November 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name
I used to go by Tankgrrrl. I changed it because I didn't feel like the name fit me anymore. I like to think that I've grown as a person and a skater, so the change just felt right. I was driving back from practice one night, listening to Lana Del Rey's album Born to Die, and the name just popped into my head.

What are your derby goals?
My goals are to be on a WFTDA charter team and play derby in another country.

Who/what inspires you on the track?
My skate mentors, TerribleTues and Michael, both put so much time and effort into teaching me, so I really just want to make them proud. When I started this whole derby thing, it took me weeks before I could even stand on my skates for more than a few seconds. As tiring as I know it was to watch, they never gave up on me. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
After tryouts earlier this year, I felt like a failure. My goal was to make it to the Wipeouts, but I honestly thought I was going to be booted from the subpool completely. Then I got the notice a few days later that I made my goal! I made Wipeout!! I was super jazzed about it, then, a week later, I broke my arm and couldn't skate. So it was a rocky start to the year, to say the least.

Since then, I have played in more games than I think I ever have before, made awesome and amazing friends, reached countless goals I had set for myself, and even played in a tournament on the other side of the country. I've played for several teams and leagues since I started skating and never have I felt more part of a team, or more at home, than with the Wipeouts.

LANA DEL DEATHRAY
#95

Photo by Down'n'Out Photography

September 2017 Skater of the Month

MISFORTUNE COOKIE
#247

Tell us about your name.
My profession leaves me with zero ounce of creativity so I used one of my three lifelines and Called A Friend. All the credit belongs to her for my derby name. 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals? 
I'm a blocker. It is such a dynamic position. You have to know where everyone is and try to anticipate where the jammer is heading to cut her off at the pass and simultaneously know where your jammer is and determine if and when help is needed. It really is all about timing. And it's fun to hit your friends and laugh about it. I'm working towards being a pivot because it requires so much mental agility, switching from defense to offense at the drop of a dime. I really just want to be a jammer's worst nightmare. 

Who inspires you on the track? 
Earlier this year, I was getting discouraged with derby and with having suffered an injury early in the season. I came back to derby a couple of months ago and ever since making the Wipe Outs, Derp has helped to reinvigorate my love of derby. Her leadership and care has really brought me back to center. I couldn't have wished for a better team Captain.  

What is your favorite derby memory? 
So many memories that brings a smile to my RBF. The one that stand out the most has to be when I passed my laps during WFTDA assessments. The weeks leading up to it, I had fallen at least once during my laps like clockwork. This weighed on my mind as I was skating those dreaded 5 minutes. But in the end, I finished my laps and DIDN'T fall! It was amazing. Playing with the Ghoul Scouts in one of the Freshie bouts showed me the love the derby community has for each other. My teammates were amazing. The coaches (Stockholm and Maya) were nurturing yet knowing when to push each and every one of us. Oh and winning in the last jam by 3 points didn't hurt either! I can't wait to add more wonderful memories as I continue my derby journey.

May 2017 Skater of the Month

HAVANA CLUBYA
#98

Tell us about your name
I'm first generation Cuban and wanted to pay homage to my heritage. Havana Club is the national rum of Cuba and La Giraldilla is plastered on every bottle, bus, and newspaper in Cuba. It's even permanently inked on my arm! 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals?
Blocker. The only goal I have is to hit people. 

What inspires you on the track?
Bruises are the only inspiration I need. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
I have a permanent memory burn from when Krissy Krash gave me a peg-assist off the jam line in a scrimmage. The pack watches in awe as I glided to new heights. I believed I could have touched the sky.  I think about it every night and day. Oh, to spread my wings and fly away again.

December 2016 Skater of the Month

HARDLEE ANN ANGEL
#9452

Who are you?
I'm a blocker!  I love the challenge of not allowing anyone to get by me. But now, I’m also a trainer, helping teach the Fresh Meat to skate and scrimmage, both the adults and juniors. 

Tell us about your name.
Appearances are deceiving. I'm always teased about looking quiet and sweet, but in reality my halo is held up by devil horns! 😈😈😈 My number represents my dad's birthdate who died of cancer but I know he's always with me when I'm skating. 

Who is your derby inspiration?
Moose always inspires me to be better. From the very beginning, her voice is a voice I could hear above all the others. She has been such a rock whenever I've needed support and encouragement. Moose knows exactly how much to push a person to reach their limits and she never lets you give up.

What’s your favorite derby memory?
My very first advanced scrimmage, I got teamed up with Saturday and Legs and —WOW! — the communication between those two!  They told me exactly where to go, what to do, when they were going to throw me into the jammer … all the while, I somehow managed to stay on my skates and keep up. It was such a great feeling of accomplishment and teamwork.  

