Activity involvement, equipment, and geographic connection to recreation area: The case of boaters in southeastern Norway

Abstract

In outdoor recreation research, activity involvement refers to the psychological attachment individuals develop for a recreational activity. The purpose of this study was to explore activity involvement in recreational boating, and particularly to examine whether certain readily recordable equipment and demographic characteristics are related to involvement. Data were collected among locals, cabin dwellers, and boat tourists in the Nøtterøy/Tjøme Skerries boating area outside Oslo. Boaters using larger boats and boats suitable for overnight cruising were more involved than boaters using smaller boats and boats less suitable for overnight cruising. Sailboaters were more involved than most motorboaters, but not more than motorboaters using the largest motor boat types. The three geographic subgroups of boaters differed with respect to both distribution of boat types and level of activity involvement. It is concluded that boat size and boat type, as well as geographic connection to boating area, have some potential as easily recordable indicators of boating involvement.