Joan Weston

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Joan Weston or Joanie Weston (January 20, 1935 – May 10, 1997), known as the Blonde Bomber, Blonde Amazon, Golden Girl, and Roller Derby Queen, was a U.S. athlete and notable personality in the sport of roller derby.

1 Early years
2 The Bay Bomber years
3 Later years
4 External links

[edit] Early years

Weston was born in Huntington Beach, California in 1935. While playing softball for Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, California, Weston once hit eight home runs in a single game.

[edit] The Bay Bomber years

In 1954, Weston joined Roller Derby, becoming a member and later captain of the San Francisco Bay Bombers. Known as "The Blonde Bomber", "the Blonde Amazon", and "the Roller Derby Queen", she appeared on 19 consecutive all-star teams in that sport, and was the highest-paid female athlete in the 1960s and 1970s.

Joan always skated as the distaff hero of the sport, no matter what league or team she appeared with. She remains the most beloved of all historical roller derby stars. Her long-time rivals on the track included Ann Calvello, Sandy Dunn, Jan Vallow, and Margie Lazlo.

Weston was also involved in surfing and canoeing. In 1962 she won the Hawaii canoe outrigger championship.

The 1972 film Kansas City Bomber, starring Raquel Welch, was inspired by (but not based on) Joanie Weston.

Joan later married Nick Scopas who was also a professional Roller Derby Skater.