Season 5, Bout 1: Snake Pit Derby Dames defeated Avalanche Roller Girls of Fernie, BC 195-168 at Kootenai County Fairgrounds Feb. 21. (Photo: Chery Nichols Photograph LLC, for full gallery and opportunity to purchase prints here)

What comes to mind when someone says to you, “I play roller derby?” For the uninitiated, that phrase probably conjures images of the roller derby that was on television on Friday nights in the ’70s – colorfully dressed Amazons whizzing around banked tracks hip-checking one another over the railings, leading to catfights and hair pulling… the female equivalent to professional wrestling. But for the women that participate on one of the several area roller derby teams, it’s nothing like that at all. Well, except for the colorful outfits and even more colorful nicknames. By day, these women are mothers, business owners, teachers, medical professionals, bartenders and photographers – just regular people. But in the evenings and on Saturday nights, they lace up their skates to relieve stress, exercise, compete and join in the camaraderie of one of the nation’s fastest growing amateur sports/Dave Nichols, SR. More here.

Question: Is this a sport that interests you?