Canyoneering a sport?

[boryaa]

Just outa curiosity. Do you guys consider canyoneering a legit sport? Personally, as a canyoneer and climber myself I see it being somewhat close to rock-climbing. But what do you guys think?

[Bootboy]

No. At least not for me. It's more of an activity or persuit. For many, it's a life style.

I cringe when someone refers to it specifically as an action or adrenaline sport, or even worse, EXTREME sport.

[ilipichicuma]

I think of it as a sport, at least to some degree. I definitely think of it as being different from rock climbing, though I enjoy both. I think the main difference is that in rock climbing you are going up and in canyoneering you are going down. Also, I think a lot of the moves in canyoneering are different from climbing. Being good at climbing can help, but it's not everything.

[Iceaxe]

I have always considered canyoneering and mountaineering to be very similar in terms of sport. YMMV

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[kiwi_outdoors]

If you set a bolt or a piton, its construction, and should be permitted, and is no longer a sport, IMO. That said, I really like canyoneering.

[moab mark]

My kids think hiking with ropes if alot funner then just hiking. More of an adventure then a sport.

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[deagol]

I think of it more as a "pursuit" or "activity" but not a "sport". The difference may be subtle, or may be semantics...

[Mojave Silence]

Depends on how ya define "sport." My dictionary has it as "to amuse oneself, frolic...a source of diversion, recreation..." By that definition I'd say Yes, it's a sport.

[mzamp]

If you set a bolt or a piton, its construction, and should be permitted, and is no longer a sport, IMO. That said, I really like canyoneering.

[mzamp]

Just outa curiosity. Do you guys consider canyoneering a legit sport? Personally, as a canyoneer and climber myself I see it being somewhat close to rock-climbing. But what do you guys think?

What do you think? And what does it matter? Far as I know there are no canyoneering competitions. Is hiking or mountaineering a sport? I would put canyoneering in the same catergory. I wouldn't group it with rock climbing, unless you are talking trad climbing and not sport climbing.

[Slot Machine]

I think of canyoneering as a fun way to teach my friends how to tie overhand knots.

It's also a fun way to fool my wife into thinking that she made a wise choice by selecting me as a mate... like she seems to believe every time I slide down a long rope and survive.

But no, canyoneering is not a sport. That would involve competition.

One could argue that this forum is a sport however...

[phatch]

I have a brother-in-law who defines sport as those activities requiring a defense. I don't particularly agree with that perspective, but it does help me think about things in a new way.

[Iceaxe]

Defense required would eliminate a lot of sports.... including about 90% of all Olympic Sports....

Defense required might better define a game....

YMMV


Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[boryaa]

Well I personally believe it is a sport. You do it because you love to, and if you take it seriously like I do than its much more than an activity.

[phatch]

There's some of the new arrivals to the Olympics I wouldn't call a sport. Synchronized anything, rhythmic gymnastics...

Physical difficulty alone does not a sport make imho.

[mzamp]

Well I personally believe it is a sport. You do it because you love to, and if you take it seriously like I do than its much more than an activity.

According to the Oxford Dictionary it is NOT a sport: noun

• 1. an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment:
  
  
  

[pikan]

According to the Oxford Dictionary it is NOT a sport: noun

• 1. an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment:

Not disagreeing, but one could argue about the competition part of canyoneering!

[Renatomic808]

Not disagreeing, but one could argue about the competition part of canyoneering!

Then I see it as a sport.. I'm competing with other local canyoneers, on who can bag the first descents and give ridiculous canyon names.

During our canyons, we also have guava wars. So maybe Utah canyoneering isn't a sport.... but Hawaii canyoneering is

[Iceaxe]

According to the Oxford Dictionary it is NOT a sport: noun

• 1. an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment:

You didn't provide the complete quote from the Oxford Dictionary....

[mass noun, usually with adjective] success or pleasure derived from an activity such as hunting or fishing:

There is a lot more: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sport

[Felicia]

It's a sport - Wikipedia says so!

"Canyons can be very easy or extremely difficult, though emphasis in the sport is usually on aesthetics and fun rather than pure difficulty."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoneering



Felicia