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ABSTRACT
There are over 10 million people in the United Kingdom aged over 65, a figure predicted to double by 2050. Despite calls for the outdoors to be a focus for health-related physical activity younger adults still tend to be the predominant users of this resource. In an attempt to understand how older adults aged 65+ relate to outdoor adventure sports, data from purposive samples of rock climbers from the north of England (n = 8) and sea kayakers from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (n = 5) were gathered using focus groups and targeted semi-structured interviews. Analysis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and critical friends showed clear links to theory and highlights the notion that older adults with life course commitments to adventurous ‘serious leisure’ savor the opportunities afforded by growing older. Furthermore, they reject the constant ‘pathologization’ of the ageing process, emphasising instead its positive and meaningful aspects.
Notes on contributors
Mark Hickman is from the School of Sport and Wellbeing at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). His research interests include the social gerontology of adventure, females and adventure sports, and expedition leadership in remote environments.
Peter Stokes is Professor of Sustainable Management, Marketing and Tourism at the University of Chester. He has been visiting professor and an academic advisor at universities in France, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Vietnam, Morocco, China, India and Dubai.
Sean Gammon is from the School of Management at UCLan where his research includes serious leisure, and the relationship between sport and tourism.
Colin Beard is Professor and National Teaching Fellow at Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University. His specialisms include teaching excellence, learning and development, people management, and critical thinking.
Allison Inkster is from the School of Sport and Wellbeing at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). His research interests include the social gerontology of adventure, females and adventure sports, and expedition leadership in remote environments.