JULY 27 – 31: ROLLERCON 2011
August 5, 2011
Rollercon 2011 was an overwhelming success! The conference this year boasted 3,000 registered skaters and volunteers. Crossroads City Derby was proudly represented by 11 skaters, Coach Bombshell, our General Manager Andrematon, and our very own announcer Gonads O’Brian. The conference was contained within the Riviera Hotel and Casino and offered three sport court tracks for classes, and one main track that hosted challenge bouts, scrimmages, and the highly anticipated Bay Area vs. Mile High WFTDA sanctioned bout. Rollercon was well organized this year and the managers were well prepared for the onslaught of derby-hungry skaters that poured into the City of Sin. So much happened during the five day conference! The best way for me to break it down is to give you three categories: the learnin’, the livin’, and the lovin’.
First, and most importantly, the learnin’. Classes were easy to get into for the most part this year. We were honored to not only watch but learn from skate greats like Quadzilla, Medusa, Ivanna S. Pankin, Atomatrix, and Punk N. Da’Trunk just to name a few. Not only were their skills on display at close range, they were also able to break down those skills into tangible bits for all levels of skaters. Classes broke down skater skills beginning with the basics and advancing up to fancy tricks that can be used by both blockers and jammers. Our brains were truly spinning faster than our wheels trying to digest all the information! Off-skate seminars were also offered covering topics from skate maintenance, to cross training, and announcing for derby. The options were endless!
Team Speed vs. Team ArtisticAnother amazing opportunity involved both watching and participating in all the challenge bouts that took place on the main track. Our first surprise was watching our very own General Grant Slam and Barbie Bombshell as they made their way into the Speed vs. Artistic challenge bout. They skated amongst co-ed greats like Quadzilla, Krissy Krash, Speed Dealer, Tannibal Lectar, and Isabel Ringer. Those ladies skated their hearts out and made CCD proud as they held their own in an advanced level 4 bout! Of course the Speed team took the win with a score of 257 to 52.
Another highlight came about on Saturday morning as team Borderland, comprised of skaters from EPRD and CCD, took on the Heartland. It was an experience of a lifetime as guest skaters Goodie Two Skates, Dahmernatrix, and Muffin, took the track with the Borderland babes. It was a crazy 30 minutes as we learned alongside some of the best. At one point during this bout I learned the best lesson I would take away from Rollercon 2011. Dahmernatrix and I were the only blockers left on the track for team Borderland and honestly my brain froze. She looked me in the eye, grabbed me by the shirt and yelled GOAT! I quickly sank back into position and was glad for the guidance. Later as I apologized to her for freezing up she passed on some brilliance…”go where the awesome is”. At anytime on the track there is something awesome happening, if you aren’t in it, get to it QUICK! Borderland walked away with a win of 95 to 82 but the lessons we learned will extend far beyond that 30 minutes of fantastic experience.
Now on to the livin’. It is Las Vegas after all and the livin’ was anything but easy! Many of our skaters represented CCD as part of the Volunteer Army that staffs the beast that has become Rollercon. Their shifts ranged in duties from handing out goody bags for Skate Safe to laying down the main track, checking ID’s and guarding secret rooms full of merchandise. They were able to make some amazing contacts for our league and secured some sweet swag as well! The night life offered opportunities to open scrimmage, check out the lights, and indulge in some much needed relaxation time. Some folks found their way down the strip, others attended the Black and Blue Ball, the Derby Wedding, and most made at least one appearance at the 24 hour pool party that lasted all 5 days and nights! There was zip lining down Freemont Street, martini drinking atop the Stratosphere, beer drinking out of boots at Gilley’s, and a tiny bit of gambling. Overall we were exhausted from hours on skates during the day but we found our way into a bit of fun because that’s how we roll!
CCD Wedding Pyramid! Congratulations Hell Paseo & Christy K.Now on to the lovin’. We were privileged to witness the beautiful commitment ceremony between our own Hell Paseo and her lovely bride, Crossroads City Derby NSO, Christy K. Tears were flowing, even from The Venomous Dimilo, early Friday morning in the little Chapel in the Riviera. I was proud to stand at the altar as the Maid of Honor, as Racky Balboa gave away her derby sisters at the top of the aisle in honor of CCD. The ceremony was heartfelt and beautiful…and then we formed a pyramid at the altar, took some pictures, and got back to business! Congratulations to the newlyweds and best wishes for many years to come. Their union was a true symbol of the derby love this league has facilitated, and we couldn’t be happier these two have found each other.
