Recreational Activities PDF

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RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Recreational activities are actions that are performed solely for the enjoyment, pleasure and amusement of individuals. Recreational activities are fun, mentally or physically engaging activities that people usually plan to do during their time off from work or school. Some examples of recreational activities include bowling, swimming, kite flying, bird watching, surfing, dancing, playing cards and watching movies. Recreation is a necessary part of life that refreshes and rejuvenates a person's body and mind. Recreational activities help a person relax and decrease the effects of work-related and interpersonal stressors. Physical recreational activities, such as playing basketball or volleyball with friends, help to keep a person's body in shape and serve to initiate close bonds with other like-minded individuals. Recreational activities often boost a person's confidence due to the feelings of accomplishment and pride he experiences when excelling at a chosen sport or another type of leisure activity. These types of activities also allow an individual to sharpen communication, time management, motivational and disciplinary skills that he can then use to enhance his career or personal relationships. Engaging in regular recreational activities can help a person discover new passions and even a new career path that is both financially and personally rewarding.

EXAMPLE OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Water sports, cycling and hiking are examples outdoor recreational activities. Many sports centers offer indoor activities such as ball games, dancing and gymnastics for members and guests to participate. Recreational activities tend to be done with other people, and they can be a means of socializing and keeping fit. Recreation is often used as family time as an event for the family to participate in a group. There are seasonal trends to some of the activities, such as football season or tennis season. Weather can be a barrier for outdoor activities such as swimming. How much activity a person can perform depends upon their fitness level. Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to leisure pursuits engaged in the outdoors, often in natural or semi-natural settings out of town. The primary purposes for outdoor recreation are beneficial use and pleasurable appreciation.

EXAMPLE OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

HIKING

SKY DIVING

SWIMMING

CAMPING

INDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Indoor activities are also a part of the recreation programmed. The word literally tells us that indoor recreation activities are undertaken on the comfort of one’s home or more specifically indoor and they are to recreate the mind and soul. For such indoor recreation activities, there are well-established clubs or recreation centers that have well-equipped indoor leisure facilities, which cater for sports activities for all ages and abilities, but it can be done just at home for simple activities.

EXAMPLE OF INDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

CHESS

Outdoor Recreation Benefits

Psychological

Viewing nature, or living in a natural area can be very supportive to human health and wellbeing. This is discussed in a study by the English Outdoor Council entitled “Time for change in outdoor learning”. Stress levels can be reduced being around nature and participating in physical activity. Reduced stress can also mean reduced anxiety and depression, which can then lead to building self-esteem and selfconfidence. The Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) also talks about enhanced mental and spiritual health too, as outcomes from participation in outdoor pursuits. Above all this there is the simple enjoyment of having fun outdoors. Having that respite away from work and life, getting out and achieving things such as paddling a river, climbing a mountain or abseiling down a wall will bring an important break to normal routine, and achieving these things will help to build self-confidence and self-esteem. This is discussed further in a guide into “High Quality Outdoor Education” by the English Outdoor Council.

Physical Health Being active and exercising regularly, (along with a good diet), helps to keep your body fit; there are many individual physical benefits from regular exercise. Benefits linked with walking can include:    

Managing weight and preventing obesity Controlling blood pressure and decreasing risk of heart attack Boosting good cholesterol Lowering risk of stroke

        

Reducing risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes Protecting against hip fractures Preventing depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence Lengthening lifespan Lowering stress levels Relieving arthritis and back pain Strengthening muscles, bones, and joints Improving sleep Elevating overall mood and sense of well-being

This was noted in a study into the benefits of walking by AARP Magazine used by Geoffry Gobey (2009) in a study into “Outdoor Recreation, Health and Wellness”. Overall the outcome is a higher life expectancy and a better quality of life. Other key gains from participation in outdoor pursuits include:     

Improved motor skills and coordination Improved sense of balance Increased fitness and stamina Increased muscle strength – particularly from activities such as climbing where people use particular muscle groups that don’t often tend to be used Improved resilience to elements such as adverse weather and challenging environments

ECONOMIC BENEFITS Outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, and hiking, wildlife watching and boating is big business. It brings day and overnight visitors to an area and communities reap the economic benefits when visitors buy meals and snacks, stay overnight in hotels, buy specialized equipment, lease land, and pay for travel costs. When a community protects its natural resources, it protects the reason outdoor tourists come to

the community. Good for the economy. Outdoor recreation pays off with economic benefits too: People who regularly participate in outdoor recreation tend to be more productive at work. Outdoor recreation creates job opportunities for others, which leads to economic growth. And the preservation of the natural areas needed for outdoor recreation increases property values.

