Conversations with Cynthia Beers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Beers

Hi Cynthia , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Badfish Roller Derby was established in 2014. Like a phoenix, our team rose from the ashes of a former local league. A dedicated group of skaters saw an opportunity to revitalize the sport in their community. They united with a shared passion for roller derby and a vision to create a new, inclusive team that emphasized fun, empowerment, and competition. Badfish is a skater-operated, full-contact, locally competitive, flat track roller derby league.

Our commitment to the sport and each other keeps us motivated, and our end goal remains clear: to one day have a dedicated home where we can host our games and continue to foster the vibrant roller derby culture we’ve built.

Our league embraces a fun and quirky fish theme that adds to our unique identity! Cleared skaters are proudly known as “The School.” We also have our “Sea Monkeys,” which are skaters who have passed their minimum skills assessment and written test, getting ready to officially join The School. For our new skaters, we call them “Guppies,” as they’re learning the basic skills to dive into the sport.

One of the best parts about roller derby is definitely the unique and creative derby names! My name is Slammin de Beers, which perfectly captures my personality. IYKYK. 🙂

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Badfish Roller Derby faced significant challenges when we lost our home at Cypress Park to pickleball, as the park wasn’t willing to compromise on the usage of the rink. Shortly after that setback, COVID hit, leading to a complete shutdown of in-person activities.
Once we were able to regroup, we had to practice at many different parks until we found a new location for our practices. Unfortunately, this also meant we could no longer host bouts- what we call our roller derby games. Despite these hurdles, our league has remained resilient. We’ve embraced the opportunity to travel for games, strengthening our bonds as friends and teammates. This season alone, we have had opportunities to travel to places as far as Alaska!
We currently hold practices at El Dorado Park every Tuesday and Thursday. While the park’s sports court is too small to host games, we make the most of our time together, and traveling for bouts has turned into a fun bonding experience with friends.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Badfish, I proudly serve as the president of the league. For me, this role is incredibly meaningful; it’s about preserving the essence of the league I fell in love with many years ago while also driving our growth.
I strive to maintain the welcoming and empowering atmosphere that drew me to roller derby in the first place. My goal is to help our league evolve, grow our community of support, and create opportunities for all of our skaters. Running an entire league can be challenging at times, but the passion I have for roller derby and my Fishes keeps me motivated to push for our league’s future success.
What sets me apart from others is that I have a huge heart, but I don’t put up with any nonsense. I genuinely care about my team and the community we’re building, always striving to create a supportive and inclusive environment. At the same time, I believe in accountability and standing firm on our values. This balance allows me to lead with compassion while also ensuring that we stay focused and committed to our goals.
Of course, I couldn’t do any of this without the incredible support of the rest of the board and our wonderful coaches. They bring their skills, dedication, and passion to help us thrive. Their guidance and teamwork make all the difference as we navigate challenges and celebrate successes together. I’m grateful to work alongside such talented individuals who share the same vision for Badfish Roller Derby!
Our Board members are Slammin de Beers, Cynthia Beers – President, Squirrel, Jennifer Lee – Vice President, Killer Snark, Alie Quistberg – Secretary/Treasurer, Déjà Bruise, Elise Vu – Logistic Officer
Our coaching team is lead by our Head Coach Creepy Taco (Manual Grimaldo). Coaching staff: Grimlynn (Alma Grimaldo), Champaine (Charlene Saddul), Killer Snark (Alie Quistberg), Wild Thing (Ezra Phelps), Bette Danger Eyes (Erin Gipson Ficker), Na’cho Luckiday (Keiana Daniel), Déjà Bruise (Elise Vu)

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We are always recruiting new members! If you’re interested in joining Badfish Roller Derby, you can email us or message us through our website.

If you don’t skate but still want to be involved, there are plenty of ways to help out! You can become a sponsor, make a donation, or even volunteer as a referee or a Non-Skating Official (NSO). Every contribution helps us grow and thrive as a league, and we’d love to have you be a part of our community!

Pricing:

• Monthly dues are $43 per month
• drop in fees are $11

Contact Info:

• Website: http://badfishrollerderby.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badfishrollerderby/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadfishRollerDerby/