June 2018 Skater of the Month

Dana Skull E. #1337
 

As many of you know/despise, I retired my name as The Slamburglar last year. I am a huge X-Files fan and Dana Scully is a smart, bada** woman. 

In addition to retiring my derby name, I also retired from playing jammer (at least for now, the saga may continue). Between the Wreckers and Like OMGs, I play Pivot or Blocker. One of my derby goals is to drink the sweat beads that I've been collecting in a vial from Moose, so that I can increase my backwards blocking agility. Another goal is that one of our home teams takes that shiny home team trophy away from the Rats.

Moose, Terror and Dovah all inspire me which is why I've befriended them (to absorb their powers). Jammers aren't terrified of Moose for no reason and her backwards blocking is a force to be reckoned with. Terror and Dovah play all the positions - more than that, they play all the positions exceptionally well. All three of them really know how to play with a team (no matter what team you see them skating on) and are delightful skaters/teammates/unicorns to be with on the track.

My favorite derby memory was when I was off-skates volunteering at a bout and Spazzy (may he/she/them rest in peace) ran onto the track during a jam. As recently appointed Track Head, there was no existing protocol for "cat on track" so I blissfully watched the madness ensue. 

December 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo By Vegas Shooter

REBELLIOUS MOOSE #64

Moose has been my nickname since middle school. I wanted to keep this name for roller derby since I was already accustomed to responding to it. "Rebellious" is just me being punk-rock.

I am a blocker and occasional pivot. Lately, I have been trying to learn new moves and get out of my comfort zone in order to reach my next derby goal: to make it on Team México for the Roller Derby World Cup next year. It's all I've been thinking about and I want to represent my parents' home country.

I'm inspired seeing everyone's progress on the track. I get so jolly when I see people trying new things then mastering them, whether they're Freshies or OMGs!

My favorite derby memory is the first time I heard the jammer say the words, "Someone, sit on Moose!" It was the first time I ever felt like I was actually playing roller derby effectively.

March 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

KAT VON REAP #607

Tell us about your name.
My nickname has always been Kat and I wanted to incorpoate part of my real name within my derby persona. I'm inspired by the tattoo artist Kat Von D and Reap comes from the Grimm Reaper.

What are your derby goals?
I'm primarily a jammer and I want to become more agile and powerful. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm willing to work! I see these awesome jammers with their fancy footwork, and I'm like "Okay! That's what I want to look like on the track on day!".

What inspires you on the track?
Every time I go to practice or watch a game, someone always does something that inspires me. It can be anywhere from someone getting their 27/5 for the first time to a seasoned skater nailing a crazy apex jump. Each time I see something like that, I'm thankful I got to witness it.

What is your favorite derby memory?
Last November, the Reseda Wreckers were playing against the Balboa Bandits. It was the last jam of the night, I was on the line, and the Wreckers were down by a couple of points. But my team held back the Bandits' jammer and I snuck through the pack -- we ended up winning by three points!! That was such an adrenaline rush since it was the Wreckers' first win as a new team

October 2016 Skater of the Month

AMERICANHURL DOLL
#83

Tell us about your name.
I chose my name because it was a play on those super expensive American Girl dolls that my daughter was obsessed with at the time I joined the league. She had three of them, collected all the accessories she could afford and even had a birthday party at the store (which was pretty awesome, actually). I usually go by Hurlie. :-)

What’s your favorite derby position?
I'm a jammer and  I find it equal parts exhausting and terrifying. The adrenaline rush I get when I'm doing good things out there definitely outweighs the fear. I'm pretty fast and agile on my feet so it's natural for me to try to get through the pack and get those points, but in the beginning I couldn't go 10 feet without getting a forearm penalty or back block. 

Who inspires you on the track?
I'm in awe of many derby rockstars like Scald Eagle, Suzy Hotrod, Demanda Riot, and Quadzilla because of their amazing skills, talent, and longevity in this sport but I am mostly inspired by my fellow OMG teammates. I learned everything about playing roller derby from them. I still look to them for guidance and advice, and every one gives tough love (like REALLY tough love). They keep me inspired and eager to keep learning, playing, and improving.

What is your favorite derby memory?
In less than three years of skating I still have way too many to name just one! Some of my fondest memories are playing in two Freshie bouts, attending Rollercon in Vegas (where I got derby married to my wives, Agony Christie and Reapa Slayworth), traveling to tournaments with the Wipe Outs and LikeOMGs with all the team-bonding mischief. Most recently, our league trip to Catalina and getting to be featured in a magazine with my teammates were the standouts for sure! 

July 2016 Skater of the Month

PhDIABLA #310

Tell us about your name.
I've loved skating since I was a kid, and my parents used to say that I looked like a "diabla" (devil) on wheels because I was pretty fearless, or perhaps reckless, on my skates. And the "PhD" part is motivation for finishing my dissertation -- who wants to change their derby name because they didn't graduate? Psshhh -- not this gal!

