Bellingham Photo Gallery | Roll with it: The Bellingham Betties open fifth season

With all the make-up, sequins, and tights, some might think Roller Derby is a dainty sport. But as anyone who has watched or participated in roller derby can tell you, what happens on that track is not for the faint of heart.

The Bellingham Roller Betties kicked off their fifth season last night with a bout between team Flash (red and blue) and the visiting team from Vancouver, B.C., Public Frenemy (orange and green).

The point of each bout is to earn as many points as possible by breaking through the pack and passing your opponents during each "round." Confused? Don't worry, so were we at first.

"The only way to understand derby is to watch it as much as possible," the Betties say in their seasonal program.

The season's inaugural bout was a double header with all three teams in the Betties league participating (plus Public Frenemy). Public Frenemy won the first battle against Flash with a final score of 186 to 54. The second bout was between the Cog Blockers and Tough Love, with Tough Love winning the bout with a score of 198 to 64.

After each bout, an MVP from each team is named. The four ladies who took home the title this weekend were Kate "Aunt Jam Imma" Harrison from Public Frenemy, Katie "Miata Smackya" Belfield from Flash, Christina "AbraKadaver" Campbell from Tough Love, and Charlotte "Harsh Mellow" Nickel from the Cog Blockers.

Want to learn more about roller derby and the Bellingham Roller Betties? There are five remaning bouts scheduled, one in each month through July.