They jammin’

KAPA‘A — “My sons are doing inline hockey and I just got tired of sitting in the bleachers watching them play,” said Liana Soong, the founder of the Kaua‘i Derby Divas.

The Kaua‘i Double D’s, as they are affectionately known, were at the Kapa‘a rink working through a practice session Tuesday afternoon.

“We meet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays,” Soong said. “The bouts will begin in January so right now we’re in active recruitment.”

Soong said women over 21 years old have been showing up at the Kapa‘a rink normally used for inline hockey games at almost every practice.

“We get a lot of calls from the banner, and we even get calls from guys who are calling for their girlfriends,” Soong said.

As she spoke, a pair of ladies tentatively watched from the sidelines as the divas worked through the first hour of practice, one of the players offering the use of her equipment so the observers could participate.

“There are no fees,” Soong, known on the rink as Moo-D, said. “But there are basic required equipment of a helmet, wrist, elbow and knee pads, and a mouth guard. You also need quad skates. Basic packages can run from $150 up to $500.”

Soong said when the program started about five months ago, there were only seven ladies. As of Tuesday, there were 17 registered players, each with a rink name such as Suki2U, Latina Loco, Chiquita Bawhamya, Tiki Torch Her,  Kiss My Bonany, Roll Rage, Ivana Nokerova, and Lil’ Mrs. Shun Shine.

Derby players must be over 21 and female, states an informational flier for the Kaua‘i Double D’s. Men and women 18 and older can join the program as referees, announcers, coaches, stagehands or rink rats. Finally,  anyone of any age can help and support the program through promoting, fundraising, sponsoring and attending events and matches.

“There is a roller derby movie, ‘Whip It,’ by Drew Barrymore coming up later in October, and we’ve already contacted the people at the movie theater to hold a red carpet premiere,” Soong said.

Players don’t have to have a skating history to become a Diva, said Soong, who describes herself as a “non-athletic mom who couldn’t skate to save her life.”

“A lot of the ladies are community professionals and working moms,” Soong said. “Together, we share a commitment to bring our island community closer through a sport celebrating the wahine of the island and some of our many talents.”

Soong, who is working with the Kaua‘i Inline Hockey Association in its efforts to secure funding for a roof for the rink, said she’s also gotten the cooperation of that association to use the rink for practices and bouts, and officials and coaches have said they will help with officiating the bouts.

In flat rink roller derby, five players make up a team — two blockers, two pivots and a jammer. The pivots control the pace of the game, yelling out instructions and keeping an eye on the opposing jammer, or point-scoring player. The blockers attempt to keep the jammer from scoring.

The bout season starts in January, and O‘ahu and Maui have teams, Soong said. The league has already received inquiries from Mainland teams expressing an interest in coming to Hawai‘i for bouts as well.

“Right now is a good time for interested women to come out,” Soong said. “During practice, we run through basic drills and work on things like blocking and learning how to fall. We also do some scrimmage bouts, and the more experienced players take their turn at explaining the rules.”

Todd Mayer, a coach and leader with the Kaua‘i Inline Hockey Association, said having the divas out on the rink is good exercise for them, and having events other than inline hockey only helps the association.

“My daughters should be out there, but they’re too young,” Mayer said. “But it’s alright because they’ll be joining some girls from O‘ahu and traveling to Las Vegas for an all-girl tournament.”

Jenny Montgomery is the president of the Kaua‘i Derby Divas, and for more information, visit the Divas’ Web site at www.kauaiderbydivas.com, or call 346-0346.