Overview
adventure sports
Quick Reference
A term widely used but rarely defined, relating to broad and imprecise categories of outdoor activity and what are also referred to as lifestyle sports or activities characterized by elements of risk. While some activities—such as white-river rafting—combine adventure and risk, many others—such as supervised climbing and canoeing in shallow waters—entail minimal risk or danger. Rather like theme-park rides, the latter type offers a sense of adventure with virtually no risk; but the category ‘adventure’ remains attractive to promoters and consumers alike. In terms of analytical precision, though, the term adventure sports is of little value to sports studies. See also extreme sports.