Newsletter 2nd edition 2009 - Premier's be active Challenge active newsletter Aug 2009.pdf ·...

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children withdrawing from sport because of the costs, and even reduced spectator numbers at major sporting events. Our challenge is to continue to promote the benefits and importance of being ac- tive. If our job is getting harder because of factors we cannot control, then we need to find other opportunities to achieve the same outcomes of creating more physically active communities. Perhaps our traditional ways need to be reviewed and a more creative way of delivering the same product is required. And who can we get to help? You guessed it - the media!! Jeff Dry Chair, South Australian Physical Activity Council Newsletter Government of South Australia 2nd edition 2009 Our challenge is to continue to promote the benefits and importance of being active. Take every opportunity to be active www.beactive.com.au Some significant events have dominated the media over the past months. It is hard to imagine anyone not knowing of Michael Jackson’s death or the dramatic impact of the swine flu epidemic. Through the media, we are much more informed about news stories and events and their direct impact on us as individuals and organisations. The media can also be used to advantage when wanting to promote a key message. A major focus of the be active agenda has been related to the recent media campaign. The campaign involved a series of television and radio commercials, outdoor media and some special events. Anecdotal feedback has indicated that the campaign was very successful in terms of achieving increased brand awareness and improved uptake of physical activity. Whilst physical activity is beneficial for all the population, this particular campaign has targeted families and middle aged South Australians, along with regional South Australians. But the reality is that for many individuals in country towns, their favourite activities are under threat due to factors such as the impact of the drought, the financial crisis and limited employment. The flow-on effect is the impact on the community spirit and social wellbeing of these people. Social research indicators suggest that in tough times and with limited finances, one of the first decisions made is to review spending on sport and leisure, leading to a decline in gym memberships, young Foreword

Transcript of Newsletter 2nd edition 2009 - Premier's be active Challenge active newsletter Aug 2009.pdf ·...

children withdrawing from sport because of the costs, and even reduced spectator numbers at major sporting events.

Our challenge is to continue to promote the benefits and importance of being ac-tive. If our job is getting harder because of factors we cannot control, then we need to find other opportunities to achieve the same outcomes of creating more physically active communities. Perhaps our traditional ways need to be reviewed and a more creative way of delivering the same product is required.

And who can we get to help? You guessed it - the media!!

Jeff DryChair, South Australian Physical Activity Council

Newsletter

Governmentof South Australia

2nd edition 2009

Our challenge is to continue to promote the benefits and importance of being active.

Take every opportunity to be active www.beactive.com.au

Some significant events have dominated the media over the past months. It is hard to imagine anyone not knowing of Michael Jackson’s death or the dramatic impact of the swine flu epidemic.

Through the media, we are much more informed about news stories and events and their direct impact on us as individuals and organisations. The media can also be used to advantage when wanting to promote a key message.

A major focus of the be active agenda has been related to the recent media campaign. The campaign involved a series of television and radio commercials, outdoor media and some special events. Anecdotal feedback has indicated that the campaign was very successful in terms of achieving increased brand awareness

and improved uptake of physical activity. Whilst physical activity is beneficial for all the population, this particular campaign has targeted families and middle aged South Australians, along with regional South Australians.

But the reality is that for many individuals in country towns, their favourite activities are under threat due to factors such as the impact of the drought, the financial crisis and limited employment. The flow-on effect is the impact on the community spirit and social wellbeing of these people.

Social research indicators suggest that in tough times and with limited finances, one of the first decisions made is to review spending on sport and leisure, leading to a decline in gym memberships, young

Foreword

Take every opportunity to be active2

In this issue1 Foreward

2 Health

4 Education

5 Research

5 Workplace

6 be active Tips

6 News & Events 11 Active Transport

11 Q & A

12 Trails

How should we tackle childhood obesity? With one in four Australian children identi-fied as being overweight or obese, can we learn something from the French?

A program called EPODE (Ensemble, prévenons l’obésité des enfants or Together, let’s prevent obesity in children) has been running in some French cities and the rate of overweight or obese children within those cities has fallen significantly. This makes it one of the very first programs to show that community-wide interventions can reduce the levels of childhood obesity and potentially have a dramatic effect on the health of the community.

The Minister for Health, John Hill, visited the EPODE program sites in France to find out more and was very impressed. He recently announced that South Australia would have a similar initiative addressing childhood obesity to be called OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle).

