Extreme sports

[wal]

I find it interesting that the Dept of Sport and Rec are taking alternative sports seriously.
With not all riders getting into the competition side of things, freeriding could get more attention and be taken more seriously than what it does now.


The Department of Sport and Recreation recently contracted a consultant to research the issues surrounding extreme/challenge activities in Western Australia.


Governments worldwide do not fully understand what comprises challenge activities, or the issues surrounding facilitation for these emerging activities.

By their nature, extreme activities are dynamic, innovative and not constrained by any particular set of parameters. Challenge activities are more about pushing physical boundaries, entertainment, flair and self expression with a backdrop of music, fashion and urban culture.   

Often events are injected with a true festival flavour, with live bands, DJs, and MC talent integrated into the sporting area and supporting creative flair, with graffiti art demonstrations and the like.   

Challenge activities often have environmental, educational, health and physical activity aspects.

The activities present issues surrounding governance, representation, risk management, funding, commercialisation, social and economic impact, land access, accreditation, registration and codes of conduct. 

This in turn presents challenges for government entities to progress a policy agenda for sport and recreation inclusive of challenge activity. A research agenda will help clarify the scope and issues surrounding  activities to assist in determining recommendations for the progression of policy and ongoing support.


Geordie Thompson
Manager Recreation Services
Department of Sport and Recreation
246 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
PO Box 329, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
Telephone (08) 9492 9718
Facsimile (08) 9492 9711

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/extremesports

[judmeister]

thats extreme

[wal]

Id class 4X as an extreme sport.
DSR could help, but you still need volunteers to get the ball rolling.

[specticackle]

'Challenge Activity' just doesn't quite have the same ring does it...

sounds more like an intense game of chess, without the board, or the final run at the end of Wipeout..
however, name aside thats positive news!

[RyanCruzn]

Hope this is just one step of about 1000 that need to be taken to get our sport and others to the next level, politicians recognize