– Puncher Villa #1919
August 5, 2011
Rollercon 2011 was an overwhelming success! The conference this year boasted 3,000 registered skaters and volunteers. Crossroads City Derby was proudly represented by 11 skaters, Coach Bombshell, our General Manager Andrematon, and our very own announcer Gonads O’Brian. The conference was contained within the Riviera Hotel and Casino and offered three sport court tracks for classes, and one main track that hosted challenge bouts, scrimmages, and the highly anticipated Bay Area vs. Mile High WFTDA sanctioned bout. Rollercon was well organized this year and the managers were well prepared for the onslaught of derby-hungry skaters that poured into the City of Sin. So much happened during the five day conference! The best way for me to break it down is to give you three categories: the learnin’, the livin’, and the lovin’.
First, and most importantly, the learnin’. Classes were easy to get into for the most part this year. We were honored to not only watch but learn from skate greats like Quadzilla, Medusa, Ivanna S. Pankin, Atomatrix, and Punk N. Da’Trunk just to name a few. Not only were their skills on display at close range, they were also able to break down those skills into tangible bits for all levels of skaters. Classes broke down skater skills beginning with the basics and advancing up to fancy tricks that can be used by both blockers and jammers. Our brains were truly spinning faster than our wheels trying to digest all the information! Off-skate seminars were also offered covering topics from skate maintenance, to cross training, and announcing for derby. The options were endless!
Team Speed vs. Team ArtisticAnother amazing opportunity involved both watching and participating in all the challenge bouts that took place on the main track. Our first surprise was watching our very own General Grant Slam and Barbie Bombshell as they made their way into the Speed vs. Artistic challenge bout. They skated amongst co-ed greats like Quadzilla, Krissy Krash, Speed Dealer, Tannibal Lectar, and Isabel Ringer. Those ladies skated their hearts out and made CCD proud as they held their own in an advanced level 4 bout! Of course the Speed team took the win with a score of 257 to 52.
Another highlight came about on Saturday morning as team Borderland, comprised of skaters from EPRD and CCD, took on the Heartland. It was an experience of a lifetime as guest skaters Goodie Two Skates, Dahmernatrix, and Muffin, took the track with the Borderland babes. It was a crazy 30 minutes as we learned alongside some of the best. At one point during this bout I learned the best lesson I would take away from Rollercon 2011. Dahmernatrix and I were the only blockers left on the track for team Borderland and honestly my brain froze. She looked me in the eye, grabbed me by the shirt and yelled GOAT! I quickly sank back into position and was glad for the guidance. Later as I apologized to her for freezing up she passed on some brilliance…”go where the awesome is”. At anytime on the track there is something awesome happening, if you aren’t in it, get to it QUICK! Borderland walked away with a win of 95 to 82 but the lessons we learned will extend far beyond that 30 minutes of fantastic experience.
Now on to the livin’. It is Las Vegas after all and the livin’ was anything but easy! Many of our skaters represented CCD as part of the Volunteer Army that staffs the beast that has become Rollercon. Their shifts ranged in duties from handing out goody bags for Skate Safe to laying down the main track, checking ID’s and guarding secret rooms full of merchandise. They were able to make some amazing contacts for our league and secured some sweet swag as well! The night life offered opportunities to open scrimmage, check out the lights, and indulge in some much needed relaxation time. Some folks found their way down the strip, others attended the Black and Blue Ball, the Derby Wedding, and most made at least one appearance at the 24 hour pool party that lasted all 5 days and nights! There was zip lining down Freemont Street, martini drinking atop the Stratosphere, beer drinking out of boots at Gilley’s, and a tiny bit of gambling. Overall we were exhausted from hours on skates during the day but we found our way into a bit of fun because that’s how we roll!
CCD Wedding Pyramid! Congratulations Hell Paseo & Christy K.Now on to the lovin’. We were privileged to witness the beautiful commitment ceremony between our own Hell Paseo and her lovely bride, Crossroads City Derby NSO, Christy K. Tears were flowing, even from The Venomous Dimilo, early Friday morning in the little Chapel in the Riviera. I was proud to stand at the altar as the Maid of Honor, as Racky Balboa gave away her derby sisters at the top of the aisle in honor of CCD. The ceremony was heartfelt and beautiful…and then we formed a pyramid at the altar, took some pictures, and got back to business! Congratulations to the newlyweds and best wishes for many years to come. Their union was a true symbol of the derby love this league has facilitated, and we couldn’t be happier these two have found each other.
– Puncher Villa #1919
