The Terminal City Rollergirls are set to kick off a new season April 10th, and silly you, you didn't even know it. Phew, good thing you're reading this -- now you won't have to miss out. Terminal City is the local rollerderby league, if you didn't know it, and it's comprised of 3 teams of 15-20 of the hardest-hitting, fastest skating -- not to mention coolest -- girls around.

Rollergirl Andrea, better known as Andi Struction on the rink, acknowledges that there's a certain preconceived image of what rollergirls are. They're the bad girls with tattoos, they smoke, swear and hang out with guys with hotrods. And it's true, there are some of those in the league. But there is also a range of 20 to 40-something aged women that might surprise you. There are girlie girls and stay-at-home moms, teachers and construction workers. While not every rollergirl embraces the stereotype image, and the league doesn't want to capitalize on it, Andi admits there is a "certain kind of girl" who likes to put on a short skirt and smash into one another and generally kick ass with what she calls "grass roots sexiness".

While this is not the roller derby that your parents might remember from the 60's, 70's and 80's -- culminating in fire pits, alligators, sagging ratings and eventual obscurity -- it's not all about short skirts and tattoos either. In 2001, a group of women in Austin, Texas started playing roller derby again, their way. It was a gritty and real, hard-hitting sport that required true athleticism. A&E filmed it, airing the reality show, "Rollergirls", and in 2005, Michelle Lamoureux (aka Micki Mercury) of Vancouver was inspired by what she saw on her TV. She loved to roller skate and put up an ad on Craigslist in search of like-minded women. From that first meeting, the Terminal City Rollergirls was born.

Now 3 teams strong, the league seeks to strengthen its rookies and keep pushing the game and its profile forward as it goes into its fourth season -- it's a big one, says Andi. For the last two years in a row, the Bad Reputations have taken home the championship. The Riot Girls have been training hard, their minds set on taking the champs down; while the Faster Pussycats, the underdogs this year, are excited about their rookies -- endowed with skills like they've never seen before -- and plan to give the other two teams a run for their money.

At a bout, expect full contact, bone-crunching athleticism from athletes called jammers, blockers and pivots. There are injuries every year -- this isn't a game for a girl who can't handle a bruised knee. Part performance and all sport, the rollergirls play hard and play to the audience, with unforgettable names like Cinder Hella and Autumn von Rotten. There's a DJ, mascots, cheerleaders, a beer garden and half time show. It's an event unlike anything else you've experienced. What other sport features women in short skirts commanding a sexy vibe and sheer athleticism in the same place? (Okay, maybe beach volleyball.)

If you want to go further than just sitting on the sidelines cheering on the girls, the league holds try-outs once a year in September. As long as you're a girl who can handle basic skating and aren't afraid to get a little dirty, you've got a chance. If you get picked, you'll join the ranks of the other "Fresh Meat" in the intensive roller girl training boot camp. If you make the cut, you'll be invited to draft night, or as the girls call it, "Derby Christmas." Then you'll be training with the roller girls 2-3 days a week to sharpen your skills for next season. And you'll have the opportunity to play against other teams all over the northwest -- from Alberta to Oregon.

Terminal City Rollergirls' new season kicks off at Kerrisdale Arena, April 10th. Riot Girls vs. Bad Reputations, Faster Pussycats vs. Atomic City (out of TriCities, WA). For more info visit their website.

Photos: Nicolas Charest for RollerGirl.ca