It comes with a warning. It is immediate and with no room for interpretation.

"There will be hitting involved."

Welcome to Roller Derby 101, an introduction to the sport courtesy of Pacific Roller Derby. Currently, the league is for women 18 and older, but recently recruiting has begun for "fresh meat" — the term for novices — as well as for females ages 6 through 17 for the inaugural Youth Roller Derby League. And the board recently voted to pursue creating a men’s league.

For those of a certain age, roller derby was the original WWE, made-for-TV reality show where fake met fists with spectacular "whips" and even more spectacular flips over the rails.

Tickets were a premium at the old Civic Auditorium in the 1950s and ’60s. Who didn’t want to be Ralphie Valladares, Danny Reilly, Judy Sowinski or Alohalinda Villanueva? Wouldn’t, couldn’t wait to watch the Los Angeles Thunderbirds either live or week-old tape delay?

The talk that the sport could debut in the 2020 Olympics seems heretical. But it is true. Roller derby has gone mainstream and legit … even if the skater nicknames skirt the boundaries of double entendre politely.

"It’s a fast-growing popular sport," Pacific Roller Derby skater Courtney Edwards said. "It could become a collegiate sport and then maybe the Olympics.

"Yes, it is more extreme, could be in the X-Games, but a lot of skill involved. Once you get over the thought that you’re going to get hit, the focus is on the game. It’s physical, there’s injuries but the rules and equipment keep it safe. There’s strategy and skill. I guess you could say it’s gone from WWE to serious sport. But you still keep the flash."

Some 80 women signed up for the first training session earlier this month with clinics from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. the next two Saturdays at Kamiloiki Park in Hawaii Kai.

Betti Ayivi-Ga Tobassa’s fascination and inspiration came after watching the 2009 movie "Whip It." She said she wasn’t athletic growing up but has since lost over 100 pounds, in part due to putting to on skates.

"At one point, I was scared of getting hurt, but now that I’ve gotten hurt, it just wants me want to get back and make sure it doesn’t happen again," she said. "You learn to fall correctly.

"I always wanted to be on a team, but I didn’t have the athletic ability. Having the younger ones … it’s part of giving them the same reasons I joined. They are part of a group of strong women, no matter what shape, size or ability. It’s empowerment."

Sydney Edwards began coming along with her mother Courtney to bouts a few years ago. The 12-year-old still does gymnastics, "but this can be more fun at times," she said. "It’s different and I don’t like doing things everyone else does.

"It’s been fun doing something together."

"I like that it’s not a ‘girlie’ sport," added 12-year-old Serenah Browne. "My mom started skating and I wanted to see what it was like. I’m a jammer and I like to block. It’s been fun."

It’s safe as well. Studies have shown that there are fewer injuries than football or soccer.

For the free clinics, most equipment is provided.

Next competition

The next Pacific Roller Derby competition is Saturday’s Horrific Hideaway Scrimmage, a Halloween-themed event between the Smashing Pumpkins and Bad Black Kitties. It is at the Hideaway Club at Kalaeloa. Doors open at 3 p.m with competition at 4 p.m. Admission is $7, $5 for students and those with valid military I.D. There is no admission charge for ages 12 and under.

REC CENTER

International flavor in lacrosse tourney

The 2012 Hawaii Invitational Lacrosse Tournament, featuring teams from Japan, Canada, Israel and the mainland, as well as professional players from the Major League Lacrosse, will be held Oct. 26-28 at Kapiolani Park.

About 40 teams are expected to compete in three men’s divisions — elite (18-and-over), masters (33-and-over) and grandmasters (44-and-over) — and one women’s open division. For upcoming schedules and information, go to www.hawaiilacrosse.com.

Volleyball tournament benefits 2 schools

The Rising Phoenix Jaycees Spikes for Tykes Volleyball Tournament, benefiting two public schools, will be held all day on Saturday at the Manoa District Park Gym.