So, how will it work? South Australia currently has a range of statewide, healthy weight, healthy eating and physical activity programs. There are also prominent campaigns, such as be active and Go for 2&5 across the State. OPAL will bring these, and newly developed local initiatives, together in a number of South Australian communities.

OPAL will include activities across the whole community, such as schools, sport and recreation organisations, as well as a range of health, transport, retail, community and other sectors to increase the amount of healthy eating and physical activity. Local councils will take a leadership role in bringing these community groups together, with the assistance of a regional coordinator placed within the council.

Six local South Australian communities are ready to join over 200 communities throughout Europe tackling childhood obesity through this approach.

The City of Onkaparinga, the City of Marion, the City of Playford, the City of Salisbury, the City of Mt Gambier and the City of Pt Augusta are set to become the first of 20 South Australian sites to embrace this initiative over the next four years.

For more information, please contact Mark Williams, State Manager, OPAL on (08) 8226 6068 or [email protected].

Health

OPAL – Up and Running!

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How Do You Measure Up? The Measure Up campaign is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments that aims to increase awareness of why it is impor-tant to adopt a healthy lifestyle and help people to understand the link between excess weight around your waist and the increased risk of chronic disease.

The Measure Up campaign primarily targets 25 to 50 year olds who have children, as parents tend to be interested in their long-term health and want to live long enough see their children grow up. The campaign also targets 45 to 65 year olds as many people in this group are likely to either have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, or are experiencing the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. The campaign’s special audiences include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and groups from non-English speaking backgrounds.

You may have seen the television and print advertisements, or bus shelter advertising asking people, ‘Are you on your way to chronic disease?’. You can access these, and more advertisements, along with community education resources such as a consumer education booklet, posters, tape measure and event toolkits for workplaces and the community, via the campaign’s website.

For more information on the Measure Up campaign and available resources, please visit www.australia.gov.au/MeasureUp or contact SA Health (Health Promotion Branch) on (08) 8226 6329 or e-mail [email protected].

Workplace Walkathon ToolkitWant to organise a healthy, active event for your workplace? A Workplace Walkathon is a fun event you can organise for your workplace.

The Workplace Walkathon toolkit is part of the Measure Up campaign.

Work colleagues form teams and conduct a walking race to a virtual destination. This race is completed over a set period of time and is measured by participants

counting their steps with a pedometer. It’s easy, it’s fun, and enjoying some physical activity is good for everyone - even at work.

Good health can also help to boost productivity and staff morale, and reduce sickness and absenteeism costs. Healthy eating and regular physical activity will not only benefit the health and wellbeing of individual people and their families; it can also benefit the wellbeing of your organisation. To download the Workplace Walkathon toolkit, please visit www.measureup.gov.au/internet/abhi/publishing.nsf/

Take every opportunity to be active4

Education

Over 30,000 students taking the Challenge in 2009!

The Premier’s be active Challenge is open to students of all abilities in Reception to Year Nine and the goal is to complete 60 minutes a day of physical activity for a minimum of four weeks.

By participating in the Challenge, students can earn medals and fifty high achiev-ing schools that encourage students to complete ten weeks of the Challenge will receive $1,000 of sports equipment!

One of the fantastic features of the Premier’s be active Challenge has been the Challenge Ambassador program.

To date, ambassadors have visited over twenty schools throughout the State including visits to Port Augusta, Whyalla and Mt Gambier.

These fabulous ambassadors, who give their time freely, include:

• ShaunBurgoyneandWarrenTredrea,Port Power

• AngeloCostanzo,national leaguesoccer player

• Ryan‘Fitzy’Fitzgerald,Nova919• FelicityJohnson,Paralympictandem

cyclist• KieranModra,Paralympiccyclist• Katie Parker, Paralympic tandem

cyclist• LukeSchenscher,Adelaide36ers• JanStirling,formerAustralianwomen’s

basketball coach• KatrinaWebb,Paralympicathlete• BrettBurton,AdelaideCrows• Matthew Cowdrey, Paralympic

swimmer• Kylie Halliday, world aerobics

champion

Students Take the Lead at Lunchtime

Primary students are taking up the chal-lenge to get kids more active during school, by leading lunchtime games for their peers. After completing two days of the Primary School ‘Fit to Lead’ training, the new leaders are ready to run games at Morphett Vale schools, including Year 6 and 7 Leaders from Flaxmill Primary.

Eat well be active Community Programs are the first to pilot a primary school ver-sion of ‘Fit to Lead’, originally developed by the Children’s Health Development Foundation, published by ACHPER. Over 50 students from seven schools have completed the training, which walks the leaders through group behaviour and management skills, modified games for younger children and interactive activities to warm up and cool down.

