Video Captures the Excitement of Salem Roller Derby

The thrills and spills were not in short order, no way!

Video by Tim King, photos by Dexter Phoenix Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The debut of the Cherry City Roller Derby in Salem over the weekend was a massive success, so much so that people were turned away at the door of the Salem Pavilion.

Crowd estimates were in the neighborhood of 3000 and that seems like a conservative estimate. The hardcore fast-paced knock 'em out of your way approach that this sport represents, was matched by the buzz and excitement of eager fans that waited a long time to see this women's sport reemerge.

I mean let's face it, roller derby was a big deal in the older days, and the passion of that time period has scarcely waned.

Now a new generation is rolling to victory, and defeat, and few sports combine the elements of fun and excitement so well.

Some of the braver fans watched the derby from the floor, always aware that an out-of-control powerhouse in fishnet stockings could come slamming into their crowd, they don't care, in fact it seemed like the goal for some.

The thrills and spills were not in short order, no way! Hard crashes, sliding crashes, tangled girls crashing together, you name it, they weren't messing around.

One memorable part of the event is the energy of the "Fearleaders" who wore an outfit that was a cross somehow between a cheerleader and a viking. One Fearleader who goes by the name "Lovehammer" says this is the type of event that puts the "cool" back in Salem.

Final Score:
Final score 8 Wheel Assassins 144
Boneyard Brawlers 80

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