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X-treme ProgrammingDr. Erik Rabinowitz

Appalachian State University&

David Rogers

Oklahoma State University

NRPA 2005 San Antonio, TX

Session 434

100s of free ppts from

www.pptpoint.com library

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Introduction

The advertisement for Sir Ernest Shackleton's1914-17 Trans-Antarctic expedition read:

'Men wanted: For hazardous journey. Small

wages, bitter cold, long months of completedarkness, constant danger, safe returndoubtful. Honor and recognition in case ofsuccess.

Once boys were sent out to freezing footballand rugby fields to make men of them; nowthey might assault a half-pipe instead.

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Snowboarding - Once the stepchild of the

ski slopes - now claims 7.2 millionparticipants, up 51 percent from 1999. Acrowd favorite at the Winter Olympics.

Skateboarding - Surged 49 percent

around 14 million participants. Wakeboarding -An increase of 32

percent to 3.5 million participants.

The subgenre of "board" sports thus getsa clean sweep of the top three growthpositions among all alternative sports.(American Sports Data, 2004)

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Inline Skating. There are more inline skaters thanthe combined number of H.S. baseball players (9.7

million) and football players (5.4 million). Paintball. Showed a growth by more than 60%

since 1998 from 5.9 million to 9.6 million in 2004.

Artificial Wall Climbing.Around 7.7 million

participants. Mountain Biking. 2nd most popular extreme sport

in the U.S. with 8.6 million participants at least onceper year and 3.4% of Americans riding 20+ days ayear.

Adventure Tourism. Estimated at 25%, or 55.5million Americans took a vacation where the primarypurpose was outdoor adventure.

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BMX Bicycling. The average age of a BMX

cyclist in 2004 was 24.7 years of age. Rock Climbing. i.e. Zero Gravity 9-18 years olds of

which six of the nine climbers earned a spot on their

respective national squads this year.

Windsurfing. Nearly 30% of all windsurfers livein the south, and more than 55% of all

windsurfers live in cities with a population of

more than two million people.

Kayaking. 130% growth to 10 million between1998-2004. 48% of participants were 16-24.

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Skatepark popularity is growing as communitiesrecognize that its a safe way for teens to

socialize. The National Safety Council and Consumer

Safety Commission has stated thatskateboarding is the safest of all recreationalsports for teens.

With 14 million teenage skatepark users in theU.S. and hundreds of skateparks underconstruction, the skatepark will soon be anessential element of every community park.

Skatepark use is now the #1 rated recreationalactivity for teens in a Sport By SportComparison.

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Extreme Olympics

Climbing and Surfing have beenrecognized by the InternationalOlympic Committee.

BMX slated to debut as a medalsport in 2008.

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This extreme sports participation has increased

as membership in team sports has decreased. Participation in baseball is down 28 percent

since 1987, to 9.7 million players.

Basketball declined by 5 percent in 2000 and

17 percent from its 1997 peak.

Since 1987, involvement in softball has

dropped by 37 percent.

Volleyball has plunged by 36 percent.

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Whats the impact?

More individualized ways of pushing

yourself. There is no winning and losing

as such, and little organization into

teams or leagues. Each individual isreally competing against him/herself.

While these are certainly desired

developmental attributes, would offeringopportunities for team based extreme

sport inhibit the development?

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Benefits of Team Participation

Attributes of team participation: socialrelationships, physical challenges, enhancingtheir skills and athletic ability, health

promotion and honest competition. There is significant amount of evidence that

team sports can increase a child's self-esteem and academic performance, while

decreasing the likelihood of disease and druguse.

Then again, to a child, all of these attributesequal the most desirable characteristic - morefun.

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10 X-tremely necessary steps

to setting up a X-team1. Assessment of potential

Do you have enough participants?

Survey Do you have a facility or practice

location (i.e. a skatepark?)

Are there available funds?

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10 X-tremely necessary steps to

setting up a X-team2. Create a Central Committee

Produce flyers that proclaim your

intentions. Get kids involved so they will drive the X-

bus.

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10 X-tremely necessary steps to

setting up a X-team3. Find Volunteer Coaches

BMX Bikers average age is 24.

Skaters over the age of 20 are plentiful. Rock Climber average age is 22.

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10 X-tremely necessary steps to

setting up a X-team4. Get people to sign on Produce a news release for the local media.

Announcing an upcoming meeting for parents

and volunteers. Kids will keep you on task if youlet them.

At the meeting, explain intentions to form a teamfor the benefit of ANY CHILD in the community.

You will need board members, coaches, andteam parent(s).

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10 X-tremely necessary steps to

setting up a X-team5. Committees needed Elect a Chairperson

Facilities Procurement

Team Sponsor Committee local sponsorship Coach Selection Committee

Finance Committee to estimate costs

Constitution Committee, whos job is to flood thecommunity with the news and set next meeting time,policies and procedures creation (kid rep.)

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6. Set up a bank account

7. Create a constitution8. Apply for charter with X-Teams (connect

with other communities)

9. Pipeline the media and hold a registration10. Start first X-team practice

10 X-tremely necessary steps to

setting up a X-team

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So What Do We Do Now?

First and foremost, open your park tobikes

Establish play days (let the good teach thebad & the ugly)

Team time on the park

Schedule exhibitions for the kids and the

public (they dont have to be pros) Coordinate with other P&Rs in the region

Let the big kids play too

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How Do We Fund It?

Donation/entry fees to events

Bike/skate for the team

Establish club vending at the park Local sponsorships

Apply for grants

Seems simple, but run an add in the paperasking for donations

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How Do We Keep It Fair?

A rating system

The kids decide

Establish trick lists Event judging panels (3 minimum)

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What Other Problems Does It Solve?

Maintenance

Youth Involvement/investment

Keeps kids engaged Shows them that they can make a

difference in their community

Breaks down US vs. THEM mentality

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For adultsXXX-treme Sports Too

Were not talking about nude street luging,

but big kids want to play too

We have to program outside our comfortzone

X-up the camps (kayak academies)

Adventure travel clubs Liability can be outsourced

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The Possibilities Are Endless

X-treme programming can be X-tremelyprofitable. Find what fits within yourprogramming, then find what doesnt and

offer both.How long does it take for a fad to become atrend? Then, how long does it take for atrend to become a program? Whats holdingus back?

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Questions?

Dr. Erik Rabinowitz

Appalachian State

University

The Holmes Center

ASU Box 32071

Boone, NC 28608-2071

(828)262-2540

rabinowitze@appstate.edu

David A. Rogers

Outdoor Adventure

Oklahoma State University

050 Colvin Rec. Center

Stillwater, Ok 74078

(405)744-7450

davidrogers21@yahoo.com