Last year, my first spring in Cincinnati, I discovered where board people go.

It happened in a park that sprawled for what seemed like miles. Tucked into every nook possible were people of all types - old, tattooed, young, pierced, prim, wild. There were families, babies, grandparents, teenage friends and lovers.

Among them were the kind of athletes who never get to wear professional jerseys, who don't receive super-sized paychecks and who generally don't receive recognition for their skill. They were skateboarders, inline skaters, BMX bikers, break dancers and all sorts of other people who defy gravity.

It was the Mobile Skatepark Series. And it was the last thing I expected to find in the Queen City.

Here was something hip and fresh and new, which is more of a feat than a backside lipslide.

The series returns to Sawyer Point Park for the third year today through Tuesday. The entire event, which runs 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days, is free.

During the weekend, the extreme-sports festival brings in professional skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers, as well as regional talent in break dancing, video games, freestyle rapping, graffiti art and more.

The event brings positive exposure to the area, which is needed. It has an enormous economic impact on downtown - again, desperately needed. It offers something for the young demographic, which is rare. And it brings in some of the world's best extreme athletes, which is just plain cool.

"It's an event that satisfies every piece of our mission," said Leslie Spencer, executive director of Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp.

In 2002, the Mobile Skatepark Series generated more than 10,000 visitors, $8 million combined economic impact and 11 national broadcast segments for the region.

Spencer has received a lot of feedback about the event, most from people who enjoyed the family friendly atmosphere of the unique event.

"Everyone embraces it from the community because it is appealing to every demographic," she said.

It seems the only people who don't win in this situation are the skateboarders.

Sure, local skaters can compete in the amateur competitions and on the pro street course on weekdays during the series. And sure, the event brings well-deserved attention to skateboarding.

But once the professionals finish their kickflips and ollies, local amateurs are hit with an extreme loss.

Skateboarding is not allowed at Sawyer Point.

That's why veteran skater Jay Colvin, 27, describes the Mobile Skatepark Series as "average" at best. "It gives false information about what skating is. It's not all about parks and rules and being confined," he said. "You can't even skate going down the street here."

The Mount Healthy resident visits local skateparks on occasion. But mostly, he lets his wheels go where they want.

"We just keep skating. It doesn't matter," he said. "If you love what you're doing, you're going to do it anyway."

Colvin is someone who loves the sport. He picked up the hobby 16 years ago and hasn't stopped since.

Skating "is about freedom," Colvin said. "You can go out and do what you want and have fun. There aren't any rules."

Perhaps if skaters didn't face punishment for their hobby, some locals like Colvin would be among the professionals performing this weekend.

If the city is going to promote and profit off a sport, residents should have a chance to try it - even long after the Mobile Skatepark Series packs its bags.

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com