MOSES LAKE - The intense, high-contact sport of roller derby has found its way to the Columbia Basin.

The newly founded Moses Lake Bomb Squad women's derby team will begin practicing this month, and organizers say bouts between teams in the region are set to begin this summer.

Carly Garcia, president of the Moses Lake squad, said she started the derby team because she wanted to provide women in the area with another athletic activity.

"I've always been interested in derby so I put it out there and the response has been overwhelming," she said.

Garcia said about 20 women have already showed interest in joining the Moses Lake team. A team of 14 is required in order to skate in competitions, she said.

Garcia said the team will be coached by Clara Hester, of the North Idaho Roller Derby, and Vernica Mount, of the Atomic City Roller Girls, in Richland.

Garcia said she encourages any woman interested in derby to join the squad, regardless of their skill level.

"I've skated all my life but for recreation," she said. "I'm pretty much considered fresh meat, like the rest of the squad."

Garcia said the team's coaches will be in the area on Saturday to meet the squad and teach them the basics of skating.

"Even if you're new to skating, just come and see what it's all about," said Garcia.

The team will practice at the Lakeview Roller Rink in Soap Lake until June, she said.

Practices will then be moved to the Larson Recreation Center roller rink in Moses Lake, said Garcia.

Garcia said a team from Grand Coulee will be the Moses Lake squad's first competitors this summer. They will also face teams from Wenatchee, Richland and Royal City during their season, she said.

Garcia said although the current goal of the derby team is to promote fitness and athleticism among women in the Basin, she eventually wants the sport to grow to include the area's men and youth.

"I want to develop more teams, so eventually there are men's teams, co-ed teams and even youth teams," said Garcia.

Roller derby is growing in popularity around the country, she said, and she hopes to see the same trend in the Columbia Basin.

Garcia said a common misconception about the sport is that it's a violent sport.

"It's definitely a high intensity sport, but it's not violent," she said.

"We don't condone violence and we don't want women to think you can just come on the track and knock out anyone you want to."

Garcia said like any other sport, there are rules rollers must follow.

A roller can be asked to sit out of the competition if they are too rough, she said.

"We're all about being strong and positive role models for other females," said Garcia.

Garcia said anyone wanting more information about the derby team can search for the Moses Lake Bomb Squad on Facebook.