2011 X Games Set for Shanghai

The KIA X Games are once again scheduled for Shanghai. They are scheduled from April 29 through May 2. The X Games are made up of four categories of events. These include the BMX Free style biking, skateboarding, aggressive in line roller skates and motocross. This article looks at each one of these events.

BMX Free Style
The Free Style evolved from the biking motocross racing. 1984 saw the first free style being done. It evolved into a sponsored event in 1986. Sponsorship began pouring in at that time. It has since become a sizable extreme sport.

Skateboard
Skateboards hit the shelves in 1959. Kids were looking for a way to do tricks away from the surfs of surfboards. Soon kids were trying different tricks. Four skills in skateboarding include the aerial, the invert, the ollie and the kickflip.

Aggressive In LIne
Although a form of skating have been around for 300 years, it wasn't until 1995 that in line went extreme. Today, it ranks as the fifth largest participatory sport in the USA. It is number one among males 6 to 17 years of age.

Motocross
This form of racing really took off after WWII. It really took off in the 80's and was added as an extreme sport in the 90's. "Big Air" is a set of tricks performed with three jumps from a dirt ramp that cover at least 60 feet.

Prize money is given from first to tenth in three of the above. Money amounts go from $8000 for first to $500 for tenth.

ESPN will cover the event on Saturday through Monday. Each viewing will run about two hours in length.