.

We are looking for volunteers for our upcoming bout April 21. As a skater-owned, skater-run organization, volunteers truly make things happen. 

As a bonus, you will get into the bout for FREE, which will give you a sneak peek at some of the behind-the-scenes work involved in a bout. Plus you get to share in some delicious free Qdoba!

Worried about missing your favorite team play? West Nel Virus will work with your requests to make sure you can maximize your enjoyment of the bout. ANY time you can give to us would be greatly appreciated! You are welcome to bring a friend along to keep you company, so long as your friend is working alongside you 🙂

Please find below a brief list of the opportunities we have available. If you’re interested, please contact West Nel Virus as soon as possible for more details at westnelvirus@gmail.com .

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Raffle Ticket Sellers at table
• Program and Raffle Ticket Sellers in the stands
• VIP Greeting Table – Greet VIPs and media at Gate C and keep the VIP area secure

Can’t make it April 21? We’d love to have you help out another date this season: May 5, June 9, June 16 or July 21.

THANK YOU to everyone who has already volunteered. We truly could not do this without you!

Season 6, Bout 2 recap

March 31 was a spectacular day for roller derby at the Wolstein Center. The evening opened with two firsts for the Burning River Roller Girls, as the BRRG Pyromaniacs took on the Sandusky Roller Girls in 30-minute pre-show bout.

Pyromaniacs vs. Sandusky
This was the first public bout for the Pyromaniacs, the Burning River team from which we draft players to the other teams. It also was the first time we’ve hosted an outside league to compete against us at the Wolstein Center.

Both teams fought hard, with two interesting players of note on the track who had to play against their former teams. Doctor Whooha of the Hellbombers, a transfer skater this past year from the Sandusky Roller Girls, stepped in the fill out the roster for the Pyromaniacs, while Halochic was wearing gold for Sandusky instead of her former team, the Cleveland Steamers.

It was a great debut for the Pyromaniacs. Social Batterfly made a strong showing jamming for the Pyromaniacs, while little miss philthy worked some solid strategic blocks to clear the way for her jammers.

But it wasn’t enough to hold the likes of Halochic and Truffle Shuffle of Sandusky at bay. Sandusky went home with the win, 79-15.

Ms. Creant of the Steamers keeps an eye on oooh Shinee of the Pin-Ups as she tries to make it through the pack.

Rolling Pin-Ups vs. Cleveland Steamers
It was anyone’s bout in the first half for the Cleveland Steamers and Rolling Pin-Ups. Mauli-ibu Barbie of the Cleveland Steamers won the honor of first lead jammer of the night and put up two points for her team.

But the Pin-Ups wouldn’t let them keep the lead and rounded out the half with a score of 56-23.

The Pin-Ups came out blazing in the second half, determined to protect that lead, with Punkd Pixie immediately posting a 19-point jam, followed closely by a 20-point jam from oooh Shinee and another 19-point jam from Pixie.

Despite some strong defensive efforts from Dita and Rainbow Fright of the Steamers, the Pin-Ups could not be held back and won the game 188-34.

Mary Kaos of the Hellbombers bursts out of the pack.

Hellbombers vs.  Hard Knockers
Once again, the Hard Knockers played some excellent derby, making for a close, exciting and very tense match-up, this time against the Hellbombers.

The Hard Knockers’ Premo Donna  put up the first three points of the game. The ladies in pink were able to keep the Hellbombers score to only one point for the first seven jams. 

While the Hellbombers were able to creep their way back up, tying the game at 25-25 with 9 minutes left, the Hard Knockers would successfully keep the Hellbombers scoreless for the rest of the half, rounding out the period at 43-25.

But the Hellbombers came out of the locker room in the second half a new team. In the first jam of the second half, Mary Kaos put up 20 points for the Hellbombers, changing the lead in her team’s favor.

A 25-point jam by Your Royal Majesty, followed by more double-digit jams by Marion Razorwound and Kaos, sealed the victory for the Hellbombers, despite a continued strong showing from the Knockers. Hellbombers win 132-78.

Join us for more derby April 21 as the Cleveland Steamers face off against the Hard Knockers, and the Pin-Ups take on the Hellbombers. Winners of this bout will determine line-ups for the semifinals, May 5.

MVPs
Cleveland Steamers
Jammer: the Killustrator
Pivot: Maul-ibu Barbie
Blocker: Beatrix Wicked

Rolling Pin-ups
Jammer: Mae Burnya
Pivot: J.Poww!
Blocker: decibelle

Hark Knockers
Jammer: Premo Donna
Pivot: Vendetta Farfalle
Blocker: Finnish-Her

Hellbombers
Jammer: Mary Kaos
Pivot: Destroya
Blocker: Your Royal Majesty

Do you dream of playing roller derby?

The Killustrator flies around the track.

Do you love to skate? Have you ever watched a bout and wondered if you have what it takes? Do you dream of playing roller derby?

Yes? Then this is for you!

Burning River Roller Girls is looking for women 18 years or older interested in learning the skills necessary to join the league. We will host three bootcamps over the next few months leading up to tryouts to become a Burning River Roller Girl!

BOOTCAMP 1

Sunday, April 22, 9:45 a.m. to noon
(Be geared up and ready to go at 10 a.m.)
Pla-Mor Skating Rink in Euclid, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH

BOOTCAMP 2

Sunday, May 20, 7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(Be geared up and ready to go at 8 p.m.)
Brunswick Skate Station, 1261 Industrial Pkwy N # 4  Brunswick, OH 44212

BOOTCAMP 3

Wednesday, June 13, 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(Be geared up and ready to go at 7:30 p.m.)
Pla-Mor Skating Rink in Euclid, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH

DETAILS

Cost will be $10 for each session. You must bring a driver’s license or state ID with you.

Gear Required

Skaters must either purchase or make their own arrangements to borrow gear and skates. The usual brown rental rink skates will be available, but it’s highly recommended to have your own skates or borrow regular derby skates as they are quite a bit different. For more details on required gear, recommended brands, and locations to purchase gear, visit our website.

• Quad skates
• Hockey/Skateboard/Bicycle helmet
• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Wrist guards
• Mouth guard

At these bootcamps some of our coaches will demonstrate and have skaters practice the skills that will be tested during tryouts to become a Burning River Roller Girl.

Basic skating competency is required (if you still hold on to a wall while skating, this isn’t for you). This is NOT a skating lesson, and the skills demonstrated and practiced will be difficult to complete if attendees are unable to skate.

Still interested? Contact our recruiting director, Soul Eater, at recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com so she can answer any of your questions and keep you updated on all the latest information about training to become a roller girl! Tryouts could be as early as July 1, so get on the list so you know when the date is set.