According to a new survey by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) in America, snowboarding was still the fastest growing sport in 2001.

Snowboarding, which grew 31% in 2000, increased by another 23% in 2001 to a total of 5.3 million participants.

Since 1991, snowboarding has more than tripled. This growth has impacted alpine skiing, which has dropped 30% in the same 10-year period.

No. 2 on the list of fastest growing activities was ice hockey, which showed a 13% increase. Kayaking/rafting (12%) and scuba diving (10%) also showed double-digit increases. Skateboarding, which showed the second-greatest increase in participation in 2000, remained on the upswing with a 6% and ranks 16th.

Rounding out the top 10 with the greatest percentage increases were sailing (10%); snorkeling (9.5%); canoeing (9%); scooter riding (9%); tennis (8%); and table tennis (8.6).

[This information is contained in NSGA’s Sports Participation in 2001 survey. A complete listing of all 65 sports, fitness and recreational activities in 2001 can be found on the NSGA website, www.nsga.org]

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