Understanding nature sports: a participant centred perspective and its implications for the design and facilitating of learning and performance

ABSTRACT

Nature sports is a term used to describe a collection of physical activities that are frequently defined by characteristics of their environment or an inherent risk. These perspectives overlook new aspects of nature sports and motivations for participation, imposing an inaccurate perspective on the design and facilitation of learning experiences. Namely, that nature sports are undertaken by participants with an inherent need for risk. This paper presents an alternative perspective based on critiques of the traditional notions of the experience of participants which goes beyond notions of risk-taking and thrill-seeking. Adopting a participant focus provides insight into the constant evolution of techniques, participation, philosophies and the continuous striving for creativity and innovation. Effective learning design and facilitation in nature sports therefore demands adaptability, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and the capacity to facilitate a participant’s interaction with their environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Risk-taking
• action
• adventure
• learning
• learning design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Loel Collins works as a senior lecturer within the institute of Coaching and Performance at the University of Central Lancashire. He has worked in the outdoor sector for over 30 years, formally as director of the National Whitewater Center in the UK and as head of paddlesports at the National Mountain Center (Plas y Brenin) in the U.K. His research interests lie in judgement and decision-making in complex environments and coach, leader and instructor education for adventure sports.

Dr Eric Brymer is a Reader in the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, U.K. and an Adjunct at Queensland University of Technology, Australia. He specializes in outdoor and adventure sports with a focus on the health benefits of being in nature and the psychology of extreme sports. Eric’s research focuses on the two major interrelated issues confronting societies today: concern for the health and well-being of populations and the state of the natural environment. He specializes in researching the reciprocal well-being benefits of the human–nature relationship. Projects include investigating the psychological health benefits of nature-based experiences, understanding how the relationship between human beings and nature benefits well-being and learning for pro-conservation and pro-sustainability behaviours.

ORCID

Loel Collins http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7478-1140

Eric Brymer http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0274-1016