Downtown Ventura merchants have their fingers crossed. They hope the potentially thousands of action-sports fans who soon will pour into the city to watch professional surfing and skateboarding will stay for the food, fun and hospitality.

As 50 athletes prepare to descend on Ventura for the first Ultimate Boarder competition, the city’s downtown business community has organized a full- on block party and a slew of events and deals aimed at maximizing the economic impact of the surge in visitors.

Billed as “the triathlon of a new generation,” Ultimate Boarder pits athletes against each other in snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. The first competition of its kind, the contest kicks off with snowboarding in Squaw Valley on April 12 before coming to Ventura April 16 to 19 for surfing and skateboarding.

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