Photos by Matt Filar – Roller derby returns to the Redwood Acres this weekend.

The Humboldt Roller Derby opens the 2019 season with two matches at the Redwood Acres on Saturday night.

The doubleheader, one of six scheduled for this year, will feature the North Jetty Bettys against the Widow Makers, and Root Force against Sis-Q Rollerz.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with the action getting under way at 6 p.m.

Humboldt Roller Derby has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years and has built a substantial local following since its inception in 2008.

Last season, the club’s charter team, the Redwood Rollers, rose more than 50 places in the international rankings.

In the most recent Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rankings, Humboldt Roller Derby is now ranked No. 116 out of 352 teams, the 29th best ranking in the North America West region.

Last year, the Rollers took first place at both the Dustbowl Tournament in Bakersfield and the Battle by the Border Tournament in British Columbia, as well as winning four out of five home games.

This year, in addition to six scheduled home events, the Redwood Rollers will travel to compete at the Dust Devil Tournament in Tucson in March and the Deep Blue Derby Tournament in Truckee in September.

Both of these tournaments will offer HRD an opportunity to scale the official rankings.

The home events in 2019 will feature teams from San Fernando Valley, Sonoma County and Visalia, among others.

There will be one home event each month through April, before resuming again in September.

There will also be a free official scrimmage featuring the club’s newest skaters on February 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Redwood Acres.

Kids under 10 are always free. 

Tickets are available in advance at Wildberries, The Works and People’s Records or at brownpapertickets.com. They can be purchased at the door. 

###

Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.