November 2016 Skater of the Month

Photo by Vegas Shooter Photography

TARASCAN TERROR #7

Tell us about your name
The Tarascan empire is a lesser-known civilization in Western Mexico that existed during the same time as the Aztecs. The Aztecs tried to conquer the Tarascan empire many times but failed due to Tarascans being masters of metallurgy.

I studied Anthropology/ Archaeology in college and thought that the Tarascan empire was the most underrated and badass civilization, so I decided to incorporate them into my derby name.

What position do you play?
I’m primarily a jammer, but I want to be a versatile player that my team can use at any position so I’m always working on my blocking skills. 

Who inspires you on the track?
My dad. He was always into sports and he would have really enjoyed watching me play a contact sport.

What is your favorite derby memory?
My favorite derby memory is playing Sin City with The Wipeouts this year. Nothing’s better than feeling in sync with your team!

August 2016 Skater of the Month

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

PINK A SASSIN
#AR-15

Tell us about your name.
Pink represents feminine power and Assassin because we can attack when least expected. Perfect for roller derby. 

What’s your favorite derby position? 
Jamming!

Who inspires you on the track?
Atomic. Not only her incredible physical strength and skills, but for all she has overcome in her life. She uses her experiences to help others find the strength within themselves.

When you're not on the track, where can we find you?
Toting around my two young daughters, working, the beach, acting a fool with my friends. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
Too many to list! Skating with the OMGs at Dustbowl, playing a bank track game with the Wipeouts, so many parties at Cleo's  ...

Derby has been one of greatest times of my life and I am so grateful for the memories and skills it has given me!

March 2016 Skater of the Month

LITTLE EARTHQUAKE
#29

Tell us about your name.
My derby name comes from "Little Earthquakes" which is the title to an album and song by Tori Amos whose been a huge influence.  I think the song itself mirrors derby.  There are many moving parts that can completely tear us down if we let it, but we persevere and sometimes laugh in the wake of destruction.  There's something almost masochistic about derby, but it shows us a lot about ourselves, and it sure is fun!  My derby name reminds me to always be me no matter what and that "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."  Even a Little Earthquake can shake things up a bit!

What’s your favorite derby position?
Jamming and I have a rough relationship sometimes, but it's my favorite position because it really pushes me.  It activates a hungry, little beast in me which I like.  To be tenacious and break through a tough wall is exhilarating.  Even if I don't break through, knowing I gave it my best matters and makes me want to try harder the next time.  All of the things that go into one jam is pretty intense.  "A jammer defies the odds," as Twiggy once told me.  I like to keep those words in my back booty-shorts pocket while I jam.  Thanks, Twiggy!

Who/what inspires you on the track?
EVERY.  SINGLE.  LEAGUEMATE.  I learn from everyone that I watch and play with - my trainers, my teammates, and especially the juniors.  Those littles are fearless and can teach us all a thing or two!  SFVRD, in general, is inspiring. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
There are SO MANY, but here are 3: 

1. During a juniors practice, I worked one-on-one with a new skater who was having a really rough time and spent the first half of practice in tears wanting to quit.  By the end I had her skating on her own and laughing.  It brought me so much joy to have that type of an impact on someone.

2. I got voted as co-captain for one of our freshie expo teams, The Astronaughties, which was a huge honor.  During that bout, I got launched off my skates and into the air to where I felt like I needed a parachute before slow-motion landing in the center of the track.  I really wish I knew who hit me.  It was epic!

3)  On my very first outdoor skate with a couple of our league sisters, I skated with my derby wife for the first time (before she was my wifey, of course).  She showed up in a Wonder Woman outfit and cape and I thought, "Who the heck is this chick??" It was derby love at first sight.

What are you?
A little dweeb with a big heart who will always bleed blue and green.

January 2016 Skater of the Month

Chuck Gay Photography

SMUTELLA
#850

My name came from my love for Nutella (because I have the biggest sweet-tooth ever), but then I wanted to show my dirty side -- hence "Smutella"! 

I usually play as a jammer and I love it so much! It's weird but I kinda enjoy feeling totally scared and intimidated before jamming, and then just throwing myself out there because I know I'm going to survive it one way or another.

My main goal in derby for 2016 is to improve on my mental game. So much of jamming is all mental and if you don't center yourself, you can't perform well.  

Honestly, Twiggy has inspired me so much on the track. I was always under the impression that I needed to be bigger to be good at roller derby, but then I saw Twiggy kicking ass, quickly juking all around, and squeezing into small holes. I wanted to be just like her!

That actually ties in to one of my favorite derby memories. When I was still a freshie, I stayed to watch as the advanced skaters started warming up on the track and I was completely entranced. They all looked like giants to me, skating so fast and confidently, and I thought I would never get to that level. It wasn't until I looked closer at each skater that I noticed they were all so different -- tall, short, wide, narrow, and everything in between. I realized I had a place here, in this sport, and so many others do too, but they just don't know it yet.