The Battle For The North Pole: Santa's Slayers vs. The Grinch’s

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Category: Hawaii Womens, Girls Xtreme Sports

Published on 05 December 2010

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162836_1535880636968_1233405439_31251267_5599971_n In Saturday's Battle For The North Pole; it was Santa's Slayers who showed the Grinch’s what a holiday Roller Derby scrimmage is really about as they battled their way to victory at the Hideaway Club in Kapolei. Strong defense by Axel Greaser and Bella DeBrawl, who managed 4 penalties in the bout, as well as quick moving jammers A-Bomb, and even Axel Greaser herself, who isn't normally a jammer, helped lead the team to their win. The scrimmage was a fundraiser event for the Pacific Roller Derby All-Stars who are headed to Alaska this Wednesday, 12/8, to bring some tropical heat to the winter chill up north. I had a chance to talk with Tadbit Nasty about Pacific Roller Derby and the future of the sport here in Hawaii. For Tadbit Nasty, who has been involved in roller derby since February 2009, Roller Derby, and her team in particular, has given her the chance to have a family here in Hawaii. As soon as she joined the team, she had 40 sisters who she could find connections and commonalities with. And like any family, everyone is different, but each woman has a strength that makes them unique to the sport, and special to the team. I asked her why she chose roller derby and she explained that for her; as with many of the other women, it gives them the, “chance to be a part of a team, and to stay active regardless of whether or not they have played sports in the past, or if they have played contact sports”. “Even people with no experience”, she said, “can catch on quickly and compete along side those that have been playing for longer”. She added that not only do these ladies learn to become confident and competitive skaters, but they also develop their leadership skills, and strengthen their self esteem and confidence; and it gives them the, “excuse to be radical”. Teams are comprised of women across the island 18 years and older, but Tadbit Nasty mentioned that in the future, Pacific Roller Derby hopes to have a junior derby team where girls 10- 18 years can compete as well. One of the difficulties the teams currently face is trying to find venues to practice, host bouts, and have fundraisers in that aren't exposed to the weather and are a little kinder to the body; as everything right now takes place outdoors on primarily on tennis courts or outdoor roller hockey rinks. Despite this minor bump on the track; the popularity of the sport is growing and more women are getting involved, making each event that much more exciting.

You can follow the Pacific Roller Derby All-Stars during their bouts in Alaska at their website: www.PacificRollerDerby.com. The ladies will be competing Friday 12/10 in Fairbanks, and Saturday 12/11 in Anchorage.

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