Social groups preferences relation to motivations and ability levels of whitewater kayakers

Abstract

Social groups play an important role in many adventure recreation activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the social group preference relation to motives and ability levels of whitewater kayakers. When participants go out on a kayaking trip they are seeking varying degrees of experiences, a major contributor to that experience comes from the members of their group. Looking at level of ability and motivations as two primary indicators, such indicators should provide deeper insight into social group preferences. Data was collected from 283 participants, through the use of a hand distributed survey instrument on the Deerfield River near the town of Charlemont, Massachusetts. The data was analyzed through the use of a factor-cluster analytical technique using motivational variables and ability levels to identify sub-segments of participants; these were then related to ability level.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Turner, Seth; Zwick, Rod. 2002. Social groups preferences relation to motivations and ability levels of whitewater kayakers. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 421-425.