In July 2006, a unique scene unfolded at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, where an impromptu roller derby track became the backdrop for fierce competition.
Competitors clad in shiny red bodysuits and G.I. Jane-inspired tank tops, with some donning Luchador masks, battled it out under the sweltering sun.
Ivanna S. Pankin, known off the track as Denise Grimes, recalls, “It was crazy, because people would just walk across the track. Like, drunk people would just stumble across the track.”
Despite the chaotic environment, Pankin noted, “We only actually ever had one person break their ankle out there. We all consider that to be, like, a real triumph.”
This spirited event marked year two of RollerCon, the premier roller skating convention that Grimes co-founded with her friend Trish the Dish.
What began as a modest gathering has evolved into the biggest roller skating event in America, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with thousands of participants from across the globe.
Kicking off at the Expo at the World Market Center, RollerCon spans five days filled with seminars, classes, scrimmages, bouts, and a plethora of activities designed to highlight various aspects of roller skating culture.
Aylin Woodward, better known as Yeti, expresses the sentiments of many in the roller skating community: “For the roller skating community, RollerCon is basically the biggest party of the year.
But it’s not just about partying; it’s like the biggest mind meld we have every year. People come from Europe, Australia, and converge in Vegas to teach and play together, reminding each other that roller derby can still be enjoyable amidst the competitive season.”
Grimes highlights the physical nature of roller derby, stating, “It’s really fun to hit people.
That’s not a thing that very many women know, because we just don’t have a lot of contact sports.
The physicality of it has dramatically changed everything about my life — and probably ever will be.”
Roller derby has been a critical outlet for women since its inception in the 1930s, allowing them to experience excitement and camaraderie through full-contact team competition.
Grimes discovered roller derby in the early 2000s through a zine unexpectedly named Roller Derby, which lit her spark for the sport.
After relocating to Arizona, she ambitiously founded her own roller derby team, thinking, “How hard could it be? I’ll just start a roller derby team.
And so I did, and it kind of ballooned from there. We ended up starting two teams because we didn’t have anyone to play.
We drew inspiration from an old program from the ’60s to help us establish rules.”
Remarkably, Grimes experienced a dimension of womanhood that she hadn’t encountered before, stating, “Roller derby was the first opportunity I really had to spend a lot of time with women.
The punk rock scene I was part of was predominantly male, and so coming together with strong women led to collaborations and conflicts that I completely embraced from day one.”
The initial gathering of RollerCon in 2005 was organized after Grimes connected with other diehard enthusiasts online, leading to a low-key affair filled with pool parties and scrimmages in extreme heat.
A few years later, the event has multiplied in size and impact, changing venues multiple times before settling in 2023 at the World Market Center, which accommodates multiple tracks and a large vendor area.
While roller derby remains the heart of RollerCon, the event has morphed to include all styles of roller skating, from dance to stunt skating, welcoming both veterans and newcomers alike.
One of Grimes’s primary goals is maintaining an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes participants regardless of their experience.
“We have this framework for people who don’t know anything about anything.
You can learn how to skate at RollerCon.
No need to arrive already familiar with roller derby; there are many other forms of skating as well.
It’s about taking away the intimidation factor,” Grimes explains.
Even with the thrill of roller skating, many potential skaters feel anxious stepping into a skate park for the first time.
Grimes acknowledges, “It’s really hard for people to just go to the skate park on roller skates and figure it out, because they don’t know any of the etiquette.
They would have to approach a bunch of teenage boys and compete for a turn, which can be intimidating for adult women.
Thus, we established a skate park at RollerCon, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and unbothered.
It’s about learning safely in this environment, which significantly eases their nerves.”
Since 2007, skate park tours have been facilitated by Las Vegan Jay the Roller Skater, known as Jason Cloetens.
He echoes Grimes’s sentiments regarding community, asserting, “The community aspect has drawn me to RollerCon from the start.
It’s an inclusive haven where we share our obsession for skating — whether it’s derby skating, park skating, or jam skating.
We love what we do and enjoy witnessing others find joy in their passion too.”
As RollerCon celebrates its two-decade milestone, Grimes emphasizes that despite the growth, the core mission remains unchanged.
“The people coming to RollerCon are networking and forming lifelong connections.
They’re gaining skills, whether directly related to skating or more organizational skills, enabling them to be part of something bigger and meaningful.
So much of what we’ve learned about conventions was shaped back when we were dodging tourists in 2005.
The most important takeaway from RollerCon is the connections people forge with one another.”
For those interested in experiencing RollerCon firsthand, the event will take place from July 9 to 13 at the World Market Center and throughout downtown Las Vegas.
Various admission options are available: an off-skates pass for non-participating guests at $272, a skater pass at $355.50, and an MVP pass, which includes training, priced at $428.63.
There’s also an off-skates children’s pass available for the same price of $272.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit rollercon.com.
image source from：neon
