Traditionally, roller derby is played in roller rinks with wood or sport court surfaces.

However, the Danielle Shipley Memorial Arena in Westminster has an all-concrete grooved floor, providing a challenge for skaters.

"It's not really the strategy as it is the proper equipment," said organizer Jeff "Homescar Runner" Tomhave.

"You have to have the proper wheels for it. The more unforgiving the surface, the harder your wheels have to be."

His wife, Brandy "Marzipain" Tomhave, said games will have to be played in a certain direction in the arena because of its configuration for spectators. That means everyone will be skating against the grain of the grooves.

The team hopes proceeds from the home series at Shipley will help raise money to purchase a banked-track for the league. But for now, it's a concrete jungle.

As she scouted the conditions of the court, Marzipain made sure her team didn't use the challenge as an excuse.

"Everybody's going to be skating on the same floor," she said.

Plus, in the end, the floors don't matter, Homescar Runner said.

"I skated on all kinds of floors," he said. "They all hurt when you fall."

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