Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — If you can't do it in baggy shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt it probably doesn't belong in this weekend's Steamboat Sports Camp.

The camp is billed as a fun weekend of alternative sporting contests and activities.

But for the group of young Tony Hawk wannabes hanging out at the skate park Thursday, skateboarding is anything but alternative.

"This is the only thing to do here in Steamboat Springs in the summer," local skateboarder Charlie Peddie said.

Peddie and his friends all plan on competing in Saturday's skateboarding contest, which is open to inline skaters as well. The Steamboat Sports Camp will also include remote controlled car racing on Saturday and BMX racing on Sunday. The camp will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days.

Organizer Cassandra Krause said the event, which is being co-sponsored by the City of Steamboat Springs, is a great chance to highlight some of Steamboat's lesser-known sports.

"Parks and Recreation isn't just about baseball and skiing any more," Krause said. 'This camp features all kinds of different sports, which are taking place right here in Steamboat Springs."

In fact, dragging their sport into the mainstream seemed to be the last thing on the minds of the teenage boys who were practicing their art on the wood and metal obstacles of the skate park. For these young men the chance to nail a backside boardslide, a kick flip or an ollie shove it while going head-to-head with friends will be the best part of this Saturday's contest.

"It's fun to watch other people and see their stuff," skateboarder Eric Mahan said. "Normally we just free-skate, so we don't get the chance to push one another."

Mahan said there are plenty of competitions for skateboarders here in the summer. The Click sponsors a series of three or four events every summer.

But this one is different because the city's Parks and Recreational Services Department is supporting it.

"It's nice because it shows they have an interest in skateboarding," Mahan said. "I think they are finding out that there are tons of skateboarders here in Steamboat."

Parks Supervisor Ernie Jenkins said acting, as a sponsor was a great way to show that the department cares about the skate park and the skateboarders who use it.

"Basically we wanted to co-sponsor the event to show the skateboarders that we support them," Jenkins said. "It's nice to have a group of users who truly care about the park and what happens to it."

The Steamboat Sports Camp will kick off on Saturday at 11 a.m. with registration. Krause thinks the first competition will begin sometime around noon. There will be remote controlled car racing at the same time.

On Sunday the action will move to the BMX Park just a few hundred yards to the west. Athletes should show up for registration at 11 a.m. and the competition is scheduled to start at noon.

The events will also include live music provided by "2 Star Day", as well as, safety checks for both bikes and skateboards.

For more information about the events please contact Cassandra Krause at 870-3286.

To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209

or e-mail jrussell@steamboatpilot.com