The tournament, with more than 24 teams and 190 participants, starts at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Kalakaua Middle School and Moanalua High School, based on an online vote. For more information, including possible team registration (there is a waiting list) at a cost of $20 per player, visit spikesfortykes.org.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

SATURDAY

AUTO RACING

Kalaeloa Cruise Night & Smash Out Cancer Demo Derby: 3 p.m., Kalaeloa Raceway Park. kalaeloaracewaypark.com.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Hilton Honors Challenge: U.S. vs. China; men, 1 p.m.; women, 2 p.m., Duke Kahanamoku Beach.

BIATHLON

MCBH Dash & Splash: 7 a.m., MCB Hawaii. 254-7590.

BMX

Island BMX: 3 p.m. registration, 4 p.m. racing. Sandbox track, Sand Island. islandbmx.org.

FUTSAL

Hawaii Street Soccer: Pick-up games, 5 p.m., Ala Wai Park. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.

LAWN BOWLS

Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., HLBC Clubhouse, Ala Moana Park. honolululawnbowls.com.

ROLLER DERBY

Pacific Roller Derby: Horrific Hideaway Scrimmage, 4 p.m., Barbers Point. pacificrollerderby.com.

RUNNING

Day of Hope 5K & 10K: 7 a.m., Four Seasons, Wailea. dayofhopemaui.com.

Honoka’a 5K, 30K, Half Marathon: 5:30 a.m., Honoka’a Sports Complex. race360.com.

STANDUP PADDLING

Lanikai Surf Festival: 2.4 miles, registration, 7 a.m., Kai Olena beach access. Race, 8 a.m. 478-7973.

SUNDAY

AUTO RACING

SCCA Autocross: Registration, 7 a.m., Aloha Stadium.sccahawaii.org.

BIATHLON

Peaman Trash & Dash: 8 a.m., Kailua-Kona. 938-2296.

CRICKET

Honolulu Cricket Club: 10:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.

FUTSAL

Hawaii Street Soccer: Pickup games, 5 p.m., Sunset Beach Elementary. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.

KAYAKING

Hui Waa Kaukahi: Ewa Beach to Kahe, 13 miles. Meet at Ewa Beach Park, 8 a.m.; launch, 9 a.m. huiwaa.org.

Hui Waa Kaukahi: EZ Glider Kahe to Ko Olina and back, 2 miles. 10 a.m. launch. huiwaa.org.

POLO

Honolulu Polo Club: 3 p.m., Waimanalo Polo Grounds. honolulupolo.com.

RUNNING

Komen Hawaii Race for the Cure: 5K, 7 a.m., Kapiolani Park.

SIGN ME UP

AUTO RACING

SCCA Rallycross: Oct. 27, Kalaeloa Raceway Park. kalaeloaracewaypark.com.

BMX

Trunk or Treat Halloween Race: Oct 27. Registration, 4 p.m.; racing, 5 p.m. Sandbox track, Sand Island. islandbmx.org.

KARATE

Hawaii Martial Arts Karate Group: Registration for Oct. 27 Autumn Tournament at Manoa Valley District Park 7:30-:8:30 a.m. Oct. 27. $25. Tournament starts at 9 a.m. with competition in kumite, kata, kobudo, 3-person synchronized kata. All styles accepted. Information: Eric Marn, 371-7670.

TRAIL RUNNING

XTERRA Kapalua Runs: 10K, 5K and 1K (10 and under), 9 a.m., Oct. 27, Ritz-Carleton Maui. xterraplanet.com/aui/mauiTrailRun.html.

VOLLEYBALL

Lanikai Athletic Club Volleyball: Ages 8-11 coed season starting Oct. 3, Kokokahi YMCA, play Tuesdays & Fridays. Girls 15-18 tryouts, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 6, Le Jardin Academy. Accepting applications from Players U12-U18 girls, U13-U18 boys. lanikaiathletics.com.