Gym class just got action-packed.

Nose grind to fakie. Tail whip. Head-high set with 10 second intervals. Sound like the scoring calls of the summer X Games? They could actually be descriptions of your next gym class.

While basketball, field hockey and baseball are still staples of the American gym class (yawn), action sports like surfing, skating and BMX are quietly appearing alongside the traditional course offerings. In Southern California -- arguably the U.S. hub of surf and skate culture --extracurricular skate clubs and surf teams are not only cropping up as part of high school activities, but also as new competitive teams that bridge individual performance with team efforts.

California Livin'
Beach towns like San Clemente and Huntington Beach have had active surf teams on and off for years . But this past spring, the greater SoCal area also saw the arrival of the California High School Skateboarding Club (CHSSC) -- the first high school skate teams since the days of Dogtown -- and before skating became what it is today. The brainchild of Jeff Stern, CHSSC was created to give local skaters a way to showcase what they've got for potential sponsors as they sharpen their skills and work as a team –- well, sort of. According to recent reports on the club's launch, the skaters weren't so thrilled by the formalized laws and by-laws book that Stern & co. created to underpin the activities. Instead, the skaters appoint a team captain, and function more like an informal skate crew -- which is what they are anyway. Although their first season ever just finished in June 2007, other high schools around the country are already inquiring about creating their own teams. Reflecting the league's growth potential, Stern's changing its name to the NHSSA (National High School Skateboard Association) as part of his plan to take it national in 2008.

Beyond California
Skating and other action sports are making their way to high schools as an official activity well beyond the borders of California. In Allendale Township, Michigan, for example, the efforts of one high school student and to update the school's phys ed program led to the creation of the high school's own skate ramp. The school's principal, Chuck Bailey, even went on to help organize a local skate competition which -- similar to CHSSC -- not only further engages students at local schools, but also offers skaters a chance to get public exposure.

Further east across the country, at a high school near Pittsburgh, PA, the phys. ed department has created an entire 'Lifetime Activities' department that features its own climbing wall, nearby mountain bike trails and year-round outdoor adventure trips like caving, white water rafting and bike trips. While the LA department at Allegheny High was first created with a federal grant in 1974, according to Program Director Eric Wanner, it's expanded over the years as student interest grew and evolved.

"I think with team sports becoming so intense and year-round as they are, kids are looking for other options when they're out of that life[style,]" he said.

Action Sports Are Trendy
Wanner's not the only one who's seeing that trend. According to American Sports Data, high school students are increasingly reaching for their skateboards and BMX bikes than their softball gloves or footballs. The trend, ASD asserts, reflects a higher premium teens place on individual achievement and activities than team efforts -- not to mention an increasing need to de-stress and are starting to reflect sport trends and start creating more diverse offerings that let students learn and compete outside of the team structure.

Not only are many team sports in decline, but apparently, so are gym class participation rates. The ASD cites a study that found that in 1991, high school gym classes had a 42% participation rate. By 1997, though, that rate had dropped to 27%. With teen obesity rates up and phys. ed remaining as a requirement, what's a school to do?

If they're smart, they'll start giving you gym credits for skating with your friends.