avidOutdoor recreation was founded in the early days of discovery of new areas and countries. Humans have always sought to find and conquer other lands of natural beauty. Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus and Captain Cooke are all instantly associated with discovery and adventure. However, they also represent risk. They were all risk-taking when they explored new areas. It’s totally different now to travel to other places. There are maps of every corner of the world that provide detailed information.
The idea of modernity is closely linked to the development of the secure lifestyle that we can now claim to live in. The pre-modernity period of this development was a thrilling time in life. All the modern conveniences we take for granted weren’t there. Some argue that the outdoor activities we enjoy as outdoor recreationalists are just part of our daily lives. Modernity brought with it the romantic idea to appreciate natural beauty. The industrial revolution made it easier for people to be attracted more to the country. The outdoors became more appealing to people. These people started to realize the benefits that visiting areas of natural beauty had on their lives. Postmodernity saw environmental awareness, conflicting interest in the countryside, as well as the commercialization and commercialization of areas of natural beauty. Some argue that our post-modernity stage is more naive than the pre-modernity life.
As outdoor enthusiasts become more competitive, equipment might be seen as another way to ‘cushion’ the outdoors. Again, modernisation and civilisation are crucial factors. When mountaineers first scaled mountains, when kayakers first paddled down a river and when people sailed great distances to seek ‘discovery,’ the equipment was not nearly as advanced as it today. This is an example of the advanced waterproofing systems. Because of the nature of the elements, waterproofing systems for outdoor use have been in development for many years. These advanced systems may be seen as cheating, which could lead to people not feeling like they’re back in the real adventure. This may be a good thing. It is not uncommon to use plastic kayaks in place of fibreglass, but this has enabled kayakers to paddle down rivers and go to places they had never been able to because the craft are stronger.
People enjoy outdoor recreation for its natural beauty. Urbanization is a major part of modernization. Ever increasing numbers of people want to explore the countryside and find natural beauty in green spaces is an indication of how much they value this concept. This idea was accepted in 1872. Yellowstone Park is the first National Park anywhere in the world. Adventure was already a ‘cornered off” concept. It was becoming more difficult to travel. The commercialization and exploitation of the outdoors was soon to emerge.
Many people feel that they don’t want to go outside due to how much society has insulated them. Many people are afraid of the possibility of getting muddy or wet. They have other activities and prefer to stay indoors. These ‘luxuries’ will not be possible forever. Many centuries of progress have led to a lifestyle we can now consider as being the best.
Communication technology and the media are vital in the realization that people don’t really experience adventure anymore. It’s possible to have many adventures without leaving your house. It’s possible that this definition of adventure is false. It will likely be possible to experience expeditions, jumping off bungees, and other adventure-related activities, without even leaving your house.