What’s your favorite derby position?
Blocking - hands (or forearms and elbows) down!

Who and what inspires you on the track?
In all things, I am driven by the desire to be better than I was yesterday! Nothing bums me out more than stagnation and complacency, so I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and to be a part of my team's improvement. Play hard, stay humble!

In life -- my parents. They've worked so hard to give me so many opportunities. I always work to be the best version of myself to make them proud. And my husband, who inspires me to keep trying different possibilities when something doesn't quite work out the way I'd hoped.

And in derby -- my teammates on the Like OMGs constantly motivate me by bringing 110% to the track. And I'm convinced Killo Kitty can accomplish anything she sets out to do; if she wants something that doesn't exist yet, she'll just go out and create it! My home team, the Balboa Bandits, inspire me to be better by believing and trusting in me as their captain, and they constantly remind me that derby is, above all things, fun! 

What is your favorite derby memory?
Traveling to New Orleans with the Like OMGs this past February. I got to share my favorite city with my teammates and we came home with two hard fought wins! Team bonding and great derby -- what more could I possibly ask for?

When you're not on the track, where can we find you? 
I'm a history buff, so you can find me in an archive, visiting historic sites, volunteering for the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, and occasionally at my desk and working on my dissertation. Otherwise, you can catch me reading or making some kind of ambitious travel plans.

Photo by Jon Cobb

Photo by Chuck Gay Photography

February 2016 Skater of the Month

BEAT-HER PAN
#5391

Tell us about your name. 
I am obsessed with anything Peter Pan. I have always identified with the character, not just the Disney version but the original as well. I always try to approach any new adventure or situation with child-like wonder and optimism, and I hope to always stay in touch with my inner child.

What’s your favorite derby position?
Jammer! But I've been trying really hard to be a better blocker.

Who are your derby inspirations?
Who to talk about first!? My boyfriend Jay is always proud of me when I play well and encouraging when I don't. Tokyo Takeout has been a strong motivating force for me since I started  -- always there to push me harder and to yell "DON'T TAKE THE MIDDLE!!" and "GET LOWER!!"  Twiggy Bones is not only the kind of jammer I aspire to be, but she's also been a huge help with my mental game. I still use her technique of focusing on how I want to skate and repeating it to myself before every game: "I am aggressive, I am mean, and I f*** s*** up!!"

What is your favorite derby memory?
I think one of my favorite derby memories was at one of our Wipeout games. I was jamming and I was about to beat my record for most points in one jam and from the crowd I hear a bunch of SFV skaters and supporters yelling "RU-FI-OOOOOOO!" and it really made me feel good. 

Photo by Con Jobb

August 2015 Skater of the Month

Photo by Matthew Becker Photography

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
#38

Tell us about your name.
I'm really not very clever or "punny" in general, so coming up with a good derby name was a little difficult. My first ever bout was just two weeks away (yeah, I know. Crazy), so I needed to pick something quick. Not sure how or why I came up with Saturday Night Special, but it grew on me. I like to think my derby name found me. 

What position do you like to play?
There's no better feeling than launching a jammer off the track and recycling her back over and over, knowing you're completely ruining her day. Okay, so maybe I'm a little twisted, but it works. 

What inspires you?
As corny as it may sound, my teammates and league mates inspire me, even the freshies. I want to be the best I can be not only for myself, but for my team,and my league. My success is their success, and vice versa. 

What is your favorite derby memory so far?
After playing derby for close to six years, I have many wonderful memories and experiences, but my fondest with SFV was our trip to Australia for The Bont Invitational. Because of SFV and the OMGs, I had the incredible opportunity to play roller derby in a beautiful far away land with some of my favorite people. It was a once in a life time experience I will cherish always.

May 2015 Skater of the Month

CLEO-PASSYA
#30BC
 

Photo by David Costa Photography

Tell us about your name
The funny thing about derby names is you're told to pick a name when you're going through Fresh Meat and you don't really know how important your name is. When I started derby, I wanted to be a jammer and I wanted my name to represent a strong historical female figure. So why not the most famous female ruler and seductress in history, Cleopatra? As I started to play derby, I realized I'm a stronger blocker and sometimes I think I should have gone with "Cleo-blocksya". But it's never too late! You all may see me more and more on the jam line with that star panty on. 

What’s your favorite derby position?
Seriously, I just love to play! I'm stronger at blocking, but love jamming, too.  I'll play what ever position gets thrown at me. 

What inspires you on the track?
I have always roller skated, as a teen at Skateland, as an adult around Balboa Park for exercise. I know this is cliche, but I took my kids to see Whip it and I was like "I want to do that!" Unfortunately, it wasn't until years later that my friend Alicia took me to my First Date with SFV Roller Derby. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
Nothing beats traveling to Australia with the Like OMGs. NOTHING.

Any pre-bout rituals?
I find if I watch a little derby before a game, it gets my head in the game -- I start thinking about all the tools I have and how and when to use them.