Attention roller derby fans! The Paradise Roller Girls are ready to kick off their home season with a “Boom!”
An evening of Hawaii vs. Alaska roller derby action will go down May 5 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with the first game starting at 4 p.m., featuring Kona’s Echo City Knockouts against the Boom Town Derby Dames from Mat-Su Valley, Alaska.
The Paradise Roller Girls then will battle the Derby Dames in the main event at 7:15 p.m. This is the first time the teams have competed against each other and there are sure to be surprises on the track.
Tickets are $5 at the door; admission is free for keiki 5 and younger. Food and drink concessions will be available inside, but no strollers, coolers or beverage containers are permitted. There also will be a Roller Girls merchandise booth and vendors from East Hawaii small businesses.
Earlier in the day, PRG will host its third annual Keiki Koa Junior Derby Throwdown, Hawaii’s only annual junior derby training camp. Children travel from throughout the state to take part in this all-day skate session, learning new skills and strategies while making connections with skaters from other islands.
Participating skaters will compete in a junior derby exhibition game at 6 p.m. The co-ed clinic is open to skaters ages 7-17. For more information, visit Big Island Babes Junior Roller Derby on Facebook at fb.com/bigislandbabes.
Paradise Roller Girls also are continuing their backpack donation drive, collecting new and gently used backpacks, luggage, baby car seats and booster seats to assist Child Welfare Services. The donations will be distributed to foster children in the community to ease transportation of their belongings when moving to a new home. A donation station will be set up at the Civic.
Paradise Roller Girls is a Women’s Flat Track Derby Association-affiliated league based in Hilo and adheres to the association’s rules and regulations. The diverse group of skaters of all ages and backgrounds have developed a camaraderie through the years. Their mission is to promote a healthy and athletic lifestyle through the alternative sport of roller derby.
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On a roll
Paradise Roller Girls are grateful for the community’s support. The league has an open recruitment of skaters, referees, nonskating officials, volunteers, Big Island Babes junior roller derby members, vendor booths and more. Visit or contact:
www.facebook.com/paradiserollergirls
https://instagram.com/paradiserollergirls
paradiserollergirls@gmail.com