Youth aquatic recreation: The pleasures and pitfalls of an aquatic lifestyle in New Zealand

Moran, K.

The University of Auckland

2008

In N.P. Beaulieu (Ed.), Physical activity and children: New research (pp. 35-63). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

k.moran@auckland.ac.nz

Profile and contact details for Dr Moran: http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/kevin-moran/

Available to purchase from Nova Publishers: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6832

The purpose of this chapter is to ascertain how youth engage in the aquatic environment. A key aim is to investigate aquatic recreation and the associated risk of drowning. In doing so, a picture of aquatic activity participation was built up through use of a questionnaire, administered nationwide to a sample of 15-19 year old high school students. Students from 41 schools completed the questionnaire. Almost all youth had taken part in swimming in the previous year. Other activities included paddling and surfing. Many students reported risk behaviours such as swimming when cold or tired, swimming outside patrolled areas on beaches, in prohibited places, or participating in aquatic activity after having consumed alcohol. Behaviour was analysed by gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity. The prevalence of risky behaviour among males was consistent and pronounced, the effect of ethnicity and socio-economic status less so. Recommendations are made for the promotion of aquatic activity with an emphasis on safety

Keywords:

adolescents, age factors, ethnicity, participation physical activity, recreation, risk factors, sex factors, socio economic factors, sports, swimming, watersports

Survey

National

Facilities, Sport

1250

November 21, 2011

July 3, 2012