They skate fast, hit hard, and wear short skirts, fishnets and punk rock T-shirts.

Women’s roller derby is thriving on the Palouse, with several leagues active in the area. The Rolling Hills Derby Dames, for instance, have skated here for nearly seven years. The league is comprised of around 30 women of all ages and skill levels.

“I love the energy of the bouts,” said Ashley Davie, a Derby Dame who skates under the alter ego Cyanide Siren. “We have a connection to all the girls. We all love skating and hitting each other, and when we get knocked down we get back up because everyone loves roller derby.”

The Derby Dames practice every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at the Gladish Community & Cultural Center. Sunday practices are for new skaters – called “fresh meat” – and are designed to prepare them for competitive bouts.

“I think it offers girls a space where they can find out who they are, make new friends and try out a new sport,” said Derby Dames captain Sarah Jacobs, who skates as CurlsGoneWild.

Davie added, “It’s really basic – like on the first day we learned how to stop.”

Once skaters have completed eight weeks as fresh meat, they move onto the Monday practices, which are intended for the more experienced “bouters.”

Wednesday practices are designed to improve the skaters’ endurance and help them get in shape for bouts.

The Derby Dames compete year-round in the full-contact, flat-track sport.

As the league consists of only one team the Derby Dames often compete with other leagues from the area. Their annual bout in Beasley Coliseum takes place in October, and during the rest of the year they travel throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Montana.

One such league is the Hell’s Canyon Honeys, who hail from Lewiston. The Honeys, another one-team league, are constantly looking for new skaters, said skater Mallory Dudra, who manages their merchandising.

“We’re all about having fun, forming a family and advancing the sport of roller derby,” Dudra said.

Both leagues also regularly participate in community events. The Derby Dames attend the annual Lentil Festival in downtown Pullman, the Palouse Pride Festival in Moscow and several other local events. On July 18 they collected food bank donations at the Concrete River Festival in Colfax.

Additionally they have donated to several charities, including the Humane Society of the Palouse and Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse.

Similarly, the Honeys have participated in several county fundraisers, face-painting booths, and car washes for the Special Olympics, among other local events. Additionally they have raised money for breast cancer awareness, animal shelters and local food banks.

Honeys president Rebecca Lehman said she enjoys being a role model for the younger crowd, noting she stands 6 feet 3 inches tall while wearing skates.

“One of my favorite parts is seeing the little kids look at me and thinking I’m a super hero,” Lehman said. “And they want to grow up to be just like me. It’s pretty cool.”