When transportation money was cut earlier this year, physical education teachers at Chavez Middle School in Oceanside decided to try to find a sport that wouldn't require busing to other schools but would interest as many students as possible.

They think they've found it in skateboarding.

Christian Armon, a teacher at the school, started a skateboarding program about a month ago. So far, it's been a huge success, he said.

As many as 30 students meet Armon at Melba Bishop Park three times a week to skate for a couple of hours. Armon said he is able to teach students new tricks, encourage them to keep active and connect with them in a way he can't often do during class. He has been skateboarding for 20 years.

Sixth-grader Tyler Gebo said he wanted to learn how to skate after watching videos of professional skater Tony Hawk. The club has helped him improve, he said.

"I still can't do a lot of tricks, but I am getting more courage," he said. "It's a really good experience."

If it weren't for the after-school program, Tyler said, he'd probably be sitting on the couch in front of his television.

The program ---- more than a club, but not quite a team ----is reaching students, mostly boys, who wouldn't normally be interested in sports or other extracurricular activities, Armon said.

"I'm getting access to a lot of kids that people normally look at as outsiders.. ," he said.

Some students in the program could be at risk of getting into trouble after school or hanging out with gangs, Armon said. The skate program help keep them safe, he said.

Originally, the school tried to start a cross-country team, which didn't take off, said Keith Howard, athletic director. Students flocked to the skateboarding program, he said.

Although Chavez and other schools have had skateboarding clubs that meet at lunch to talk about the sport, this is the first time any Oceanside Unified School District campus has had a full-blown sports program like this, Armon said.

Even students who aren't signed up for the program often show up to the skate park, which helps get them more connected to school, he said.

Armon said he hopes the program spreads to other schools so they can have competitions.

"Hopefully, this will be something that will continue to grow," he said. "I think the potential is endless."

Call staff writer Stacy Brandt at 760-901-4009.