Project Coordinator Sonya Stanley says, “Teachers have been overwhelmed with the number of students who wanted the opportunity to lead, and not just those involved in other organised sports. The focus of ‘Fit to Lead’ on inclusive games has helped ensure students are getting active and no one is left sitting on the sideline”.

Eat well be active has provided each school with a new physical activity pack which will be shared by the Leaders as they run their lunchtime games.

• MelLeckie,Paralympichandcyclist• Lucas Pantelis, Adelaide United

Football Club• KarenRolton,Australianwomen’s

cricket captain• MarkSoderstrom,Channel7News• NatalieVonBertouch,Australiannetball

vice captain• SamWoosnam,AdelaideLightning

captain• AdelaideUnitedFootballClub-the

first Premier’s be activeandReadingChallenge ambassador team

It’s not too late, you have until 25th September to join with over 30,000 students from 300 schools who have already signed up for the Challenge in 2009.

To sign up for the Challenge, please visit www.pbac.sa.edu.au or contact Leah Cassidy from the Department of Education and Children’s Services on (08) 8226 4386 or [email protected].

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physically active. Overall, five of the seven environmental variables were significantly related to meeting physical activity guidelines, ranging from access to low-cost recreation facilities, up to having sidewalks on most streets. Single family homes and perceived crime were not found to be significantly associated with physical activity. A graded associa-tion was also observed, with the most activity–supportive neighbourhoods having 100% higher rates of sufficient physical activity, compared to those with no supportive attributes.

This study gives strong evidence in support of neighbourhoods with environments conducive to physical activity.

CitedinAustralianPhysicalActivityNetwork,

June2009. Source:AmericanJournalof

PreventiveMedicine,2009,36:484–490.

Research

Neighbourhood Environments and Physical Activity

Previous research has demonstrated links between the built environment and physical activity behaviour, for example, populations living in high density suburbs are more likely to be physically active. This evidence is important to help influ-ence urban planners and policy makers in creating neighbourhoods that are more conducive to physical activity.

A recent study compared neighbourhood environments and physical activity in eleven countries worldwide. The partici-pants were 11,541 adults living in cities representative of the overall populations in the eleven countries. Their frequency and duration of walking, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity in the work, leisure and transport domains and inactivity levels were assessed through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. They

indicated whether the following seven environmental attributes were present in their neighbourhood, through the Physical Activity Neighbourhood Environment Survey:

• Singlefamilyhousesthemainhousingtype

• Manyshopswithinwalkingdistance• Transitstopwithin10-15minutesfrom

home• Sidewalksonmoststreets• Facilities to bicycle in or near

neighbourhood• Lowcostrecreationfacilities• Crimeratemakesitunsafetowalkat

night.

There was variation in the presence of reported neighbourhood characteristics across countries. Seventy-seven per-cent of participants were sufficiently

Workplace

be active Tracky Dacks Day The inaugural be active Tracky Dacks Day was held on Friday, 3rd July to celebrate physical activity in South Australia. Employers, managers, CEO’s, principals and other ‘bosses’ were asked to allow their staff and students to wear tracksuit pants on the day, and encourage them to be active in some way, such as by going for a lunchtime walk, taking the stairs instead of the lift, getting off the bus a stop earlier, or having a social game of sport together.

Both 5AA and Nova 919 ran be active Tracky Dacks Day competitions where workplaces were encouraged to send in photos of staff in tracksuit pants on the day for a chance to win be active prizes. The day was a great success and is bound to become even bigger in 2010!

Take every opportunity to be active6

News & Events

Chiton Rocks Surf Lifesaving ‘Breakaway’ ProgramChiton Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club is currently in its second year of a three year surf mentoring program called ‘Breakaway’.

Supported by the Office for Youth, the program is aimed at engaging margina-lised and disadvantaged young people in the community.

‘Breakaway’ is currently run in partner-ship with Multicultural Youth SA and has connected culturally and linguistically diverse young people with volunteer mentors. Mentors are responsible for running the program and act as positive role models. Participants come from a range of backgrounds including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of the Sudan.

‘Breakaway’providestheopportunityfor participants to be active through learning to surf, learning about water safety and becoming part of Australia’s iconic beach culture.

