Events and Activities : 'Royal Brawl' as Rollergirls hold first home contest of 2010

Rollergirls practice their passing and blocking at Vinton Skate Center.

Danielle Linsdsey, Ashley Waters listen to coach AJ during recent practice in Vinton.

Ashley Waters was among several new members to join the Rollergirls this year.

Listening to the coach: Danielle Lindsey, left and Ashley Waters learn the drills with Rollergirls

Belle gives instructions to skaters including Kim Hotchkiss, right, during Rollergirls practice.

Team members make a lap around course marked off at Vinton Skate Center, where they meet regularly.

Fresh Meat coach Old School offers tips to new member Ashley Waters during tryouts in March.

Amelia and Belle demonstrate the proper skating stance during tryouts.

They practice three times each week in Vinton in preparation for their monthly big events: Contests called "bouts."

The Cedar Rapids Rollergirls were in Vinton again this week, preparing for a Saturday, April 3 contest. or bout, against the team from Sioux City. 

"We will have a very tough practice tonight said Tonya Brown, who has the nickname Rockabelle when she skates with the Rollergirls. 

Brown handle PR for the Rollergirls, who have been competing for the past two years. 

The team's more experienced competitors come to Vinton on Monday and Thursday nights for practice, while the new skaters (nicknamed Fresh Meat) practice on a different night.  

Brown said the skaters planned to have a very tough and physical practice on Monday evening. Then on Thursday, the practice will be lighter and focus on strategies. On Friday night the skaters will set up the course at the U.S. Cellular Center in preparation for the 7 p.m event on Saturday, April 3.

Fourteen members of the Rollergirls will suit up for the bout. Each team has 5 skaters on the course at any given time. The team scores a point each time its jammer passes the other team. Blockers attempt to stop the other team's jammer from passing them while also protecting their own jammer.

Despite the violent nature of the sport, Brown said that typically after a contest, both teams will meet for a party with their families. This week, the Rollergirls and their families will meet at the place called 616.

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Each bout has a theme; this one is called the "Royal Brawl." The promotional poster shows several Rollergirls in fancy dresses and angry scowls.

Several Vinton area skaters are among the Fresh Meat. While these skaters will not compete this weekend, they will help at the event, running the gates and sales tables.