It was blue skies on October 14, 2011, for the eighth Annual Gear Sale and Swap at Weber State University.

Happy skiers, snowboarders, rock climbers and rafters left the campus with a grin on their face from the heavily discounted items purchased at participating booths.  The event took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the waterfall plaza.

The WSU Outdoor Program led the swap, with multiple community retailers, people selling personal items. Snowbasin and WSU 88.1 radio station were also supporting and selling gear for the event.

The key sponsors were Alpine Sports, Canyon Sports, and Black Diamond.

“Z Works has been a contributor for the past two years,” said Tim Nguyen, assistant coordinator for the Outdoor Program. “We’ve got the Front Pro shop, the folks from G4G, Amer Sports Factory Outlet, and now Recreation Outlet.  All of these retailers support the community and we are just excited to have them here.”

The swap was designed after the Black Diamond Gear Swap in Salt Lake.  They open up the parking lot and people just show up.

“We started that up here,” said Nguyen.  “It has moved around from inside the Union building, then up to the gym parking lot, and then we brought it down here last year.  We decided to just keep it here.  It just works for us.  The flow of traffic, the students, it just works well.  And every year, as it gains momentum.”

The most expensive and discounted item that the Outdoor Program had for purchase was a raft.  It retailed for $2600, and the price tag was discounted to $1300.

Other items to purchase at the swap included snowboards, skis, ski boots, back country skis, snow shoes, kayaks, rock climbing equipment, clothing, hats, gloves and more.

Sarah Rumpsa, an employee for Alpine Sports and first year participant in the event said, “We just sold a Dew Tour snowboard for $60.  We have lots of other snowboards for ridiculously good deals, along with helmets, gloves, goggles, and socks.”

Gary Barsdorf, owner of G4G, explained the items that were for purchase at his booth.

“The popular item is the Swiss bike board; which is like a BMX or mountain bike for the snow,” he said.  “It is great fun to ride and you are not bound into a board.  Every year it gets more and more popular.  It’s been worth our while to come out, we are happy so far and hope to make it even better next year.”

Julius Manubay, a student at WSU, was very excited after stumbling upon the event.

“I think the gear swap is a really awesome thing for discount outdoorsman,” said Manubay.  “I bought this jacket which I’m pretty sure was around $200, and I got it for $40 dollars.  I have money to eat now and stay warm when I go out and snowboard.”

“The gear swap kind of sparks the whole thinking about skiing, getting outside and recreating,” said Nguyen. “With the Outdoor Program, we are just trying to pass along some of our rental equipment which is in great shape and huge discounts for everyone.”