MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Summer is over and the snow will soon be falling, which means it is time trade in the camping gear for a snowboard.
The Marine Corps Community Services outdoor recreation, located at the Main Gym, is the biggest supplier of winter gear to servicemembers on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
The best part about the gear offered at outdoor recreation is that it is free for the first two days.
?We want service members to be able to get out and do as much as they can while they are stationed here,? said Bobby Dillard, outdoor recreation director. ?We know that winter sports can get expensive so we try and help them out with that.?
Outdoor rec has snowboards, skis, boots and anything else you would need to get out and hit the slopes.
?Our gear is in really good condition, we just got in 10 new snowboards,? said Dillard. ?We just hope the people that check the gear out takes care of it so that people after them and enjoy the gear as well.?
The snowboards and skis are not limited to the winter months, residents have already begun checking out gear so they can practice their skills at the indoor snowboarding park located in Hioshima.
?It was great,? said Cpl. Roberto Torres, Combat Visual Information Center combat photographer, ?It saved a lot of money and they hooked me up with everything that I needed.?
The Outdoor Recreation staff is currently preparing the gear for the winter by checking to making sure it is in good condition.
?We want to make sure that all of our gear is ready for the winter and meets the expectations of our customers,? said Dillard.
With all the use the gear receives, damage does occur, but so far the damage has been minimal. When damage does occur or if the gear is not returned on time a fee will be assessed.
?When you check things out, like any other gear, look it over and make sure that there is no damage,? said Dillard. ?That way you don?t get stuck paying for somebody else?s mistakes.?
The Outdoor Recreation is here to help residents in their outdoor activities by saving them money, offering a big selection of gear and a convenient location to pick up and drop off the gear.
?I?m glad that I have this service available to me because it makes it easier to do the things that I want to do,? said Torres.