An Ode to the 80s, Roller Disco Style
Last night, our Lethbridge Sports team had the opportunity to stop by the 80’s Roller Disco hosted by Roller Skate Lethbridge and Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild. Both organizations are struggling following 2 seasons largely wiped out by the COVID pandemic, so hosting the Roller Disco and getting back on their skates was a great experience for their members. The event was open to the public, and at one time we counted over 200 individuals in attendance.
In a true homage to the once iconic roller rink scene of the late 80’s, the Lethbridge Curling Club was transformed with into a big dark space with laser lights, pounding bass, synth guitars, and neon glow sticks. Skaters of all skill levels zip past on their roller skates, some even adorned with light-up wheels leaving psychedelic streaks in their wake. Some participants went all in on the 1980’s theme, sporting parachute pants, leg warmers, big gold and big gold chains.
One trio of skaters showed the mix of people in attendance. They spoke to us anonymously as they were all minors. One of the three young women was a member of the Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild, and an experienced Roller Derby competitor. Next to her, her friend tells us this is her first skating event ever, although she’s been skating around her neighborhood since COVID started and can’t wait to try out for the [Derby] team next year. The third follows her friends a little unsteadily, and admits this is her first time in roller skates.
Cherri Blaster, one of the leaders with both Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild and Roller Skate Lethbridge, was done her admin duties and about to hit the rink herself an hour into the event when we caught up with her. “It’s really everything!” She says lacing up her skates. “We lost so much time and skating opportunity to COVID, being back and having such a great attendance is truly amazing.” Nearby, a second wave of volunteers is still dealing with a steady stream of people in line to get in and rent skates. “It was disappointing when we had to cancel the Derby this year, but I’m so happy that we were able to put this event on and get so many members of the public involved.”
Cherri is alluding to the annual Hellz Jezebel Memorial Tournament roller derby that the Guild usually hosts to wrap up their season. The tournament was a casualty of COVID uncertainty for the 2021 season, meaning most of the Derby players weren’t able to participate in any competition in 2021 at all. Nevertheless, of the many team members in attendance at the Disco, all shared the opinion that being able to lace up and get skating was a great experience.