May’s BAD Skater of the Month is an individual who has gone above and beyond since she joined the league.
Pomba #242 (the skater formerly known as Hakunama Pomba) could be BAD Skater of the Month every month of the year! Pomba is the epitome of a team player whose hard work on and off the track help keep BAD rolling strong. As a blocker/pivot for Berkeley and a 2016 travel team skater, she clocks in nearly as many hours as a full-time job with her Insurance Liaison and co-Events Manager positions — along with other league tasks she picks up throughout the month. Often one of the first skaters to arrive and last to leave when volunteering at BAD’s games and outreach events, you can give her a fist bump when she reps Berkeley’s hippies July 23rd at the Craneway Pavilion in their game against the San Francisco ShEvil Dead.
Name: Pomba
What’s the story behind your derby name?: It’s my last name.
How long have you been playing roller derby? : About 3 years
How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD? : 3 kick-ass years. Started as a fan, then signed up for a BAD led “learn-to-skate” clinic and the rest is history.
What league jobs do you currently hold? What committees are you involved with?: CM of Events, WFTDA Insurance Liaison, Team Gold Captain, part time league trainer, and I help out wherever possible.
What’s your skate set-up?: Custom carbon Bonts with the Infinity plate, and Bont FXX wheels. Best setup I’ve ever had.
What is your favorite non-derby sport or cross-training activity?: I sweat hard with my Personal Trainer (who is a retired BAD All-Star) a couple times a week. She keeps me strong, focused, and reminds me to have fun.
Share your favorite derby memory/moment of 2016 (so far).: When I found out I was selected to be on Team Gold. I am constantly humbled and reminded of the hard work that has been put in by my teammates both past and present each time I step on the track. The Gold Helmet represents so much, including years of work and I am grateful each day to have been given the opportunity to wear it.
Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.: “I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm
Name your favorite heroines in World history. I’ve got too many to list.
Your favorite food and drink? Pizza with a Brotein shake on the side.
Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction? Right now, Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. She’s like 6 years old and already shutting down the mansplaining.
Who you think is the most despicable fictional villain? Can I say Donald Drumpf? I like to pretend he’s not real.
If you weren’t doing your current occupation, what would you want to do? I’d be a Gastroenterologist who specializes in inflammatory diseases of the bowels.