Are you dreaming of a much needed change from everyday life and responsibilities? Have you ever wanted to explore your adventurous side and do something a little extreme but you didn’t know what or how? Well, now is your chance to bring yourself back to life!  Smoky Mountain Sk8way, the roller skating rink in Haywood county, is bringing roller derby to the mountains and the masses by providing options to fit a broader audience. This is your opportunity to become a Roller Derby Girl and a fun way to get into shape.

The rink founded Haywood County’s first women’s flat track roller derby team, the Balsam Mountain Roller Girls, in 2011. Along side of the high impact team, the Sk8way is now offering low impact training to Women 18 and above where they will teach the basics of roller skating and roller derby. The low impact team will work on balance, basic skating moves, building  muscles and endurance along with learning the sport of roller derby.

Roller Derby of today is not like that of the 60’s and 70’s where players sprinted around a banked track at breakneck speeds trying to kill one another. Today’s roller derby is a serious sport combining strategy, athleticism and team work. Leagues, both adult and junior, are gaining in popularity as more people (especially girls) want to participate in a team sport but not necessarily the "traditional" sports. The rink has plans to move forward with growing not only women’s, but men’s and junior girls teams in the near future.

Roller Derby is played by two teams of five players. Each team designates one team member as “the jammer” while the other four are called blockers. The game is called a “bout” which is played in 2 periods of 30 minutes. Point scoring occurs during the “jam” that lasts up to two minutes. During a jam, points are scored when a jammer passes members of the opposite team. Each team’s blockers use body contact, changing positions and other tactics to assist it’s jammer to score while hindering the opposing team’s jammer.

While it's a competitive game and a thrill to watch, it's just as much about the community, camaraderie and team spirit as it is about the sport. The Balsam Mountain Roller Girls team currently has women from 18-50 years old from all walks of life; CNAs, stay at home moms, web designers, a Detective, a local OB/GYN practitioner and more. Roller Derby is the fastest growing sport in the World and attracts players of all ages, body types and skill levels. It's also enjoyable for those who don't skate or just want to get in on the action from the side lines. Coaches, referees, stat keepers, event planners, cheerleaders, volunteers, etc. are needed.

The women meet for practice at Smoky Mountain Sk8way every Sunday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30 pm with new members being welcomed on Sundays. Membership fees are $40.00 a month which includes free skating at all public skating sessions for that month. The rink is located at 19025 Great Smoky Mountain Expressway (Bypass between Waynesville and Sylva) next to Waynesville Cycle Center. If you are interested in becoming involved with derby in any way please contact at 828-246-9124 Smoky Mountain Sk8way for more information or visit our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/BalsamMountainRollerGirls

Media Contact: JoLynn Bryant
Smoky Mountain Sk8way
19025 Great Smoky Mountain Expwy
Waynesville, NC 28786
828-246-9124 www.BalsamMountainRollerGirls.com www.Facebook.com/BalsamMountainRollerGirls
www.SmokyMountainSk8way.com
www.Facebook.com/SmokyMountainSk8way