About 75 skateboarders from Carson City, Douglas County, Lake Tahoe and Reno are expected to compete in a contest Saturday at Mills Park, organizers said Wednesday.
The contest is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"It's a growing thing," said Joyce Lancaster, a Carson City special events coordinator who has put on the skateboard contest twice a year for three years.
"It started out with about 40 (skateboarders), but now we expect to have about 75," she said.
With the popularity of the sport comes increased wear and tear on the skateboard facility at Mills Park.
Lancaster said the edges of the skating surface are wearing out. "They can't do tricks as well," she said of the competitors.
Plans are afoot for the city to renovate the skateboard park during the winter so that it will be ready for the spring contest, Lancaster said.
About $21,000 is earmarked to install metal coping along the edges of the skating surface either this winter or before March, depending on the weather, said Scott Fahrenbruch, city parks operations chief.
The metal coping allows skateboarders to "ride the rails," as Fahrenbruch put it, without the edges wearing out so quickly.
Competitors are required to bring their own helmets, knee and elbow pads. Contests will be held for skateboarders 8 years old and younger, 9 to 12 years, 13 to 15, 16 to 18 and 19 and older. Prizes will be award in all age groups.
Advance sign ups can be made at 702 Skateboard and Snowboard Shop, 119 Clearview Drive, Carson City. A $5 fee for all competitors will be charged.
IF YOU GO
What: Skateboard contest
Where: Mills Park, Carson City
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday