Constraints to Rafting at an Artificial Whitewater Park

Abstract

As recreational activities in natural settings such as rafting are replicated artificially, professionals’ understanding of participant behaviors, motivations and constraints may need to be updated. Constraints for recreation activities in artificial environments might differ significantly from those in natural environments. As such, the primary purpose of this study was to examine constraints to participating in rafting at an artificial whitewater park. An onsite survey of visitors at an artificial whitewater facility was conducted in the southeastern United States in early fall 2007. Based on the results of this study it appears the primary constraints to participation are similar to traditional river rafting in that lack of time and companionship are major constraints. On the other hand, artificial facilities differ in that they present new constraints such as lack of preparedness. The creation of artificial whitewater facilities near populated areas could reduce the constraint of “no areas near me for this activity” found in the studies of constraints to river rafting. The number of artificial whitewater parks and facilities will require significant funding therefore constraints research in this area will be critical and more research is definitely needed on these artificial facilities. 1 Rabinowitz et al.: Constraints to Rafting at an Artificial Whitewater Park Published by ScholarWorks@GVSU, 2010 Journal of Tourism Insight s Vol. 1 No. 1 74 include factors such as lack of money and time. This study utilizes the typology classification proposed by Crawford and Godbey (1987). Numerous studies have focused on the constraints that preclude people from engaging in various leisure activities (Bialeschki, & Henderson, 1988; Crawford, & Godbey, 1987; Gilbert & Hudson, 2000; Jackson, 2005, Lee & Scott, 2009). Studies examining constraints to whitewater boating on rivers have been conducted (Nyaupane, Morais, Graefe, 2003, 2004), however the examination of constraints to rafting at artificial whitewater facilities is a new field of study. While there are obvious differences between rafting on a river and an artificial run, there might also be many similar constraints (e.g., risk, cost, time investment, lack of skill, etc.). Earlier studies conducted on whitewater rivers served as a starting point for this research project.