They say the best road trips start with a plan. We… did not have one of those. But what we did have was a Honda Element packed with snacks, a playlist of audiobooks on Libby for that sweet road trip vibe, and a destination: Thibodaux, Louisiana, for the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown roller derby tournament. Early Wednesday evening, I pointed the Element south and hit the gas, leaving Nashville in the rearview mirror.
The Journey South
The drive was a classic mix of good intentions and poor timing. We intended to leave at 2 PM, but errands pushed our departure to 5 PM. That meant we rolled into the team camp at 2:30 AM—long after everyone else had arrived and gone to sleep. Pro tip: caffeine after 8 p.m. is not for the faint of heart. As we crossed into Louisiana, the familiar sights of the bayou began to appear—even in the dark, there’s something about those moss-draped trees that feels like a warm, swampy hug.
Home on the Bayou
For me, the bayou isn’t just a scenic stretch of land—it’s home. I grew up in South Louisiana and know this area well. There’s a comforting familiarity to the winding roads, the sounds of cicadas, and the smell of a good roux simmering somewhere nearby. Coming back here always feels like slipping into a favorite pair of well-worn skates.
Capturing Memories in Film
Did I bring a camera? Of course I did: my Canon AE-1. It’s the kind of camera that makes you slow down and actually think about your shots, which is probably a good thing when you’re running on caffeine and derby adrenaline. I brought along two rolls of film—Kodak TRI-X 400 and Holga 400 (rebranded Foma Action 400). The lighting in the venue was, predictably, a challenge (auditorium lighting: a crime against photography), but hey, imperfections are part of the charm. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself when I inevitably forget to adjust my settings.
The Thrill of the Tournament
When I wasn’t behind the mic announcing or fumbling with my camera’s settings, I was soaking in the sheer energy of the tournament. The Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown is one of those events that reminds you why you fell in love with derby in the first place. The crowd was loud, the hits were harder, and the vibe? Pure joy.
This was my second year announcing at Y’Allstars, and I plan to make this tournament every year that I can. I enjoy watching the variety of talent on the borderless and collective teams and the top-level skaters of the regional all-star teams. It’s a great way to kick off the yearly derby season.
I also got to reconnect with so many old derby friends and made new friends from all over. One of the best things about roller derby is the community—it doesn’t matter where you go; if there’s derby, there’s family.
As far as games go, Trans Rollers United lost their first game against Villain Era Roller Derby on Friday (truly, in their Villain Era 😂) but won their game against Team Pennsylvania on Saturday, 149-148, placing TRU at third place in the open division. An official review as the game clock ticked to zero had everyone on the edge of their seat, but we prevailed. It was a moment of pure trans joy.
Yes, I Have New Ink
One of the Trans Rollers United skaters was set up on the mezzanine giving flash tattoos and I couldn’t resist. I walked away from this trip with not one, but two new tattoos. Now, I’ve got a mandala made up of fleurs-de-lis (the Y’Allstars logo) on my right arm and a roller derby track on my left arm. It’s a permanent reminder of an unforgettable weekend down on the bayou.
I’ve always wanted a fleur-de-lis tattoo to represent my home state, but I didn’t want just a plain fleur-de-lis. I love the design of the mandala, and the second I saw it, I knew it was the tattoo I wanted to represent Louisiana. And it even incorporates a skate wheel in the middle!
Exploring Thibodaux
Thibodaux itself is a gem of a town. There’s a quiet charm to the place, from its historic downtown to the little diners serving up gumbo that’ll make you question every other soup you’ve ever had. (“Soup?”—Saint Zatarain, have mercy on my soul!)
While Thibodaux doesn’t have Café Du Monde or Commander’s Palace like New Orleans, an hour and a half northeast, there are plenty of options for Cajun fare, and you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose.
For my particular gumbo fix, I took a short walk up North Canal from Harang Auditorium, where the tournament was happening, to Off the Hook. It’s a small local chain, and the gumbo (and the po’boy, and the red beans and rice) was cromulent.
I also had beignets—gay little donuts dusted in a generous heap of powdered sugar—from PJ’s Coffee. Beignets are a staple of Louisiana cuisine and a guaranteed way to make a mess of your clothes.
Just in time for Mardi Gras season, I also had king cake donuts from Mr. Ronnie’s Donuts in Houma. Because if there’s one thing better than king cake, it’s king cake in donut form. (Not to be confused with the donut in king cake form from Meche’s Donut King in nearby Lafayette. I’m not hating, but yeah, Meche’s king cake is one giant donut.)
Out on the Bayou
Thibodaux is a smaller city in Louisiana, and like many small towns, the LGBTQIA+ scene may not be as prominent or visible as in larger metropolitan areas. However, Louisiana as a whole has made strides in LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, with larger cities like New Orleans being widely known for their vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and events. In more rural or small-town areas like Thibodaux, attitudes and levels of inclusivity can vary depending on the individual community.
Local LGBTQIA+ groups or events might not be as common, but you may find welcoming spaces in nearby cities or larger towns. If you’re considering visiting or living in Thibodaux, it could be helpful to connect with local LGBTQIA+ organizations like the Gulf South LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce or groups to get a better sense of the community’s dynamics.
Wrapping Up the Weekend
By the time the weekend wrapped up, I was equal parts exhausted and exhilarated. Driving back to Nashville, I couldn’t help but feel grateful—for the sport, the people, and the moments that make you pause, even on a chaotic weekend, to say, “Yeah, this is pretty damn cool.”
Stay tuned for the photos—I’ll be sharing them once I get the film developed. Here’s hoping at least one of them turns out in focus.