Meet local roller girls at 'Whip It' opening

DESTIN, FL — Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut about a Texas roller derby team is close to home for a group of local women.

The Beach Brawl SK8R Dolls are teaming up with Rave Motion Pictures to give area movie fans a chance to meet and take pictures with their hometown roller derby league. The SK8R Dolls will be wheeling around the movie theater at Friday night’s opening of “Whip It.”

Backed by grassroots leagues around the country, “Whip It.” has been touted by skaters and referees as a pretty accurate behind-the-scenes look at derby life.

Made up of both single and married women, stay-at-home moms, ladies in the medical field, women in the military, writers, photographers and students, the local group is like many derby leagues — an organization made up of women from all walks of life.

While some derby leagues have created a money-making business out of roller derby, the SK8R Dolls are a charity-based group. The league has founded a scholarship fund, raised money for Habitat for Humanity, Children in Crisis, Relay for Life and many other area groups. All proceeds beyond what it costs to host local bouts and travel are given back to local women's and children's charities.

Meet the SK8R Dolls beginning at the 7:20 p.m. showing of “Whip It.” at Rave Motion Pictures in Destin Commons on Friday. The SK8R Dolls will be present at all Friday evening viewings with fun giveaways. A limited number of SK8R Dolls will also be present at Saturday evening show times.