Social Benefits Adults and children alike benefit socially from outdoor physical activity. Participating in sports and recreation provides kids to seniors with an opportunity to meet and build relationships with others. Participating on a team will help you to form lasting friendships with people who share your passion for outdoor recreation. Even, better for your social life. The great outdoors afford social benefits like bonding with likeminded people who enjoy outdoor activities and feeling an increased pride in your community and nation.

THE LEAVE NO TRACE SEVEN PRINCIPLES Plan Ahead and Prepare “Good planning is living the experience in advance.” - Sir Edmund Hillary Plan ahead is considering your goals and those of your group. Prepare by gathering local information, communicating expectations, and getting the technical skills, first aid knowledge, and equipment to make the trip a success. Build Leave No Trace into your plans by picking an appropriate journey for your group and allowing plenty of time to travel and camp. Be prepared to sit tight or turn back if you sense danger or sustain an injury. That way, you won’t have to abandon Leave No Trace techniques for the sake of safety. For instance, poor planning or disregard for weather conditions can turn an easy bushwalk into a risky encounter with extremes in temperatures. Cold and wet or suffering from heat stress, it’s impossible to leave no trace.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces "The science of nature and the ethics of nature are no longer separate disciplines. Finding out about natural kinds constituting the environment enables us to see not only how the environment may be protected, but also that it should be protected" - Nicholas Agar

What effect does a footstep have? The answer is, it depends! A footstep means different things to a young tree or pasture, to leaf litter or fragile soil, to a gravelly river bank or rain forest moss. Recovery that takes a year in some environments might take 25 years in others. Sticking to the tracks is best because they are specifically made for walking on. If there are no tracks, avoid non-durable ground such as soft plants, stream edges, muddy sites, and fragile soil layers. When travelling along a shoreline, walk on durable surfaces and spread out while when travelling on the tops above the tree line. Watch out for smaller plants and boggy areas.

Dispose of Waste Properly "Man is the conscious mind of Mother Earth and plays a vital part in the regulation of her life support systems and man's duty is to enhance and sustain those systems" - Rev Maori Marsden & Te Aroha Henare “Pack it in, pack it out”. Any user of our outdoors has a responsibility to clean up before he or she leaves. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for rubbish or spilled foods. Pack out all rubbish and kitchen waste, including leftover food. Lead by example. Pick up any rubbish you see not just your own. Never miss an opportunity to use a proper toilet facility and don’t dispose of your rubbish in them. If there are no toilets - be prepared and know how and where to dig cat holes or when to carry it out.

Leave What You Find "Long ago the Old People learned to share without touching, to take but not destroy, to merge with the Wairau of their creation and to respect with love. In this action of heart and mind, the secrets of the forests, mountains and rivers were thus revealed" Mistake People visit natural areas for many reasons, among them to explore nature’s mysteries and surprises. When we leave rocks, shells, plants, feathers, fossils, artifacts and other objects of interest as we find them, we pass the gift of discovery on to those who follow. Leaving what you find should be your first thought when you find something interesting or attractive.

There may be times and places when it is OK to collect something (for example for a child to collect some seashells or pretty rocks on a beach). But remember, we humans are very good at taking without thinking and there should be places where we show self-control. Mostly it is better to hold back and leave what we find, rather than have a shelf full of lifeless and dusty unvalued souvenirs. Particularly, never disturb culturally sensitive sites.

Minimize Campfire Impacts “In gaining the lovely and the usable, we have given up the incomparable.” Wallace Sterner Fires destroy important natural areas each year, including surprisingly wetlands. Many of these fires are either carelessly or accidentally set by uninformed campers and travellers. Large uncontrolled wildfires set unintentionally can spread rapidly and result in the critical loss of natural habitat, property and human life. First check whether fires are permitted in the place you are going. Along with the destructive nature of fire, the natural appearance of many areas has been compromised by the careless use of campfires and the demand for firewood. Campfires are beautiful by night. But the enormous rings of soot-scarred rocks – overflowing with ashes, partly burned logs, food and rubbish – are unsightly. Surrounding areas have been stripped of their natural beauty as every scrap of dry wood has been torched. Leave No Trace educates people on whether a fire is appropriate, and techniques that can be used to minimize the harm they cause.

Respect Wildlife "Ultimately, to coexist we have to change, to accept that nature isn't a factory constructed for us - accept that we are part of it, not its masters" - Geoff Park Encounters with wildlife inspire wonder. Unfortunately, wildlife in New Zealand faces threats from loss and fragmentation of habitat, invasive species, pollution, overexploitation, poaching and disease. Our parks and reserves offer a last refuge from some, but not all of these problems. That is why wild animals and marine life need people who will treat them with respect rather than add to the difficulties they already face. If wild animals are changing their behavior because of our actions, we are too close and interfering with their normal behavior. Never feed wildlife- human food is toxic to many birds and it attracts them to

car parks and other areas where they are likely to be injured. We need to share the outdoors not invade it.

