Expo shows newest advances in boarding

The Boardriders Expo at The Pyramid will introduce the newest trends and technologies in the snowboarding, skateboarding and wakeboarding industries Saturday and Sunday.

"We are giving away a million dollars worth of stuff," said Boardriders Expo representative Chris May.

Three ski-lift tickets will be given away, and an interactive CD ROM featuring music by Soundgarden will be given away free to everyone who attends the expo.

Numerous companies will have booths featuring what is hot and trendy for the upcoming year.

"Basically, the Boardriders Expo is an auto show for the skate-snowboard enthuisiast or fan," May said. "The booths are going to be really interactive."

All of the companies at the expo will have professionally-trained representatives available to answer questions. Some of the companies involved include Sony, KROQ-FM radio, DVS, ESPN and Tower.

During the expo, many live bands will provide entertainment in between the prospective booth visiting .

"Bands like Head, Homegrown, Dial 7, Joystick and maybe Voodoo Glow Skulls and Agent Orange will play," May said.

In addition to the booths and live bands, there will also be many free giveaways.

A snowboard will be raffled off every hour. An Alaskan Heliboard vacation from Out of Bounds and Adlersheim Lodge is another freebie. And a trip for two to Purgatory, Colo. with airfare and hotel included, is another free prize.

For those that are first-time snowboarders, there is an offer for free board rental and lesson.

"It's a good opportunity for someone who wants to get into snowboarding," May said.

This year's Expo is the first of its kind to let the public get involved, according to May. In the running years before, corporate and company representative were the only ones allowed to get into the Expo.

The price for admission is $10 and the event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For tickets to the Boardriders Expo, call the Admission Network at (800) 678-5440. Further information is available by calling (714) 376-6942. To register for a chance to win a trip, call the Orange County Register Infoline at (714) 550-4636, ext. 3976.