The program has been a huge success so far, with 34 young people participating in surfing sessions, with a surf camp held in May.

be active Tips

Join a Sport, Recreation or Fitness ClubMany people find it easier to stay active when they belong to a local sport, fitness or recreation club. It’s a great way to make new friends and the commitment can help you to stay active. Just because

you haven’t played a sport for a while, or you are not an expert, it does not mean you can’t belong to a club. Remember, sport isn’t just for the elite athlete. Sport can be challenging and fun at whatever level you play. An increasing number of sport and recreation organisations are catering for new participants and welcome beginners to join.

For more information about local sporting or recreation clubs or groups in your area, please contact your local council.

ChitonRocksiscurrentlyseekingad-ditional volunteer mentors to support the program. Interested individuals are encouraged to email [email protected] for further information.

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be active Media CampaignThe 2009 be active media campaign has been up and running since March and has continued to encourage South Australians to ‘take every opportunity to be active’.

The campaign consists of television com-mercials, radio promotions and outdoor advertising prompting people to be active in a number of simple, everyday ways.

Several new elements of the cam-paign have been introduced in 2009 including:• be active promotion at the Adelaide

Railway Station (banners, footprints and stair stickers);

• Regionspecificpostersatroadhousesand venues;

• Regionspecificradioadvertising;• 5AAbe active Listener Challenge

events; and• be active Tracky Dacks Day (promoted

in conjunction with 5AA and Nova 919).

A particularly successful new aspect of the 2009 campaign involved teaming up with radio station 5AA to present the ‘be active Listener Challenge’. Members of the public were able to register to take a scenic walk along North Terrace with Keith Conlon, have a lunchtime run with former football star Stephen Rowe, enjoy a Botanic Gardens walk with garden guru Michael Keelan, or have a kick and catch with Graham Cornes at Adelaide Oval. These events were a huge success with over 200 South Australians registering and taking part.

Multicultural Youth Soccer Carnival “Is this on again next week?” was the most common question asked at the recent Multicultural Youth Soccer Carnival. The carnival, held on Saturday, 20th June, concluded the week-long events as part of the 2009 Refugee Week, and was conducted by Multicultural Youth SA. Thirteen different cultural groups were represented, including the newest refugee population in South Australia, the Bhutanese.

A total of 15 teams participated on the day, with two teams of girls. Kerin Cross, Senior Project Officer, Specific Populations, said the equipment used on the day was borrowed from the Office for Recreation and Sport. “The Programs and Partnerships branch have put together a library of loan equipment that agencies and community groups can borrow,” she said. The equipment enables these organisations to deliver grassroots opportunities like this. “It’s great to see the passion and enthusiasm of the participants being able to play a sport they love,” said Kerin.

For more information, please contact KerinCross, Senior ProjectOfficer,SpecificPopulationson(08)74247711or email [email protected].

Take every opportunity to be active8

Gavin Wanganeen – Ambassador for Youth OpportunityMaralingaTjarutjaandAnanguPitjantjatjaraYankunytjatjara(APY)LandsinMelbourneCricketGroundCurtain-Raiser

I recently travelled to Melbourne with a combined All Stars team from the APY Lands and Maralinga Tjarutja to play a Yuendemu side from the Northern Territory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The team was selected following the annual curtain raiser game between the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara

(APY) Lands team and Maralinga Tjarutja team at AAMI stadium.

The fellas couldn’t believe they were in Melbourne and walking on to the MCG. I spent time with them in the rooms before the game. They were excited and revving themselves up for the match.

It was an excellent game, very entertain-ing, with all the skills on show. Both teams played some hard footy. Yuendemu were ahead at half time, but the All Stars showed good resilience when they were challenged. It was great to see the excite-ment on the boys’ faces when the siren sounded and the All Stars had won. They had their arms in the air and were hugging each other. At the end, the Maralinga boys were doing their famous gymnastics, doing back-flips, which won a big cheer from the crowd. I congratulated the boys and encouraged them to keep going with their footy back home.

A lot of these boys are leaders on the footy field, but they’ll also be leaders one day in their communities, if they’re not already. They’ll go back to their com-munities with a lifetime experience they will never forget, having played at the MCG.

Sport is pretty much the heart and soul of these communities and involves not only the men, but the women too. The women love to watch their footy, but also play in a regular community versus community softball competition. Sport is vital to their communities - it provides healthy exercise where they can develop leadership skills, communication and team work.

They are skills we need not only in sport, but in life.

NextStep - Sustainable Better HealthActive Ageing Australia is offering a free program targeting 45-55 year olds in South Australia who want to improve their personal lifestyle.

