Gravity Schmavity

Destination Extreme. Although it may sound like a Death Valley hot spot, it’s really three days of competition in aggressive in-line skating, skateboarding and bicycle freestyle that was recently held at the Seal Beach Pier parking lot.

The sun-craving crowd cheered on the world’s top extreme athletes--some as young as 10, with old-timers peaking at 28--as they competed on two or three courses, depending on their sport.

All spent time on the half pipe, where they dropped in to show off moves, and on a street course, where they maneuvered around launch ramps, rails, stairs, pipes, cement slabs, old cars, file cabinets, sawhorses and handrails. You know, just your everyday obstacles.

Freestyling bicyclers also showed off on “flatland,” a smooth surface where they performed the bus driver (a one-handed bar spin), Superman (hands on the bar, feet off the pedals, nothing resting in the seat) and can-can (kicking). They were airborne for 15 feet during some tricks, while in-line skaters and skateboarders sailed seven to 10 feet high.

Skateboarding--now said to be one of the world’s most popular sports--jazzed the crowd the most, with many onlookers twirling their boards and wishing they could grab a piece of the rail slides.

In-line skaters kicked in with back flips, McTwists and alley-oop 720s. Don’t ask for an explanation--you’ve gotta see it.

The final rounds drew 4,000 people, who enjoyed the contest while grinning for the ESPN cameras (it will air later this month).