Interview with the Swarm's Bonnie D. Stroir - Tix on sale now for Cookies vs. Swarm 11/14

Bonnie D. Stroir tries to evade capture from Officer P.I.T.A. Photo by Stalkerazzi

Though they might be the newest team to the LADD, the Swarm have had no trouble adjusting to the punishing banked track, stinging all opponents to remain undefeated. The tight, strategic team in yellow and black battle the evenly-matched Tough Cookies on Nov. 14, when only one team will walk away undefeated, and all fans will walk away delighted. We spoke with Bonnie D. Stroir, the happiest skater in derby, about why she's always smiling and how she fears no one. Get your tickets to see if the Cookies can wipe the smile off Bonnie's face on Nov. 14. Tickets on sale now at www.derbydolls.com/la

Q:         Tell us why and how you started the San Diego Derby Dolls.
BDS:     Well, I just fell in love with the Derby Dolls right from my very first practice. I loved it so much I continued to commute from Oceanside,CA to Los Angelesfor 2 years. I would travel to the ends of the earth for derby (I've proven that) but after my truck got repoed from missing all the work I used to do, and the train being so unreliable, it just seemed to make sense to bring the style of derby that I love to the county that I actually lived in! Fortunately LADD's founders Demolicious and Thora Zeen agreed, and supported the decision to start a sister league in San Diego. So, a few Craigslist posts later, the San Diego Derby Dolls were born in June 2005.

Q:        What do you think of the Tough Cookies? That Krissy Krash is pretty damn scary.
BDS:    I love Krissy! And I love the Cookies, that was my old team when I was an L.A. Derby Doll. But you should know that I don't fear anyone in derby. I come at this sport with lovelovelovelove. I'm not afraid of it. Or anybody my team has to face.

Q:        We talked a bit with your captain [Isabelle Ringer] about the recent addition of some flat track heavyweights on the Swarm (Ivanna S. Pankin, Trish the Dish, Dahmernatrix) - how concerned were you with integrating their style of play into the Swarm and how excited were you to have these personalities joining San Diego?
BDS:    A good skater can take on any surface. They only concern we'd have with them is the same as bringing on any new team members: building up the trust and chemistry that creates a cohesive unit. Our hive-mind mentality has really helped make that a smooth one- but true intuitive chemistry is something that builds with time.

Q:        What's with you always smiling when you're skating?
BDS:    I love roller derby! I lovelovelove it. I love hitting, dodging, being hit... Every aspect of this sport makes me happy!

Q:         The Baby Doll Brawl is the day after your bout against the Tough Cookies. What words of advice do you have for aspiring skaters?
BDS:    The Baby Doll Brawls are fun to watch because what the newer skaters lack in skill- they seem to make up for with sheer brutality!
I guess my advice is just enjoy yourself, and then watch the footage in slow mo and take it in. Sometimes it feels cooler than it looks, but that's how we learn!

Q:        What will it mean to you and your team if you can go undefeated and win the LADD 2009 Championship?
BDS:    It will mean that there will one poster of each of the great teams on the Doll Factory Champs Wall. And I'll break out my very best smile for the picture. = )

Dolls on Univision Esta Noche!

Aggro Vader on the jam line. Photo by Charlie Chu.Check out the L.A. Derby Dolls on Univision's 6 p.m. Los Angeles newscast, Noticias Univision 34 a las Seis tonight. Set your Tivos! The segment will feature Guatemalan-born Tough Cookie, Aggro Vader (aka Alex Jebsen), and Fight Crew's Chargin' Tina (aka Romina Capilla), who hails from Argentina.

Dolls Headed to Hawaii

Aloha team Haole Woods! A crew of Dolls is playing an exhibition match against Hawaii Pacific Roller Derby this Saturday, Nov. 7th in Honolulu as part of Girl Fest Hawaii.

