Beyond "Because It's There" Motivations for Pursuing Adventure Recreational Activities

Since 2009, participation rates for adventure pursuits such as kayaking and climbing have increased over 25% (Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2011). This study investigated the reported motivations for participation in adventure recreation over a six-year period using the independent variables of gender, experience level, and activity type. The study consisted of 801 participants engaged in four different adventure activities (rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, and canoeing). Using factor analysis, three factors emerged: Social, Sensation-Seeking, and Self-Image. Of these three factors, subsequent analyses using three-way ANOVAs, revealed significant differences regarding activity type, gender, and experience level. Using discriminant analysis, the Social factor was the most successful in predicting group membership regarding gender, activity type, and level of experience.