Interview with Ri-Ettes' Captain Tara Armov- Tix on sale now for Ri-Ettes vs. Team Legit March 27th!

Photo by Charlie Shutterthug Chu

In her six years skating with L.A. Derby Dolls, Ri-Ettes captain Tara Armov has, among many accomplishments, led the Fight Crew through the only undefeated season in the league’s history, coined the term Baby Doll Brawl, and ignited fear in the hearts of countless skaters.  We talked to Tara about her history with derby, the nature of being an All-Star, and why you should never turn down a chance to hang out with derby people. 

You can see Tara and the Ri-Ettes take on Team Legit on March 27^th- tickets are on sale NOW here.  And then on March 28th, come back with the whole family to watch the all-ages Baby Doll Brawl.  Get your tickets now- we WILL sell out.

Q:  How long have you been playing roller derby?  How did you first get involved with the sport?

TA:  I've been playing derby since January, 2004. Good gawd, seeing that date actually makes me feel very, VERY old.   Ah, lost youth...  Oh, wait!  Back to the interview...

Anyway, I found derby when I was working in Texas in 2003, and through a series of fortuitous circumstances, found myself at the first awards ceremony for the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls in Austin.  There was something about a dirty warehouse covered in spray-painted banners, filled with old theater seats surrounding a well-used banked track that I found to be exciting.  All without seeing them actually skate.

When the job ended and I came back to Los Angeles, I found the Derby Dolls through Craigslist.  I emailed co-founder Thora Zeen telling her that if the Derby Dolls are doing what the Texas league was doing, I wished them the best and couldn't wait to see them skate.  Thora emailed me back saying that I should come practice with the Dolls.  I said that I was too old.  Thora replied, "BULLSHIT!" and convinced me to skate with them.  And so started the long road of How Tara Armov Came Into Being.

Q:  What’s the difference between a regular season game and an All-Star game?

TA: Our regular season games feature our amazing intra-league teams: Fight Crew, Sirens, Tough Cookies, and Varsity Brawlers.  Our All-Star games feature the best skaters from each of those teams going up against kickass skaters and teams from leagues all around the country.  Seeing an All-Star game is kinda similar to getting the Greatest Hits collection of your favorite band with the occasional remix bonus track added on the end.

Q:  What does it take to turn an average skater into an All-Star?

TA:  Usually either a freak accident involving nuclear radiation in a shifty scientific study, or a LOT of sweat, blood, hard training and the occasional tear will turn your Average Everyday Kickass Skater into an All-Star Who You REALLY Don't Want to Tick Off.

Q:   How are this season’s Ri-Ettes different from last year’s?

TA:  I think we're even more enthusiastic about playing new teams and having fun with it than last year.  We're enjoying learning the best way to utilize who we have on the team and learning to work well with each other on the track.  I'm VERY excited to see how we play on the 27th!

Q:  Your March 27th opponent Team Legit is made up of flat track All-Star skaters from all over the West Coast.  How do you think these skaters will fare on the banked track?

TA:  It will depend on how fast they adjust to the differences in speed and timing on the banked track.  Some of them skated against LADD at Battle on the Bank II tournament in Austin, TX last year, and they were a force to be reckoned with.   However, our track is longer and has a steeper bank to it than TXRD's, so it'll be interesting to see how Legit adjusts to that.

Q:  In your spare time, you travel across the country training other leagues and doing commentary for Derby News Network.  Why is it important for LA skaters and fans to expose themselves to derby beyond the Doll Factory?

TA:  Because there's SO MUCH AWESOME derby out there!  Seeing other leagues skate, whether it's banked or flat track, is an eye-opener on so many levels!  I always learn something when seeing other leagues skate.

That, and hanging out with DIY derby people is always the most fun one can have without going to jail for it.

Q:  Who are the Ri-Ettes to watch on March 27th?  Who from Team Legit are you nervous about facing?

