Alternative sports attracting pre-teens in increasing numbers

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association's first-ever segment report, "Teens & Sports in America," pre-teens are more actively involved in sports than ever, increasing by 14 percent between 1990 and 2000 to 24.6 million participants.

Alternative sports, such as inline skating and skateboarding, may be largely responsible. Nearly 12 million kids ages 6 to 11 laced up inline skates, a substantial increase from 1.2 million 10 years ago. The number of snowboarders ages 6 to 17 increased 180 percent in the past decade, and the number of mountain bikers in that age group rose 92 percent.

For teenagers, basketball is the most popular team sport and has the most cross-gender appeal. More than 11 million teens hit the hoops. Bowling topped the list among teens as the most popular individual sport, with more than 9 million participants.

Juggling — as in schedules — didn't make any lists.