'We have each other's back'

SANDPOINT — Back in the 1940s, roller derby became a popular sport among U.S. women, featuring scripted outcomes akin to professional wrestling. The sport was watched by millions of spectators, including some television broadcasts, with the entertainment element far superseding the actual athleticism.

Today, the sport has experienced a huge revival in popularity, and while the rules are essentially the same, this is not your parent’s roller derby. Modern bouts are fast-paced, physically demanding and hard-hitting, with nary a script to be followed.

A group of Sandpoint women have joined the legions of athletes taking up one of the fastest growing female sports, and will be in action on Saturday at the Coeur d’Alene Tour d’Pain at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. The first of many bouts starts at 8 a.m.

The sport features four blockers skating laps around a track, trying to propel their team’s lone jammer past the other team’s blockers for a point. Suffice it to say, the sport is physical in nature, with plenty of bodies slamming into each other at high speeds.

Part of the sport’s allure is the empowering feeling it gives to women from all walks of life.

“There is no one kind of derby girl, they come in all shapes and sizes and they all fit,” says Rose Preston, who skates for the Venemous Vixens all-star team. “I love the strength and confidence that it gives to women. We have each other’s back, no matter what, and at the end of the day, we’re women doing derby.”

One of the more entertaining aspects is the derby names, each of which comes with a back story. Tricia Hoover, who plays on the Hissfits, is nicknamed “Hot Wheels Hoover,” dubbed so by her 4-year-old son.

Julie Hinchliff, who skates for the Vixens, goes by “Hell Cat,” which is what her husband calls her, and “Honey Rider,” named after a Bond character. Like many, she is drawn to the physicality of the sport.

“I love hittin’ bitches,” she explains. “We’re sexy girls kicking ass and taking names.”

Preston goes by the pseudonym “Belle Tabitch,” while Stacie Riffe goes by “Mamageddon,” since everyone calls her mama. The purpose of the names is to conjure up a tough persona, while paying homage to the original nature of the sport.

Devyn Miller is nicknamed “Susie Homebreaker,” Melissa Anderson “Flamin’ Feather,” and Bridgette Kohal skates under the name “Gidge You Some.”

“My nickname is Gidge and I like that song ‘gotta get you some,’” she explains. “Everyone gets a giggle out of that that knows me.”

For Miller, it’s the first time in her life she’s played a sport competitively, pushing herself to prove that she can do it. The women travel to Coeur d’Alene for practices at least once a week, and work on conditioning all the time to meet the rigorous demands.

“I’ve dropped 12 pant sizes since I started,” says Miller. “I feel like a new person.”

For more information on the local teams, or to buy tickets to the Tour d’Pain, visit “www.snakepitrollerderby.com.”