Roller derby coming to Baqara Skate this weekend

Roller derby is coming to Baqara Skate this weekend.

Skunk River Riot, a women’s roller derby team based out of Ames, is hosting a bout against Wisconsin United Roller Derby at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Newton skating venue.

“This will be our first time playing at this facility and we are looking forward to some of the added benefits of it such as proper concessions, better view of the action and, for the first time, a full bar will be available,” Skunk River Riot team member Janine Tellinghuisen said.

Skunk River Riot started in Ames. Founding member Mindy Kimball-Garritson worked at a facility in Ames that had a small gym. The team called United Community School home from 2014-18 and currently uses Ogden’s Spinning Wheels as their practice facility.

Tellinghuisen said Clinton Webster of Baqara Skate reached out to Skunk River Riot, asking the team to bring roller derby to his venue in Newton.

“It is rare that doors open for us and opportunities like this come around,” Tellinghuisen said. “So we rallied a few teammates and visited their rink. We determined it would be a great place to host a bout.”

The Boone National Guard Armory was the first place to allow Skunk River Riot to host a home bout and that was a few years back.

“We absolutely hope to play future bouts at Baqara,” Tellinghuisen said. “We’ll see how this first time goes. We are a bit nervous to try a new location but also excited and see the potential.”

Saturday’s bout will be against a co-ed roller derby team. It is the first time Skunk River Riot will play a co-ed team. Tellinghuisen said you have to be 18-years-old and have personal health insurance to play.

Tellinghuisen said Aaren Sorbo is the only player on the team who grew up in Newton. Sorbo no longer lives in Newton though.

“Roller derby is predominantly a women’s sport, but we lke to keep an open mind and try new teams,” said Tellinghuisen, who is the oldest member of Skunk River Riot at 44.

An email, social media message and phone call to Baqara Skate were not returned before presstime. But according to the Baqara Skate Facebook page, tickets to the bout are $13 at the door.

Doors open at 5 p.m. Action begins at 7 p.m. and there will be an after party following the conclusion of the bout.