Help WFTDA Improve Your Roller Derby Experience!

The WFTDA is conducting their third annual demographic survey of skaters and fans.

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association is conducting two surveys to help them learn more about roller derby audiences. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with them. You can find the surveys at wftda.com/survey.

If you are a fan, skater, or league partner, participate in the third annual demographic survey.  The WFTDA wants to know more about you and your opinions of the game; it’s your chance to be heard.

And if you are a skater or super-fan who watched the WFTDA tournament broadcasts or attended 2011 WFTDA tournaments in person, please also participate in the first tournaments and broadcasting survey. Help WFTDA plan to make the 2012 tournaments and broadcasts as successful as possible!

Both surveys will be open from Feb 1 through Feb 15th. Survey participants may optionally enter a drawing to win a WFTDA prize pack (a Ceramic Insulated Coffee Mug and a Gildan Soft Grey WFTDA Tee). Five winners from each survey will be selected at random after the surveys close and will be notified by email.

Thanks for helping make WFTDA roller derby even better!

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association is the international governing body for the sport of women’s flat track roller derby and a membership organization for leagues to collaborate and network. The WFTDA sets standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determines guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues. There are currently 133 WFTDA member leagues and 81 leagues in the WFTDA Apprentice program.

Q:  How did you choose your derby name?

A:  I used to belong to a motorcycle club and my riding name was Sway so I knew it had to have that in it. A coworker actually came up with the “Slam’n” part, as in hitting you (slamming) AND as in hot babe (she’s slamming). LOL!

Q: Whats your biggest fear?

A:  Claustrophobic as can be

Q: Who’s your favorite roller derby player ?

A: NY based Suzy Hotrod (cuz she’s amazing), Non-NY Dolly Rocket (cuz she’s got pretty big attitude)

Q: Whats your day job?

A: Crime Fighter for NYS

Q: What other sports have you played?

A:  Softball, diving, swimming, soccer

Q: Favorite team to watch besides your own?

A: Gotham Girls

Q: How long have you been playing for?

A: Going into my 5th season

Q: If you had only one choice of food for the rest of your life what would it be?

A:  Seafood!

Q: Favorite position? and why?

A: Back Blocker: I like cutting a path for my jammer. But I am beginning to like jamming now that I’ve been doing it more and enjoy blocking my way through.

Q: How did you get interested in roller derby?

A: I saw a flyer that a coworker and former teammate had…she was going to tryouts and invited me.

Q: What’s your day job?

A: I am a physical education and health teacher

Q:  Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

A: I have to many tattoos and piercings to count

Q:  Do you have any children? If so would you let them join roller
derby?

A:  I have three kids…two are girls and i would love for them to join…my 6 year old just learned to cross over!

Q:  What kind of music are you into?

A: I really listen to all kinds of music but I am an 80′s rock girl

Q:  If you could change one rule about roller derby what would it be?

A: If i could change one rule i would probably allow for more types of hitting, like elbows!

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: I play softball, volleyball but i use to play all different sports in high school and college

Q: How long have you been playing roller derby?

A: i have been playing derby for 4 years now…well this year I didn’t get to play because I broke my leg

Q: If you could be an animal what would you be?

A: I think i would be a rabbit…there are a lot of similes about rabbits…f@*k like a rabbit…fast as a rabbit, plus they are cute and cuddly.

Q: Favorite derby team besides your own?

Long Island…love those girls!!!

First and foremost I want you to all know that each and every one of you had made a tremendous impact on my life.  And this is by far the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

Skating has been part of my life for about seven years, and it’s only within the last three that I have fallen head over heels with it.  With everything, the whole idea of skating, the teamwork, the speed, the endurance, the atmosphere, how can we forget the god forsaken smells and most importantly, amazing and inspirational women.

You all have taught me so much both on and off the track.  On the track, I learned the importance of Teamwork, and there is NO I in team.  I learned sportswomanship, which I am still working on.  Lol and to never stop moving your feet…skate, skate, skate.  As for off the track, I have been priviledged and inspired by all of you.  You taught me life lessons of acceptance and the importance of diversity, those just naming a few.

You all have helped to shape me into a stronger well-rounded, maturing young woman who has learned to stand up for my beliefs and to be accepting of others.  Which is something I am extremely grateful for.

I am truly honored to have been a part of something so amazing and liberating.  This letters isn’t a goodbye, it’s a good luck and kick some serious ass until I am able to come back and skate with all of you wonderful, pretty, betches.

Always yours,

LuLu <3

Q: what got you interested in derby?

A: When I moved upstate from NYC I was looking for a soccer league but saw a flyer for Roller Derby. I got hooked immediately

Q: how did you pick your derby name?