No. 2 on Bitch Magazine's Five Reasons to Attend Girl Fest is "Moving Your Butt":

"Girl Fest provides a variety of workshops for all ages and price ranges, from conflict resolution to zine making. But the most fun workshops are definitely surfing lessons, breakdancing taught by B-Girl Yoda Laneski, and Escrima and Jiu Jitsu self-defense. If you're just in the mood for sport spectating, you can also catch Hawaii's Roller Derby team take on the LA Derby Dolls!"

Read the full article here.

Interview with Tough Cookies' LEGacy - Tix on sale now for Cookies vs. Swarm 11/14

Photo by Charlie "Shutterthug" ChuAmerica's team, the Tough Cookies, are the reigning champions and continue their impressive run by remaining undefeated this season. They face their biggest challenge against the equally dominate Swarm on Nov. 14. We talked with the Cookies' all-star blocker, LEGacy, about her inspiring journey from injury to becoming one of the best jammer assists in the league, and why she's not afraid of no bees.

See if LEGacy and her Cookies can withstand the Swarm LIVE on Saturday, NOVEMBER 14. Only one team will be left unscathed and retain bragging rights as being undefeated. Get your tickets now at www.derbydolls.com/la

Q:    How long have you been a skater and how did you first become involved with the L.A. Derby Dolls?

LG:   I have been a member of the LADD for 4 years.  My buddy called me and said he had found the perfect hobby for me: ROLLER DERBY. I wasn't too sure how it was played. But I knew skates and hitting other women was the right sport for me.

 

Q:     Your name has some serious origins - tell us a bit about your journey.

LG:    I went to my first practice on 9/25/05 and fell head over heels in love. So, in love I came back the next day...I couldn't wait. I made it through, to the last ten minutes of practice. We were playing freeze tag. I was trying to stop and fell, breaking my left leg, both the Tibia and Fibula in 3 places.  I got surgery 9/27/05 and became the proud owner of 2 plates and 16 screws. We came up with my name at The Derby. Ref Sug said I needed a name that had to do with my injury. We came up with Broken LEGacy.  To keep the injuries at a minimum, I made the Broken silent. I now go by LEGacy these days.

Q:     What did it mean for the team to win championships last year, and how important is it for the Cookies to be the first in LADD history to repeat as champs?

LG:    Winning champs last year was EPIC.The Tough Cookies had not won a championship or a lot of games in the prior years!  We were just the fun team! We rallied for support last year and brought it home!!

 

This year is particularly important to us. We will be facing the Swarm for champs. They too are undefeated and want champs bad!  We want our trophy to stay at home and with the rightful keepers of it...The Tough Cookies.

Q:     You're one of the best jammer assists in the league. What fuels you to protect your Diva Jammers and what advice can you give to aspiring blockers?

LG:    My fuel is being a Bully Blocker. We have a code to uphold. Winning is a big reason to protect Divas. Plus they are pretty awesome!

 

As for aspiring blockers. Hit the biggest blocker that intimidates you and skate away. Face your biggest fears! When you hear that no one wants to be hit by you "because it hurts," come join the Bully Blockers.

Q:     What do you think of how dominant this new, fifth team - the Swarm - have been this season. What will it take to stop their impressive run?

LG:    I believe the Cookies have the skills, the ability to reset, the teamwork and cohesiveness to stop the Swarm. We have 2 opportunities to make it happen.

Q:     What skaters do you admire the most?

LG:    I would say [teammate] Venus D Maul'r. I always considered her my role model. I think she is an amazing skater, with so much talent. I think of her as silent but deadly. She will drop you quick and go get someone else. 

"It Was Awesome": Derby Dolls on Oprah

Missed the episode? Not to worry! You can watch the Derby Dolls take on Ali Wentworth and her Dare Devils here.

The L.A. Derby Dolls want to thank Oprah and Ali's Dare Devils for an unforgettable experience. In a few short hours, these remarkable women came a long way. The Dolls were honored to shove each brave Dare Devil outside her box!