NextStep is a 14-week, online program which focuses on making sustainable changes to an individual’s physical activity, and/or healthy eating choices, through the

two highly regarded programs ‘Healthy Eating Every Day’ and ‘Active Living Every Day’.

An initial group meeting with participants will occur at the beginning of the program, along with regular phone coaching every one to two weeks throughout the 14 week period. Coaches are qualified in human movement, health sciences and psychology and will provide motivation support and additional information in relation to local physical activity options and nutritional information.

Visitwww.activeageingsa.net.au/nextstepfor more information, or to register, please contact Active Ageing Australia on(08)[email protected].

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Active Community Team ChallengeThe Active Community Team Challenge is a walking/running event, designed especially for rural South Australians, that is being held in four country regions: the South East, the Riverland, Upper Spencer Gulf and Clare Valley/Barossa, and is hosted by three different towns throughout each region. Unlike other events, you don’t have to be the fastest or the fittest to be involved and you don’t even have to win. You simply walk, or run, a 2km or 4km course every fortnight over 16 weeks with the aim of improving each fortnight. Participants enter as individuals or in teams of up to five people, and points are awarded to the most improved teams overall.

The South East produced over 130 teams consisting of over 550 participants, prov-ing to be a very successful event. The Challenge is just over halfway in the Riverland with over 140 teams involved. Wayne Bambrick, event organiser from Life. Be in it said, “It is great to see so many people involved in such a fan-tastic event that will hopefully change some people’s lifestyles. Surveys and feedback from the South East and the Riverland have been extremely positive with requests from participants and the local community to hold the event again next year”.

The Upper Spencer Gulf starts on 21st July in Whyalla, 22nd July in Pt Pirie and 23rd July in Pt Augusta. The Clare Valley/ Barossa starts on 8th September in Clare, 9th September in Nuriootpa and 10th September in Gawler.

For more information, please visit www.salifebeinit.org or contact Life. Be in it on (08) 8232 3944 or email [email protected].

Teachers - Fit for the JobStaff members from Coomandook Area School have embraced a challenge to improve their fitness and wellbeing under the watchful eye of the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Bec Shaw.

Of the 25 staff at the school site, 15 have joined a ‘Teachers - Fit for the Job’ program run by The Shining Light Corporation. This is an aerobic/circuit based training program conducted as

a team activity in a supportive environ-ment. The program offers a personalised exercise program based on individual goals, a healthy eating plan designed by a nutritionist, phone and online support.

The staff has varying fitness levels with each team member following their own fitness program and healthy eating plan. Cakes and chocolate biscuits have not been as welcomed in the staff room as they once were! They even have a soup group who share delicious, healthy, hot soup once a week for lunch.

The program has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of staff involved in regular physical activity, with all enjoying increased vitality and pride in each other’s achievements.

Take every opportunity to be active10

be active PlayTimeThe Office for Recreation and Sport has recently trained another 68 be active PlayTime Leaders from 17 organisations, to deliver the program at over 80 different locations across the State.

be active PlayTime aims to equip parents and carers with the skills and confidence to facilitate physical play in the home environment for children under five years of age. This program utilises the child’s innate desire to play and it offers plenty of ideas that will help children acquire crucial, fundamental movement skills.

be active PlayTime activities have been designed to use both homemade and purchased play equipment, but there are many activities where no equipment is necessary; children and adults can use their own bodies.

Find out more about be active PlayTime, PlayTime providers for 2009 and activity ideasontheOfficeforRecreationandSportwebsite:www.recsport.sa.gov.au.

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Q and A

With Stephen RoweFormer Crows and Norwood star, and now popular 5AA radio personality, Stephen Rowe, recently caught up with the be active crew to discuss his own personal be active journey.

BA – Tell us a bit about your life after football.

SR–Afterretiringfromtop-levelfootball,my lifestyle changed a lot, especially having a young family. My activity levels dropped and I saw myself quickly put onalotofexcessweightthatIhadn’tcarried before.BA – What motivated you to get active again?SR–Acoupleofthings.Itreallyhithometo me when my son made a remark about my weight, and also the time when I struggled to tie my shoelaces up, fell forward and got a carpet burn on my forehead!BA – What did you do after that? SR–Well,I’mabigfanofgoalsettingas I’m a really goal-focused person. So I set myself a goal of running a marathon. Because I wasn’t fit, I also set a number of short-term goals. I started by walking totheHenleyJettyandback.Afteraboutamonth,I’dwalktothejetty,thenjogfrom one light pole to another, then walk again. As time went on and I felt better,I’dincreasethejogbyanextralight pole at a time. After a couple of months, I was getting about an hour of exerciseatatime,joggingupto2km.Thiscontinued on and by the end I was running 107-114kmperweek.EventuallyIwassuccessful at achieving my larger goal of runningtheNewYorkmarathon!BA – Did you come across any setbacks?

