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!

The Skully Award, October 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 REFAEL

“Ref is an awesome person. He has stepped up as a leader in our little land of misfits and he is amazing and does so much for our league.”
— Killo Kitty, SFV Roller Derby Founder

How did you decide on your derby name? 
I'm kind of obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles if you haven't guessed (although Michaelangelo is my favorite).

How did you get started as a roller derby referee?
I started about six months after my girlfriend, Stockholm Syndi, started at SFV Roller Derby. I frequently came to practices and after seeing how much she really enjoyed it, I finally decided to get involved. Three years later and I'm in love with this game, my leagues, and the community!

What's your favorite roller derby memory?
My favorite derby memory happened at the Big O 2015. I was in the back row near turn 3 and noticed Victorian Roller Derby League gathered behind us. I attempted to sneak a selfie with them, but they noticed and immediately started posing. 

“Refael is one the most instrumental parts of my learning and skating in SFV. He has helped me beyond what is needed to achieve my goals as a skating official. I can’t thank him enough for the work he does for me and the league.”
— Frank Einstein, SFV Roller Derby Co-Head Referee

Who inspires you, both on and off the track?
I've met so many people in this community that I look up to that I have the opportunity to call friends -- great players and officials that have great qualities that I hope I can translate into my own experiences. Off the track, my best friends inspire me. As much as we all party and goof off together, we're all bettering ourselves and continuing our educations on our way to being healthcare professionals, engineers, musicians, and more. 

What's something you wish all skaters knew?
I wish skaters knew how far out-of-play they skate to chase jammers! And that being an official is hard. Skating refs may not see everything, but we try our best. 

When you're not on the track, where can we find you?
If I’m not at SFV, you can find me practicing with the Drive-By City Rollers, or else driving an ambulance, in class finishing my prerequisites for nursing, or spending the rest of my days with Stockholm Syndi. 

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! 

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

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