Behind the wheel — Roller derby makes women feel tough, sexy, empowered

"I wanted to pick a name (first) because I think it gave me a little more confidence," said Ashley Moosman, 26, who recently made the squads after the July 28 tryout. "I'm very excited. ... I think my name will be Ashes to Ashes, but there is a derby registry. I didn't know that, but there is."

She said she admires the women who've built the league from the ground up so women like her can hop on board.

"It's fun to see the people who have the ambition to actually do something like this," said the interior designer.

Why choose roller derby when searching for a hobby?

"I've always loved skating," Moosman said. "But I didn't play sports, and I probably haven't been on skates since I was a teenager.

"I just really wanted to challenge myself," Moosman said. She got the call a day after the tryouts and said she was thrilled. She showed up at practice just to watch her future teammates scrimmage.

"It was really nerve-racking waiting for that call," she said. "But I made it. Now I'll go from there."

There are various levels of competition for those who make one of Salt City's four teams. They skate against each other in scrimmages at Taylorsville Recreation Center and also in regular bouts at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns.

In addition to that, there is an all-star team, the Shakers, which skates against teams from around the country. Bliss is on that squad, which will square off against Colorado's Pikes Peak Derby Dames on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Oval.

The bouts attract standing-room-only crowds, and the Salt City Derby Girls sell T-shirts and other souvenirs, as well as concessions. There is even a party bus that picks fans up at a downtown bar and drives them to and from the bout. The crowds range from families and friends of the skaters to fans of the sport, which really is an experience unlike any other.

The bouts, even the scrimmages, feature announcers Lulu Garou and Johnny Crass. They began announcing for the league when their friend, Brew HaHa, who skates for the Sisters of No Mercy and the Shakers, asked them if they'd be interested.

Garou said they had voice skills and equipment so they jumped on board. Crass said his most important qualification for the job was, "I am a loud-mouthed -----."

The duo see the job as part promotion — it is still a growing endeavor; part explanation — many people in the crowd don't know the rules of roller derby; and entertainment — they provide the comic relief when tempers start to flair.

"I'm the good guy," explains Garou. There isn't really play-by-play calling, as both announcers are careful not to give away floor positions to players in the bout.