Skateboarders Return to Roots With Park Event.

In 1978, Steve Alba competed at the first professional pool skateboarding competition in Spring Valley, Calif., and won. On Sunday, in the final event of the X Games, Alba, 46, competed on the skateboard park Legends course, featuring pool elements, and finished ninth. With familiar faces and familiar course designs, skateboarding has come full circle. Added to the X Games last year, the skateboard park event has helped return skateboarding to its roots -- spawned in the deep ends of empty swimming pools -- while embracing the fastest-growing segment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]