TA:  The Ri-Ettes to watch?  ALL OF US.  Each Ri-Ette brings something amazing to the team.  Look at our roster...there isn't anyone there who shouldn't be there, and it shows when they skate.  When we stick together, we're unstoppable.

As for Legit, I don't focus on particular individuals to be nervous about.  That's a mind game I'd rather not play.  I'm going to tell my team to just hit the crap out of anyone who isn't wearing a Ri-Ettes uniform on the track.

Q:  2010’s first Baby Doll Brawl is on March 28.  What’s so great about a Baby Doll Brawl?  Should fans come back to the Doll Factory two days in a row to see this one?

TA:  Here's the beauty of this weekend's Derby Dolls games: you get to see the current best and the future best of the league.  It's like a big, sweaty, violent derby sammich!

Baby Doll Brawls are just so much FUN to watch... you can see what the future will bring forth, even in their current embryonic derby stage.  And isn't always fun to see your babies grow up to kick ass?

Q:  You are notoriously loud and angry on the track.  What fuels your rage?

TA:  I wouldn't say I'm angry most of the time, but I am vociferously enthusiastic, especially when it comes to anything derby.

Interview with Windy City Rollers’ Jackie Daniels- Last Chance to Attend March Radness Training Camp in LA!

 Photo by Boss Hogg

Jackie Daniels is an All-Star blocker, jammer, and all around good time derby gal.  She’s been rocking the Midwest with her skating for the last five years, and will be making a special guest appearance in Southern California to lead classes at next week’s March Radness Camp.  We talked to Jackie about switching leagues, switching tracks, and why she never misses a chance to party with the the L.A. Derby Dolls.

You can train with Jackie and other fantastic skaters from all over the country, as well as try out the banked track, from March 4-7 in LA.  More information and tickets are available here.

Q:  How long have you been playing roller derby?  How did you first get involved with the sport?

JD:  I joined and helped build Grand Raggidy Roller Girls in May of 2005.  We played our first bout (standing straight up) in April of 2006.  I read an article about derby coming back in major cities and just knew it was for me (I have no idea why; I hadn't seen it, nor did I know anything, but I would not stop talking about doing it).  I was afraid it wouldn't happen in Grand Rapids, but soon found out it was just getting started on a very small scale.

Q:  You recently relocated from Grand Rapids to Chicago, and from the Grand Raggidy Roller Girls to the Windy City Rollers.  How has the transition been?

JD:  The transition is great.  I feel my agility increasing significantly, as I am more scared of getting hit WAY hard by more girls- ha!  Not that GR girls don't hit hard, but there's a big difference in a league of 25 vs. 90+ skaters.  It feels great to have more coaching and opinions available.  I am on one committee vs. several and I am loving feeling less pressure in that arena after a long time on Board of Directors.  WCR has been very welcoming and I am SO happy to be with them.  It's completely, completely different, in a great way, and it feels really like a perfect fit. 

Q:  You normally skate flat track, but have a healthy respect for the bank.  What do you see as biggest difference between banked and flat track derby?

JD:  Mostly strategy.  You really need to rethink your game when shorter jams, faster laps and different advantages due to the bank are all new things coming at you.  It all makes sense that these would come into play, but you just need to remember plan for it, even though you just wanna get out there!

Q:  What’s the most important thing for newer skaters to think about when learning the game?   What do you think vets can always get better at?

JD:  Fundamentals and a positive attitude are huge assets to take you where you need to be regardless of the point you are at in your athletic career.   Working hard with a positive attitude is a huge contribution to your team at the early or later stages of skill.  I am constantly learning, even if I attend a beginner class, it seems I take something away.  There is always something to be gained from each experience.  Putting yourself in the position to have as many experiences as possible really helps growth- whether that be attending all of your leagues practices you can, adding camps, watching nearby various bouts, watching DNN online bouts, etc. 

Q:  Why is March Radness camp in LA a derby event that’s not to be missed?

