Rollins Road is a predominantly industrial thoroughfare that runs parallel to Highway 101, best known for the always-busy In-N-Out at the intersection of Millbrae Avenue. Just a few doors down is Burlingamer, a facility currently owned by the Burlingame Soccer Club. Although it is typically used for youth indoor soccer practice, on Thursday and Sunday nights the space is filled with the sounds of adults laughing, skating and occasionally hitting each other.
Peninsula Roller Derby is a non-profit organization and competitive member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. It strives to be an inclusive and safe community for everyone, as a space where amateur athletes can learn roller derby regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, language, culture or abilities. Part of that inclusion includes being aware of those who are still COVID-conscious. Although players can remove their masks during team competitive practice if they test negative, masks are worn most of the time.
Burlingamer has been the home of the Peninsula Roller Derby for the past five years and also hosts the Supernovas, the PRD’s top-tier team that is part of the California Derby Galaxy Coalition. Roller Derby teams and leagues can be found all over the world, although it is most popular in the United States and has an enthusiastic community in the Bay Area.
For the uninitiated, roller derby is a full-contact sport played on quad skates. There are two teams, and each team fields four blockers and one jammer. Each game consists of two 30-minute periods made up of two-minute rounds called “jams.”
The jammers, who wear a star on their helmets, have to travel the entire track and past opposing blockers to score points, and at the end of the game, the team with the most points wins, according to Peninsula Derby coach Sheridan Ross.
What seems like a fairly straightforward premise is presented in an extravagant display of strategy, athleticism, and brute strength. Even if you don’t understand all the rules (which I admit I’m still confused about), you can’t help but be amazed by the action.
What’s even more impressive about attending a Peninsula Roller Derby training session is the sense of community. Between jams, there are smiles and high fives. Before practice, teammates catch up on the week, and after practice, they exchange gifts, including plants, homegrown fruit, pet treats, clothing and recipes.
To be involved in roller derby is to be committed. The coaches, captains and referees are all volunteers. They arrive early and stay late to help secure and clean the tape that outlines the banner. These amateur athletes dedicate their time and money to playing the sport they love. (Peninsula Roller Derby members have monthly dues of $50 that support equipment, uniforms and other necessities, but the organization works with individuals who would be hurt by the cost. “We don’t want money to be a barrier to not playing,” he said Ross.)
Interested in joining the fun? Every quarter, Peninsula Roller Derby offers a “learn to skate” session. During these sessions, new skaters learn skills to skate safely and confidently before jumping into contact and derby drills. Keep an eye out for the next session this summer.
If you’d like to learn more, email recruitment@peninsularrollerderby.com, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @peninsularrollerderby, and check out their website, peninsularrollergirls.org. Peninsula Roller Derby is always looking for more skaters, skate officials, off-skate officials and new fans. The next home game will be Sunday, May 26, at the Burlingamer, 1864 Rollins Road in Burlingame.