Active Transport

River Torrens Linear Park Bicycle PathFrom the beachside suburb of Henley Beach to the city’s north-eastern suburbs, the River Torrens Linear Park is the ideal choice for families and those looking for a leisurely walk, jog or cycle. The trail runs right through the city centre, passing the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Zoo, providing an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Users can pick up the path at countless spots, however the city section - near Elder Park - is generally the most popular option. Many people choose to stop halfway, along the banks of the river, for a picnic or to feed the ducks - the perfect way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Below are some interesting facts regard-ing its use: • Onaverage,365cyclistsadayuse

the path at Hindmarsh (just west of the city).

• DuringanaverageweekatHindmarsh,the peak hour in the mornings occurs from 7:45 - 8:45am with an average of 53 cyclists, while in the evenings the

SR–Havingthreekids, it’shardertomanage your time, but it’s a matter of managing your time and making it a habit. Everyone can do it. I also had lots of little niggles like a calf strain, so I used the bike as an alternative training when this happened.It’sjustamatteroflookingafter your body, dealing with setbacks as they come in, and then getting on with it again. The support of family was also important when dealing with setbacks and staying motivated.BA – Running a marathon is such an achievement, especially from where you came from. Do you have any advice for others looking at getting active again?SR–Themost importantthingistomake activity a habit and develop the same routine every day. Also, set your goals–youdon’thavetoaimtorunamarathon, but whatever you want to achieve, it’s really important to set a realistic goal and build up towards it. Everyone will encounter setbacks but don’tgiveup–dealwiththemandkeepontrack.Andmostimportantly,enjoywhat you’re doing!

Take the first step to making physical activity a part of your lifestyle and order a copy of be active Getting Started at www.beactive.com.au/merchandise

peak hour occurs from 5.00 – 6.00pm with an average of 56 cyclists.

• Onthebusiestdays,apeakhourcantop 100 cyclists.

• Thehighestnumberofcyclistscountedin just one day so far, was on Sunday, 25th January 2009, the day of the final stage of the Tour Down Under in the city – when 943 cyclists enjoyed the River Torrens Linear Park.

• In2008,atotalof132,680cyclistswere counted using the River Torrens Linear Park path at Hindmarsh.

For more information on active transport visit www.transport.sa.gov.au and follow the links to TravelSmart.

Take every opportunity to be active12

Trails

Adventure TrailsWant a trail that is challenging, stimulat-ing and a bit out of the ordinary? Then why not take one of South Australia’s ‘adventure trails’? Whether it’s mountain biking through the remote Outback, diving amongst shipwrecks or hiking along a bush-track far from civilization, South Australia is sure to have something to get your adrenalin pumping.

If it’s cycling you’re after, the Mawson Trail offers some pretty challenging sec-tions. Designed for mountain bike or sturdy touring bike use, it can be quite difficult, with very steep uphill sections and challenging loops in some locations. The 10km ‘Wilcolo Track’, from Wilpena Pound to Bunyeroo Station, is particularly rewarding, offering great scenery and some technical riding for those who take the challenge.

Closer to Adelaide, the Fox Creek Mountain Bike Trails in Mount Crawford Forest offer challenging riding for those who haven’t got the time to travel to the Flinders. There are two, 3km downhill tracks plus an 8km cross-country track.

Bushwalking on the Heysen Trail is another option for adventure-seekers. Visit the Heysen Trail website for details on longer and more remote sections of the trail, including overnight camping locations.Divers should check out the Adelaide Underwater Heritage Trail, which includes four shipwrecks off the Gulf of St Vincent, ranging from Port Willunga in the south to the Yorke Peninsula. On the Limestone Coast, both Piccaninnie Ponds and Ewan Ponds offer great diving for experienced divers - permits are required.

On the River Murray, adventure seek-ers can take a canoe tour through the small creeks and waterways of the river, negotiating fallen trees and other obstacles as they go.

Finally, if you’re planning on taking an adventure trail, be sure to visit the ‘Safety’ section of the Trails SA website. Preparation and experience are essential ingredients for these trails.

Visitwww.southaustraliantrails.com.aufor more information.