Be Considerate Of Others Visitors “Silence is the element in which all great things are fashioned.” - Thomas Carlyle Today, we must consider the rights of traditional land owners as well as share the wilderness with people of all recreational persuasions. There is simply not enough country for every category of enthusiast to have exclusive use of land, wilderness, trails, bush, lakes, rivers, and campgrounds. Consider others, and what they might be trying to get out of their outdoor experience. Respect locals and their property. Pass quietly through farmland and leave the gates as you found them. Share the huts you stay in and welcome others who arrive after you. Leave huts better than you found them.

SNORKELING Snorkeling involves observing the underwater depths with the aid of a diving mask, a snorkel and, usually, swim fins. It generally takes place in shallow water, where you can watch undersea life from the surface of the water. Snorkeling allows people to observe underwater life over a long period while generally making only a limited physical effort. The ideal places to practice snorkeling are in warm, calm seas with clear water. Coral reefs, due to the richness of the seabed and underwater life, are favorite spots for snorkeling.

Although, even today, snorkeling is seen as the “younger brother” of scuba diving, the activity has several advantages of its own. Snorkeling can be done:

– From the surface of the water, without oxygen cylinders and without the need to be completely under water. As a result, less nervousness is involved than in scuba diving. – Without any qualifications and without a guide: in snorkeling, you are free to explore the seabed at your own pace and in your own way, most often without any constraints of organization – Without major expense: a few dozen euros is enough to cover the equipment, and snorkeling is very often done from a public beach, without any particular costs. – Without any great physical effort. As a result, it is adapted to almost any age, since snorkelers can just let themselves float at the surface of the water. Snorkeling is a great opportunity to develop an interest and curiosity for the wealth of the undersea world and the preservation of biodiversity.

Snorkel Equipment Mask Types & Fitting

Snorkel Mask Options Snorkel masks come in a large variety of styles and sizes and materials. You can get them with one window, or up to four. Some have plastic skirts, but 100% silicone is far better. The main thing is to get one of good quality that fits you perfectly. Our snorkel mask choices page at left will walk you through everything you need to know to make a good choice. Mask Fitting Tips

Prescription Mask Tips

A perfectly fitting mask is essential for a good snorkeling experience. Learn what to look for. And if you wear glasses, and don't use contacts, then get yourself a mask that will allow you to see like you have your glasses on. If you only wear reading glasses and you have something you need to read in the water, like your camera settings, a fish guide, or a watch, there is an affordable solution. You can add magnifying lenses to your mask. Galen wrote this DiveOptx review of the brand he tried.

Snorkel

Snorkels seem simple, but they come in a bunch of different styles and types and sizes. And getting the right one is important for your mouth shape and preferences. Some have splash guards on top or dry valves, with purge valves on the bottom. You can get them as a one piece tube or with a flexible silicone tube section on bottom. Explore all your options on our snorkel page.

SNORKELING FINS

Fins Buying Guide

Depending on your skill level, strength and if you like to free-dive or not, your choice of snorkeling fins is pretty broad. You can get them with a closed or open foot, with split fins or solid or compact travel versions. All you need to know is on our fins page.

Snorkel Vest A snorkel vest is basically an inflatable life preserver. It is a very useful tool and a good idea for most people. Read more about good reasons to use one even if you are a confident swimmer, find some recommendations for good vests to buy, and read about how to use them correctly.

Rash Guards - For Sun Protection

SKIN PROTECTION Using sunscreen is good, but when we go in and out of the water several times in a day, it becomes a pain to re-apply every time. So we wear long sleeve rash guard shirts when we snorkel. This reduces the area we need to sunscreen by a bunch. And the rash guard provides a small amount of insulating warmth and jellyfish sting protection. If there is no time to re-apply sunscreen between spots, or you simply don't want to wear the stuff, you can wear a full body rash guard or leggings with your long sleeve top. If you want extra warmth, you can get a thin neoprene top or a full or shorty wetsuit.

SWIMMING CUP

Snorkel Swim Cap

Long hair droving your nuts when snorkeling? Does it get stuck in your mask strap, or under your mask making it leak? Snorkeling swim caps or Buff Headwear are great solutions. They both have the added benefit of protecting your head and ears from the sun.

RECREAT IONAL ACTIVITI ES...