PAYOFF FOR PADS; SKATERS EARN REWARDS FOR WEARING GEAR.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Boys spent Tuesday speeding up and down the bowls and ramps at the new Santa Clarita Skatepark, risking wipeouts without a thought.

But only a few wore more than helmets to protect themselves, despite a city sign posted at the entrance that requires helmets, kneepads and elbow pads.

``They get in the way,'' said Ricky Nilos, 17, a student at Canyon High School. ``I'll wear elbow pads or kneepads under my pants sometimes. But I always wear a helmet.''

And Matt Waugh, 10, a student at Stevenson Ranch Elementary, said he stopped wearing elbow pads because he got a rash on the inside of his arms from them.

But after hearing that the city will randomly reward skaters wearing all the gear with gift certificates starting Monday, Matt and his friends were ready to accept a little annoyance. The program is being called ``Catch Kids Being Good,'' and city staff members will hand out the certificates at any time to anyone they see following the rules.

``Oh, cool,'' was Matthew Johnston's reply. Matthew, a Meadows Elementary School student, was wearing a helmet and kneepads, and wasn't too concerned about his elbows.

``Most people don't fall, but I guess they should wear the pads,'' he said.

And Nolan Barickman, an 11-year-old student at Valencia Valley Elementary, was ready to go home and get his gear if it meant increasing his chances of getting a certificate.

``I'm gonna start wearing my pads,'' he told a friend.

That's exactly the type of response that administrators with the Parks Department were hoping for, Recreation Supervisor Jodi Jones said.

Jones said city staff members wanted to come up with a positive way of encouraging skaters to wear the gear. And local sporting goods shops were more than willing to help out, she said.

The city has collected 10 $20 gift certificates to Val Surf, 12 fingerboard toys or $2 coupons for Wheelz, 10 certificates from Billy's Ski and Surf for 10 percent off, and everything from TY-shirts to 10-percent-off certificates to Waterdog.

``They've been so supportive of the skate park,'' Jones said. ``So far, some have said, if you run out, let us know. We'll continue it until the word gets out to wear the gear.''

The city is in a difficult position when it comes to the rules at the skate park.

State legislation passed last year released municipalities from liability for risky sports such as skateboarding and in-line skating. It was designed to allow cities to build skate parks.

As a result, though, the city cannot charge a fee or enforce the rules without accepting responsibility - and liability, city Public Information Officer Gail Ortiz said.

``If we enforce the rules we're liable,'' Ortiz said. ``A lot of kids are using it - we get several hundred kids out there on a given weekend day. We want to make sure it's safe.''

The city also wants to remind visitors to treat the park with respect, and that means following all the other rules: no bicycles, no graffiti, no litter, and be accommodating to skaters of all levels and sizes.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Ten-year-olds Matt Waugh, left, and Adam Miller, both of Valencia, can earn gift certificates if they wear full protective gear.

(2) Skaters work on their tricks Tuesday at the new Santa Clarita Skatepark in Canyon Country.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News