JD:  LA knows how to get down; they just know how to do an event right. They are gracious hosts and wonderful planners.  They've always come out 110% each time I have practiced with, played against, played with or spectated a game with LADD.  I have no doubt that they’ll pull off one the best training camps to attend.  I try dang hard to not miss anything stamped Derby Dolls.

Q:  If there were a banked track league in Chicago, would you join?

JD:  Hmmm... I'd try to do both.  If I couldn't, I'd stick with WCR, cause I'm just a loyal lady (maybe the lady part isn't exactly accurate) and any banked track league would have a serious challenge to compete with the love in my heart for Derby Dolls.

Q:  What’s the hardest part about roller derby?

JD:  Not being able to be everywhere at once.  In so many ways.

Q:  Boxers or briefs?

JD:  I like to wear baggy briefs.

Interview with San Diego’s Bonnie D. Stroir- Tickets on sale now for March Radness Training Camp in LA!

Photo By Charlie Shutterthug Chu

Bonnie D. Stroir is an All-Star blocker, jammer, and the founder of the San Diego Derby Dolls, the nation's first hybrid banked and flat track roller derby league.  She will be leading classes at this year’s March Radness Camp.  We talked to Bonnie about the difference between banked and flat track, what it takes to become an All-Star, and why this year’s training camp is going to be awesome. 

You can train with Bonnie and other fantastic skaters from all over the country, as well as try out the banked track, from March 4-7 in LA.  More information and tickets are available here. 

Q:  How long have you been playing roller derby?  How did you first get involved?

BD:  I got started with L.A. Derby Dolls in October of 2003.  There was no roller derby in San Diego yet, so I had to commute for my ass kickings.

Q:  What’s the biggest difference between banked and flat track derby?

BD:  Banked track is much faster.  The average time it takes for a jammer to exit the pack and re-enter is 3 seconds faster on average in banked track.

That doesn't sound like much, but in an average 37 second jam, 3 seconds can make the difference between being prepared and getting smoked.  I think that's partly why flat track skaters have a hard time making the adjustment sometimes.

Q:  What do you think skaters can gain from learning to skate both?

BD:  Slowing things down on the flat ground is good for banked skaters, because it's a way crueler workout, endurance-wise, to have to push your own ass around the track for 2 whole minutes.

But as far as strategy goes, I consider banked track going from dial up to cable internet.  Teams have to click and react NOW, not after some time for careful consideration.  Learning to think fast like that should appeal to anyone who feels they've hit a plateau in their derby career.

Q:  What’s the most important thing for newer skaters to think about when learning the game?   What do you think vets can always get better at?

BD:  Everyone needs more agility, and more endurance.  You can never get enough of either; it's the difference between a first half team and a full time team.

Q:  What does it take to turn an average skater into an All-Star?

BD:  There's this point where you just sort of... click into gear.  You go from just going through the motions at practice to actively making things happen and understanding why.  I think it has to happen in a game.  There's a breakthrough game for everyone who becomes an All-Star, where afterwards you're like... "Yah, I freakin' get it now!"

I think that's something that happens within; you can't really teach it.  It's like hitting your stride, self confidence-wise.

Q:  Why is March Radness camp in LA a derby event that’s not to be missed?

BD:  Any time there's a training camp, you wanna be there, especially if you have a chance to learn from people like Jawbreaker, and Bonnie Thunders.  Camps are so fun; you're completely immersed in your thing, with your people.

Not only that, anyone who hasn't had the chance to scrimmage on a banked track yet should take every advantage of the opportunity!

Q:  What’s the worst injury you’ve sustained?  How about the worst injury you’ve given?

BD:  I don't like to think too much about (manifest) injuries.  But I've had my share of sprained and separated things, but you know, that's just part of sports.  You heal and move on.  Hopefully a little smarter!

Q:  Answer honestly: which is better, flat track or banked?

BD:  I've always tried to acknowledge the importance of everyone's derby. I'll always go where the competition is, too.  But let me just say, if I could give the whole world a banked track, I surely would!