Derby girls finding fun off-season in Lawton Skatepark

Whenever someone new watches the Fort Wayne Derby Girls compete, they are always a little surprised by the intensity, intricacy and speed of a bout. Just like any other big-time athletes, they play hard on every trip around the track.
But now it's the off-season, and the Derby Girls are finding ways to have fun staying sharp. Saturday afternoon they were jumping and racing around the Lawton Skatepark, laughing, trying trick maneuvers and challenging each other while also showcasing their athletic ability and skating grace.
"This really strengthens us in different manners and gives us something to do in the off-season that is fun and outdoors and something new," long-time Derby Girl Jennifer Oetting said. "Once summer hits and it's 100 degrees where we practice, it's always nice to get a little air and a little air."

Oh, yeah, they get up to show off their vertical ability. Saturday was part of "Girls Skate Fort Wayne," a program that started last year to encourage quad skaters (using four wheels) to come out and participate in a relaxed atmosphere.
"The Derby Girls are used to skating on flat ground, not ramps and curves so you have to re-learn it, sort of like relearning walking," said program founder Caitlin Crowley. "We've got people who have been on the Derby Girls for 5, 10 years and this is a new whole new challenge for them. They are used to knocking people over and scoring points on the track, and they are very good at that, but this is a different challenge for a lot of roller skaters. Roller Derby is a very team sport and you have to really work together, but this is a chance to focus on yourself, just you and the bowl."more