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

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.

December 2015 Skater of the Month

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

KAIJU KIRA
#0813

I'm KAIJU. Hear me RAWR.

I noticed I needed a physical outlet for the increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression I was feeling from my job. Having tried (and failed) at roller derby before, I googled leagues near my apartment, saw there was a First Date in two weeks with SFV, and signed up! All the skaters with their support & encouragement on and off the track gave me the strength to quit my job and focus full time on drawing comics.

My number came before I even chose a derby name. I wanted a number that was important to me and also kind of nerdy, and in August of 2013, I was the first in my family to graduate from college. Now for the nerdy part which goes with the name: August 2013 is also when the Kaiju attacked San Francisco in Guillermo Del Toro's movie Pacific Rim. I took it as a sign and went with the name KAIJU (pronounced kai-jū) , which is the Japanese word for "strange beast." Kaiju are hostile, fearless, giant monsters meant to destroy all mankind, and that's what I want to be every time I hit the track. 

I hope she doesn't think I'm weird for saying this, but Sleaze is my biggest derby inspiration. She's a beast of a skater and has really helped me the most during Fresh Meat and my first scrimmage practices.

Off the track, I'm just your friendly neighborhood comic shop babe at Earth-2 Comics, but you can also find me in my studio writing and drawing my own comics, getting ready to pitch them next year. And yes, one of them is totally about rad derby girls based off SFV!

November 2015 Skater of the Month

DOVAHKILL
#1111

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

Hello, my name is Dovahkill and I'm addicted to roller derby.

Last year I spent most of my time on the disabled list sitting on the sidelines. I had surgery on my knee and it was kind of sucky. Instead of withdrawing myself from derby because I could not play, I immersed myself even deeper into the derby world!! There is so much to do and learn about this sport without even participating in the hitting aspect, but boy do I enjoy that part!! I started training fresh meat, juniors, and became Head NSO of the league. Once I was able to get back on skates, I had gained so much knowledge from training others and officiating every game, that I came back a smarter and stronger player.

Although surgery was unpleasant, I really appreciate what I learned in that recovery time and would never give that up. At times it can be tiring to have so many responsibilities, but I am so honored to be able to train juniors, fresh meat, and non-skating officials that I wouldn't have it any other way. When they tell me things like I'm their favorite or I inspire them in some way, my heart gets all fluttery. I couldn't do any of these things without all the amazingly strong, supportive, and inspirational women and men in this league. Nothing really compares to the feeling of knowing you have like 100 friends that would do just about anything for you.

I am Dovahkill and I am SFVRD!!!

Junior Skater of the Month November 2015

GOLDIE ROX
#03

What is your skate name & number and how old are you?
Goldie Rox, #03, 8-years old.

How did you choose your derby name and number?
IDK I just kept trying to think of one and Goldie Rox just stuck.

How long have you been skating?
About 4 months.
 
How did you start playing roller derby?
My sister, me, and my dad were riding scooters and bikes over to watch the big girls skate and they told us about the Jrs. and we have been there since. 
 
Do you have any hobbies in addition to playing roller derby?
Skateboarding and dance class. 

What position do you play or enjoy the most?
I like to be the Jammer. 

What do you love best about roller derby? 
Skating with my friends. 
 
What do your school friends and family think of you playing roller derby?
They all think it’s pretty awesome.

What would you tell other girls/kids if they asked you about roller derby? 
I would tell them they need to come skate.

Have you travelled anywhere fun or far away to play with your team?
No, not yet, but I am looking forward to.

Junior Skater of the Month October 2015

HITALIAN GRRL
#873

How did you choose your derby name and number?
My derby name just came to me one night riding home from my Grandpa's house. He's Italian and just got back from a trip to Italy visiting relatives. My number is part of my Birthday. 

How long have you been skating?
I've been skating with the Jrs since June, but I skated on inline skates for a year before joining roller derby. 

How did you start playing roller derby?
My Mom joined and talks about it all the time. She had me go to a practice to check it out. 

Do you have any hobbies in addition to playing roller derby?
I like to sing and play with my cat. I also play volleyball for my school. 

What do you love best about roller derby? Most fun memory?
I like to slamming into people. I love derby cause I can slam into people without getting into trouble. So far my favorite memory is going to the track for the first time and helping everyone put down the rope and tape it to the track. That was the first time I saw roller derby live. 

What do your school friends and family think of you playing roller derby?
My friends think it's really cool. 

What would you tell other girls/kids if they asked you about roller derby? 
Roller Derby is the best sport EVER!

Have you travelled anywhere fun or far away to play with your team?
We went to San Diego. I skated on the half pipe and got to skate banked track for the first time. It was a lot of fun. 

Do you do anything fun with your teammates off skates?
We had a really fun birthday party and sleepover at Birdie's house.
My friends think it's really cool. 

October 2015 Skater of the Month

Back in 1989, the singer Michel’le released a song called “Nicety.” Some people think I'm nice, some people think I'm nasty, and if you really want to know just ask me ... And I'll say I'm nicety.

My sister once told me “You’re the nicest person I know AND the meanest!” She was right! My nickname became “Nicety”. For the most part, I'm 90% nice and 10% nasty.  On the derby track, it's the opposite (at least in my mind).

My derby number comes from the 152nd day of the calendar year -- June 1st, my mom's birthday.  In 2014, my mom passed away. At the same time, my daughter stopped playing sports after ten years -- sports that helped both of us cope with the death of her father. I was at a loss. What would I do now? Then I thought, it's my turn to do something for myself!  Just what that was, I didn't know.    

One morning, I was watching KTLA news and Gayle Anderson was doing a segment on SFV Roller Derby at The Lot. Hmm, maybe this is what I need ...  I showed up to First Date and I feel it was one of the best decisions of my life.  

The people who inspire the most are the derby skaters over 40. We all struggle at every level, but it’s inspiring to see those hard-core skaters don’t give up. Age means nothing! Practice, determination, and perseverance will prevail.  They inspire this 45-year-old to work harder, never quit, hustle faster, and never use the excuse that I'm too old to do something because I see that they can do it!  

I used to think I wanted to be a jammer -- the "star" of the team. After the Freshie Bout, I realized blocking is my strength.  I can still be one of many stars that make up the galaxy that is my team!  Go Bandits!  

Believe it or not, my favorite derby memories are all the times I've volunteered.  I truly enjoy helping the league that has helped me so much emotionally, just by allowing me to skate.  The love, encouragement and support I receive surpasses any therapy I could get elsewhere!   

NICETY
NICE N NASTY
#152

September 2015 Junior Skater of the Month

ELLIEGATOR
#422

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

What is your skate name, number, and age?
EllieGator, #422, Age 9.

How did you choose your derby name and number?
EllieGator sounds like “Alligator” and the number is my birthday.
 
How long have you been skating?
2½ years.
 
How did you start playing roller derby?
I saw derby girls at the North Hollywood farmers market and they looked cool.
 
Do you have any hobbies in addition to playing roller derby?
Yes, acting, singing, dancing, sleeping and eating.
 
What position do you play or enjoy the most?
Jammer and jamming!
 
What do you love best about roller derby? Most fun memory?
Most fun memory are the noodle fights. I love that we get to travel!
 
What do your school friends and family think of you playing roller derby?
They think I’m strong and it is cool!
 
What would you tell other girls/kids if they asked you about roller derby? 
You get to have fun and you fall down a lot and you get to make friends.
 
Do you ever worry about getting hurt while playing roller derby?
Yes!!!!
 
Have you travelled anywhere fun or far away to play with your team?
Yes!! Vegas!!!
 
Do you do anything fun with your teammates off skates?
Yes! Sleepovers and get chocolate blueberries from Cha Cha Glide!!!