A: I picked Lolita LeBruise after the Puerto Rican Independence activist, Lolita LeBron. She has courage in the face of all kinds of obstacles!!

Q: if you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring with you?

A: A kindle loaded with as many books as possible (plus a solar powered battery), a pen and a notebook

Q: what is your best derby memory?

A: There are so many but my best derby memory is the first time my wife (Puff) and I showed up at practice and met Pinky and Rxy for the first time. We could barely stand up on our skates!

Q: whats your biggest fear?

A: Going blind

Q: whats your favorite position and why?

A: Recently it has become blocker 3..I’m not sure why yet!

Q:if you were an animal what would you be?

A: I’d be a Raptor of some sort…or a Cheetah…or a horse. I can’t choose

Q: what is your day job?

A: I’m a professor of philosophy and assistant dean of the college. I work at Bard College. Super nerd is my day job

Q: what kind of music are you into?

A: Right now I’m listening to a lot of old Hector Lavoe and Florence and the Machine and Mumford and Sons.

Q: if you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

A: Chocolate!!!!

Q: What is your day job?

A: Social Worker by day, Super Savior by Night

Q: Do you have any fears? If so what are they?

A: I am fearful of dying tomorrow so I live life to the fullest

Q: What is your “day job”?

A: Customer Service at American Icon Screen Printing

Q: What is your favorite tattoo and why?

A: My Sleeve. Just because.

Q: Do you have any fears?

A: Yes.

Q: What or who has influenced your choice in derby name?

A: I like Pin-Up Girls and we’re the Horrors….so….

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: No

Q: Do you have any pet peeves

A: Yes, quite a few.

Q: Has derby influenced your life positively or negatively and how?

A: Positively – I’m more outgoing and have more confidence than I used to.

Q: How long have you been skating?

A: Since I was about six…with a 15 year break in there somewhere.

Q: What would you like your derby legacy to be?

A: I’m not even sure how to answer this.

Q: Who is your favorite roller derby team other than your own?

A: To Watch: Gotham Girls; To play with/against: Long Island

Q: Who is your favorite Roller Derby player and why?

A: That would be Bonnie Thunders from Gotham Girls Roller Derby- Bronx Gridlock.  Not only is she athletic, agile and fast, she is very humble about it.  I find her to have a great mind for Roller Derby

Q: What attracted you to Roller Derby?

A: The originality of the sport; being primarily played by females, team camaraderie and promoting female empowerment each day.

Q: How did you choose your Derby name?

A: I wanted to include my profession into my name: LifeSaver, since I am a nurse and Cherry just fit.

Q: How has Derby impacted your life both positively and negatively, if either?

A: Positively- I have learned how to be a team player, both on and off the track.

Q: What is your day job?  What would your dream job be?

A: I am a full-time RN (Registered Nurse).  I currently work at MHMG in Fishkill, GI Department/Procedures. My dream job?  I’m currently working it or full-time Roller Derby player.

Q: Any tattoos or piercings?

A: Yes.  Piercings: Ears, nose, eyebrow. Tattoos: On hip/groin area.

Q: Any fears?

A: Getting serverly hurt and unable to play Roller Derby

Q: What would you like your Derby legacy to be?

A: Being the lowest skater and never giving up?

Q: Other than your own team, what’s your favorite team?

A: Bronx Gridlock

Learn more about Cherry Lifesaver

“Women’s Roller Derby Dishes Out Fun, Friendship and Fitness” by Taylor Hickey

The article I read was “Women’s Roller Derby Dishes Out Fun, Friendship and Fitness.”  It begins with Amber Mori who drives a forklift in a warehouse in Gaithersburg, Maryland telling the

reporter about her experience with roller derby.  Twice a week Amber transforms into “Cykosis” kwon for wearing fish-net stockings and being a skatin’ diva while bumping and jabbing her way around a roller rink.  Amber has been skating over a year as a member of the roller derby team names the “Mason Dixon Roller Vixens.”  What now is a passion started out as an escapade.  “I love it; it’s a great way to get out, be invigorated—and the companionship is wonderful,” says Mori.  “And I’ve got legs as strong as pythons.”

Derby leagues across the nation are gearing up for the premier of Whip It — the newest flick featuring our favorite sport — and guess what, SO ARE WE!

This Friday, October 2, come out to the Poughkeepsie Galleria’s Regal Cinemas to see the movie, meet HVHRD, buy some raffles for swag, tix, and more, and, of course, have some FUN!

Members of HVHRD will be at the theater from 5:30pm until LATE (in fact, we’re seeing the last showing of the evening at 10:05pm — if you want to see it with us!), talking to movie goers, taking pictures, talking about the sport of roller derby, and eating popcorn.

We received a poem from a fan — and really, we’re just tickled horror over this. Thanks for our poem, The Poem Man!!