Hobby or Sport???

[David Wilson]

The word "sport" derives from the expression to "disport oneself", implying anything that is recreational. If you're looking for an expression that covers something that's both recreational and competitive, then there's the word "game". After all, we have the "Olympic Games", not the "Olympic Sports". One concession I will make to the "sport=competition" hypothesis is that it's a product of American culture. Here in Europe, we have a broader view of what "sport" means. In Russia, chess has indeed the status of a sport, do-able by anybody who understands the rules, not just by people with physical prowess. In Germany, recreational diving is often called "Sporttauchen" (sports diving) to distinguish it from professional diving. Broader definitions of the word "sport" do indeed open the doors to activities where "disporting" the mind, rather than the body, is involved, such as reading for pleasure. I don't see anything inherently wrong in this, bearing in mind the original meaning of "sport". If people can't live with sport being anything other than competitive, let them use the terms "game" or "competitive sport" instead to define such activities clearly. In my view, for what it's worth, scuba and snorkel diving can be described as sports, activities, hobbies, pursuits, pastimes and passions.

 

[jupitermermaid]

Who cares? Diving is therapuetic, but my insurance doesn't cover the cost. It's an addiction, one that I have no desire to get help for. I agree that it's a lifestyle and a passion, but could care less if it's called a hobby or sport. I just love it, and do it as often as I can.

 

[McCainiac]

If the morbidly obese can participate, it's not a sport, not in my opinion.

Those are also the people that shouldn't be diving at all.

 

[fnfalman]

Hobby AND sport.

 

[TMHeimer]

Sport connotes an element of competition.

Sadly, we are heading in that direction, but we are not there yet.

Right. Sports must have at least some competition. Diving would be more of an activity than a hobby, because there is a physical aspect. It could also be a hobby, but stamp collecting or reading would be more of a hobby than an activity.

 

[lmorin]

The hobby/sport issue is identical to that for skiing. There is competitive skiing and there is recreational skiing, with lots of variation in between (plus other variants such as extreme skiing). Recreational skiing is both a hobby and a sport. So is recreational diving. Both are pretty much devoid of competition.

As to other "sports," where do hunting and fishing fit in? They are certainly classic "sports" historically performed without an eye toward competition, although these days there are certainly competitions in both.

 

[abies]

Very Intersting I morin, I was firmly in the Hobby because Sport requires competition in my opinion, but I would have call Rec skiing a sport even though there is no competition, now I'll have to go re-evaluate.

Thanks

Ben

 

[Rhone Man]

Why would it matter?

I could actually see it mattering one day - it is quite easy to envisage an insurance lawsuit or the like, and the outcome of the claim depending upon whether the injury was a "sports related injury" or not.

Until then it is just an interesting way to while away the hours until work finishes.

 

[Herk_Man]

I recently had someone quite upset at me because I called cave diving an "extreme sport."

Sounds like someone you should take off of your Christmas card list. This is a silly discussion. It is what it is... to you.

 

[H2O 70]

Therefore, wood working and carving is also a sport.

Have you seen some of those lumber jack competitions? They are working wood and carving on a big scale, but I'd call them a sport...a stupid sport, but nevertheless a sport!

They call curling a sport...that one I don't get. How drunk were they when they figured out that one.