For anyone in the market for sports equipment, whether looking to start skiing or needing a new Frisbee, Kenai Central High School will have the best deals in town Saturday morning.
The KCHS cross-country ski team is hosting its annual sports swap this weekend. Gear can be dropped off starting Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and then again from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday.
Customers are invited to shop the swap from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Payment is by cash or check only.
“One person’s junk is another person’s treasure,” said Mike Bergholtz, a ski team booster club member. “Especially for sporting goods. People that are just starting off, they just want to try it and see if they like it. So it’s a perfect opportunity for them to get gear.”
Twenty percent of all of the sales from the day will go to the ski team, while the other 80 percent goes to the item’s seller.
“A great deal of people come in having no idea what some stuff is worth,” Bergholtz said. “It is up to them to decide what they want to sell it for, but we have people there that can help lead them in the right direction.”
Not willing to part with the old skis yet? The sports swap is open to any and all recreational goods.
“Since the ski team is holding it, people think it is a ski swap. … It’s really any sporting goods. We have anything from Frisbees to backpacks, an array of anything and everything that comes in,” Bergholtz said.
But for those in the market for skis, there will be experts on hand to help find the perfect fit and address ski, binding and boot compatibility.
“We’ll have experienced skiers there to help people pick out skis to whatever level you want,” Bergholtz said. “Whether it’s classic or skate, we’ll size them for you. We’ll have all kinds of boots just to try out and see what’s going to best fit you.”
For any middle-schoolers looking to get into skiing for the first time, Bergholtz recommends getting to the swap a little on the earlier side.
“Usually those are the ones that go first, the kids skis,” he said.
Wilderness Way and Beemun’s will also be bringing some inventory to the swap, both new and used.
“It’s a really fun event,” Bergholtz said. “It’s a great way to get involved in the community. Skiing is huge for the community, especially in winter. I know so many people out there that do not enjoy winters here. I am a wholehearted believer that the reason people don’t enjoy winter is that they don’t get out there.”
Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com.
