September 2016 Skater of the Month

HI-HO GIZMO
#1200

Tell us about your name.
I really wanted to choose something that was kind of silly and cute that also reflected my love of all things '80s. The "hi-ho" part refers to when the gremlins all go to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and tear up the place like the party animals that they are.

What's your favorite derby position?
Blocker! I love all the team work involved.

Who inspires you on the track?
The lovely ladies of SFV Roller Derby, of course! Everyone's loving, supportive and badass ways inspire me in all aspects of life. Dovah in particular is someone who inspires me with all of her hardwork and dedication. She holds a special place in my heart as my main squeeze!

What is your favorite derby memory?
I had such a blast at the last freshie bout -- Lion Maidens versus the Judas Beasts! Getting to know everyone better and having so much love from my friends and family at the game was amazing. 

What's your patronus?
It's either gotta be a doggie because they are my favorite animals ever or a doe because I have a deep desire to match my love, Severus Snape. 

The Skully Award, August 2016

SFV Roller Derby would be nothing without our hardworking officials, both our onskates Referees and our dedicated Non-Skating Officials. Throughout the year, the Training Team would like to honor an official in recognition of their contribution to the league. 


Honoring H-BOMB

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

H-Bomb is one of my favorite people to work with. She always brings positive energy where ever she goes. No matter how serious we need to be in the jobs that we do, I never cease to have a good time with her.
— Refael, SFV Roller Derby Head Ref

How did you decide on your derby name? 
I was originally Amazon Annie., but H-Bomb sounded better. So I changed it. 

How did you get started as a roller derby referee? 
I was a skater, but after I got injured in a car accident, Tour De Franzia suggested officiating. I trained with the Los Angeles Derby Dolls, and I've been officiating now 2 years strong. Best advice ever! 

What's your spirit animal? 
Tiger.  Focused, patient and fearless. 

Who inspires you, both on and off the track?
Dovahkill. She does all the good things for SFV on and off the track. I love her. 

What's something you wish all skaters knew or realized?
Help out the new girls. You don't need to act superior to them – they already idolize you. 


I’ve come across a lot of people in this derby-verse and usually with time they forget that derby is fun. Not H-Bomb. She always has the most contagious smile on her face and I’m getting misty-eyed thinking how that won’t be around anymore. Even with a whistle in her mouth she’s still smiling.
— Dovahkill, SFV Roller Derby Head NSO

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!

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

June 2016 Skater of the Month

PHOTO BY TOUGH GIRLS ON EIGHT WHEELS

GUNNER GINZU
#1717

Tell us about your name.
Growing up, my uncle always called me Ginzu and my boyfriend helped me come up with Gunner and that's how I got my name GuNnEr GinZu!

What’s your favorite derby position?
I love to block! It’s an awesome feeling knowing I can hit people and not get in trouble for it. 

Who inspires you on the track?
Moose! I want to learn to do all the awesome stuff she does on the track, like backwards blocking and doing sweeps! #moosehunt

What is your favorite derby memory?
Last month, when I scrimmaged against another league for the first time. That was when I realized I wanted to continue doing derby for the long run. 

When you're not on the track, where can we find you? 
Skating around the Valley! Attending local (and non-local) events like CicLAvia (pronounced sic-lah-VEE-ya) in order to represent SFV Roller Derby!

May 2016 Skater of the Month

Photo by ConJobb Photos

SAMMI SMACKY-YAO
#480

Congrats on being SFV Roller Derby's May 2016 Skater of the Month!
Wow! What an honor! Everyone in SFV is so great. Shout out to all the super moms out there, my O.G. Banditas, my new Wrecking Crew, my GHOULS and the Sandlot! 

What’s your favorite derby position?
I love all things derby! I also love a challenge and so I'm going to go ahead and say that Jamming is my favorite. Although all positions hold various challenges, not everyone wants the star panty. It's like the unwanted step child.

What is your favorite derby memory?
The Ghoul Scouts vs Frankenbabes freshie bout. I was voted co-captain. It was such an exciting game, and pulling off the win by a few points felt like magic. From the coaches to my teammates and everything in between, it holds a spot in my heart and was awesome fun!

What's your super power? 
I am a SuperMom, so I have many super powers! My favorite is making wine disappear.

April 2016 Skater of the Month

HERRICANE JAXXSON
#0713

Tell us about your name.
It's said hurricanes are a force of nature, an invincible flurry, and an awe-inspiring phenomenon -- all things I aspire to become but for now I'm just a disaster! And because every hurricane needs a name, I used my childhood nickname "Jaxxson". 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals?
I'm mainly a blocker and as a blocker my goal is to someday be a beast blocker like Dethblock!

Who/what inspires you on the track?
Outside of derby, the person who has been there for me from my first date to now has been my partner-in-crime, Luis aka HERRicane's Disaster. I was also lucky enough to cross paths with my amazing derby wife, Ms VenomZuela. Both motivate and push me to be my best especially when I feel like I don't have it in me they never let me give up.

What is your favorite derby memory?
You never forget your first bout, which for me was the AstroNaughties versus the NeanderDolls. But the most recent Freshie Bout, the Ghoul Scouts versus the Frankenbabes, was such a close game. I was named Most Valuable Blocker for my team, which was such an honor!

Photo by Chuck Gay Photography

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.