Humboldt Roller Derby was founded in February 2007 by Jennifer McMahon, skating under the name "Jenneral Ms. Chief".

Reaching out to others with community sports experience, such as John Fesler and Jerry Nutter of the Humboldt Crabs baseball organization, helped HRD to become successful.

[1][2] Jennifer McMahon also reached out to established roller derby skater Bonnie D.Stroir, who had posted a craigslist ad in the Humboldt Region seeking someone to help her establish a league for her expected move.

[4] It gradually strengthened, and by mid-2010 was able to finish fourth in a tournament hosted by Central Coast Roller Derby.

[5] In April 2010, it was accepted into the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Program,[6] and it became a full member of the WFTDA in January 2012.