IT is a sport that has been around in some form since the 1950s.

But it has gone through many changes ? and many ups and downs. And right now it is back in the limelight.

On Sunday the sport of skateboarding will get its first official recognition when the newly-formed Bermuda Skateboard Association stages an exhibition at its just-completed facility at the Sea Cadets' North Shore, Pembroke property.

A new mini-ramp ? or half-pipe ? has just been constructed as well as a smooth paving area for the flat work.

President of the BSA, David Cooke, said this week that over the past year there have been unofficial gatherings with kids showing off what they can do on their skateboards.

"We have held a few sessions where we brought along portable ramps and had over 50 kids at each of the sessions ? and they were different kids.

"I think there are a lot more kids than anyone realises who love skateboarding in Bermuda. Even the kids who came down to those sessions were surprised by how many showed up. All of them had basically been doing it on their own."

Now they will have their own official facility.

Mr. Cooke, whose son Graham skateboards and who himself has dabbled in the sport, said a group of parents linked up a year ago with the intention of organising the sport.

"The one who started the ball rolling was Cathy West. She got a group of parents together and we basically tried to find a place to skateboard. There is very little space in Bermuda for kids to skateboard ? there are not many flat areas where they can do it without worrying about cars."

After talking to the Sea Cadets about using some space at their facility in Pembroke, it was decided to smooth out their marching ground and construct a ramp."This is what we have been working towards and we have pulled it all together. One of our members had the ramp built and we brought in the special surface that goes on the top of it so there is no splinters and is all weather proof with just the right amount of traction.

"We put up the ramp a few weeks ago and then got the East End Asphalt Company to repave the area where the Sea Cadets do their parading. It had pits in it and was not in great shape.

"We paved it smooth so the kids can do a lot of things on the flat. A lot of kids these days like to do tricks on the flat land and that is why we needed both that and the ramp.

"We are very grateful to the Sea Cadets for letting us use the space. They have just said to us that as long as it doesn't inconvenience them it is okay. They are about doing things for kids and this is a positive activity. The Sea Cadets thought it was a win-win situation."

Mr. Cooke added: "From my own perspective I see a lot more kids getting into it once they have a place to do it. All you need is a board ? it is a sport that doesn't take a lot of money."

The opening day of the facility will be on Sunday starting at 2 p.m. and finishing at 5 p.m.

Mr. Cooke said: "We want to give the kids a chance to go on the ramp. And this will not just be for those kids who are good at skateboarding. We want kids of all abilities ? from the beginner to the advanced ? to come down skate with other kids.

"Some of the older guys will give a bit of a demo so that some of the younger kids can see what they can do eventually with enough practice. I used to do it when I was younger and still do a bit now."

Mr. Cooke said there had been donations to help get the association up and running and "we are also a registered charity".

He added: "This will provide our kids with another activity to do."

The first skateboards started with wooden boxes or boards with roller skate wheels slapped on the bottom. In 1963 skateboarding was at a peak of popularity. Two years later it crashed.

But then in the spring of 1975, skateboarding made an evolutionary move towards the sport that is seen today.

In Del Mar, California a slalom and freestyle contest was held at the Ocean Festival. That day, the Zephyr team showed the world what skateboarding could be. They rode their boards like no one had in the public eye ? low and smooth ? and skateboarding was taken from being a hobby to something serious and exciting.

Skateboarding started to grow again in popularity in the 1990s ? this time with a more raw, edgy, and dangerous attitude. This coincided with the rise of more angry punk music, and the general discontent with the current system that raged throughout this timeframe.

Call it discontent, or call it frustration, but the image of the poor, angry skater punk came to the surface loud and proud. Interestingly, this only helped to fuel skateboarding's popularity. And in 1995, ESPN held its first Extreme Games, in Rhode Island. The first X Games were a huge success and the sport has never looked back.

Since 2000, attention in the media and products like skateboarding video games, children's skateboards and commercialisation have all pulled skateboarding more and more into the mainstream.