Ventura County Derby Darlins skate for pride, charity
'We may like each other off the rink, but on it we're looking to hit someone. That's just how we roll.' - Harley Barrington (a.k.a. juvE NILE)
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Photo courtesy of Kustom Kulture Photography SUGAR AND SPICE- The Ventura County Derby Darlins, a local all-women roller derby league, opens its season Sat., Feb. 16 at Freedom Rink Park in Camarillo. The season opener is being billed as the "Broken Hearts Beatdown." Kids 10 and under can attend for free.

Who says ladies can't have their own fight club?

After spurts of popularity in the 1950s and 1970s, the sport of roller derby is making a comeback in Camarillo, thanks to the formation of the Ventura County Derby Darlins in January of 2007.

The Derby Darlins is an allfemale league that plays its home games at Freedom Rink Park.

Corinna Owens, who uses the stage name of "Mollie Tuff Cocktail" and is the league's marketing director, said she became interested a year ago after finding the league's MySpace page.

"Growing up, my family watched a lot of roller derby, especially the Los Angeles Thunderbirds," Owens said. "After finding the Derby Darlins web page, I went to check out a practice to see if it was legitimate. I saw that it was, and after watching I joined the first night."

Chris Lapointe, who goes by the name "Honey Hematoma," said she became interested in the league a year ago, following her divorce.

"I was going through a tough time, and I wanted to let out some angry aggression, get some exercise and meet some new people," Lapointe said. "I immediately fell in love with the camaraderie of this team. There is no drama; I get along with every single girl."

While the Darlins may have mutual respect for each other, once they get into the rink they're out to cause chaos.

"At one of our last practices, Corinna (Owens) was really going after me, trying to hit me as hard as she could," said Derby Darlin Harley Barrington (a.k.a. juvE NILE).

"And that's when I knew I was a part of the team. There's this great understanding that we may like each other off the rink, but on it we're looking to hit someone. That's just how we roll."

Lapointe said at first she would apologize after making a big hit on one of the competitors, but she quickly learned that there "is no 'sorry' in Roller Derby."

With all the hard hitting, the Darlins often go back to their respective jobs with fresh bruises, much like Edward Norton in the film "Fight Club."

"My boss decided to sponsor the team, and he was surprised when he first saw all my tattoos and scars," Owens said. "I think he wasn't sure what to think of all of it in the beginning, but after watching a couple of our matches, he changed.

"Now, when I come into the office with a bruise, he'll smile and say, 'Someone hit you pretty good last night, didn't they?'''

Dayna Klinshaw, who uses the name "Mona Sleeza," said she received plenty of admiration from her three children after they watched her perform as a Derby Darlin.

"I guess I went a little higher on the 'cool factor' with them," Klinshaw said with a laugh.

"My daughter already wants to be one when she grows up and has already made up a name for herself."

Lapointe said she's even had kids ask her for an autograph.

"I had this 8-year-old girl come up to me with her mother, and the girl was wearing all this Derby Darlin gear and had Derby Darlin trading cards," Lapointe said.

"She saw me, got all excited, and found my trading card. After she asked me to sign the card, I was so happy I almost started crying."

The Derby Darlins became a nonprofit organization last August. Owens said the Darlins are dedicated to assisting local charities and good causes, such as, ironically, the Coalition to End Domestic Violence.

Last October, the Derby Darlins, along with seven other leagues, met up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds to showcase the sport. In the process they brought back a few old roller derby fans, while gaining new ones.

"We have some diverse demographics," Owens said. "We have anyone from the typical biker to the CEO watching us.

"I think it's been a baby-step process, but a lot of stereotypes are broken once people see us. We're not all just women with tattoos that live a punk rock lifestyle. The more the word gets around, the more people learn that we are trying to do a lot of good stuff for the community," Owens said.

The Derby Darlins' practices, which are open to the public, are on Monday and Thursday nights. The league's season opener, being billed as the "Broken Hearts Beatdown," is Sat., Feb. 16 at Freedom Rink Park.

"We encourage fans of all ethnicities and ages to come watch us," Owens said. "And if you're over 21, come try out for us."