Critical Analysis of the Authenticity of Adventure Racers Identities - Research Paper Example

? Critical Analysis of the Authenti of Adventure Racers Identities Critical Analysis of the Authenti of Adventure Racers Identities Introduction This paper will make use of a critical analysis theory to examine what it is that makes the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The paper will also critically examine the factors that do not make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport of adventure racing. Adventure racing is at times known as expedition racing. This type of racing combines endurance disciplines such as orienteering, navigation, mountain biking, cross country racing, paddling, climbing or sports related to rope skills (Dugard, 1998). An examination of what it is that makes the identity of adventure racers in the sport authentic reveals that the characters involved in the sport usually depict a characteristic of resistance. This sport is self-sufficient, multidiscipline, multiday, non-stop, and it also involves a mixed gender team. This sport being a multiday sport requires that the racers master several outdoor skills. The racers are also required to develop skills on how to manage risks such as illness and injury. These are some of the factors that are seen to make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The racers are also required to get accustomed to harsh conditions such as the deprivation of sleep, extreme weather conditions, harsh terrains and weight loss (Brown and Eisenhardt, 1998). The distinctive Habitus theory and adventure racing This paper will use the distinctive Habitus theory to critically examine what makes adventure racers authentic in the sport. The Habitus theory will examine the embodied culture and link it with some of the new corporate cultures, and examine how they influence the authenticity of adventure racers identities. The analysis will be based on the concept of Pierre Bourdieu, which tends to be pivotal in the practice of authentic racing. According to this theory, adventure racing incorporates some schemes of disposition and these are some of the factors that make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The theory illustrates that perceptions and appreciation tends to orient to the practice of adventure racing, in order to enhance its meaning. The social Habitus can make adventure racers authentic for the sport because of the living conditions they are exposed to. The social space generates some principles that determine a person’s taste regarding adventure racing. The products that the society has to offer in terms of appreciation to individuals who participate in the sport also contribute to the authenticity of adventure racing to some individuals. The distinctive tastes also make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in that they determine the differences in appreciation and perception as illustrated in the Habitus theory. These differences can be social, symbolic, physical or economic. This theory illustrates how the distinctive tastes influence the authenticity of adventure racers in the sport (Laberge and Sankoff, 1988). The Habitus theory is essential in understanding the factors that make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in that it illustrates how the specificity exhibited by individuals from different social groups influence their preference for the sport. The different social groups dictate the values and believes concerning the sport, therefore influencing the cultural discourse in relation to adventure racing. A critical analysis of what makes the identity of adventures racers authentic in the sport reveals that there are parallels that exist concerning the conceptualization, the judgments and the perceptions of the practice embedded in the practice of authentic racing. This theory uncovers the generating principles in relation to the Habitus and how they make adventure racing authentic. It also examines how the new corporate Habitus tends to make the identity of adventure racers authentic. The theory examines the benefits brought about by the new corporate Habitus in terms of knowledge, personnel development and skills (Laberge and Sankoff, 1988). The factors that make the identity of adventure racers authentic are influenced by the environment from which the sport is practiced. Despite the sport being a sport that is practiced in natural environments; artificial settings have also been developed for the practice of the sport. This is what the theory refers to as the indoorization of adventure racing, which is known to be an outdoor sport, therefore influencing the authenticity of adventure racers towards the sport. It is this that results to questions as to whether adventure racers can be considered authentic participants (Houlihan, 1994). It is a fact that in the past, adventure racing as a sport was practiced in natural environments. However, with developments in the modern world, the sport has been practiced in artificial settings, for example, in snow domes. Questions still arise as to whether the popularity of adventure racing influences the authenticity of adventure racers in terms of the lifestyle. The lifestyle influences the authenticity of adventure racers, evident with the introduction of the new commercial versions of adventure racing. This paper therefore critically examines how the identity of adventure racers is made authentic through the consumption of the authenticity that has been constructed in the cultural context through a rise in artificial environments of training (Houlihan, 1994). Lifestyles and the authenticity of adventure racers identities Adventure racing being a lifestyle sport, is a sport that involves risk taking. This sport is characterized by freedom, sensation and adventure. When an adventurous sport such as adventure racing is moved from the outdoor setting to the artificial setting or the indoor setting, then it is likely to influence the authenticity of adventure racer’s identities. In analyzing what makes the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport, an analysis of the lifestyles exhibited by the participants in the sport can be examined in terms of the participants involved in natural environments and those participating in artificial environments. The background tends to be essential in illustrating how the spatial configuration in adventure racing, which is nowadays considered a lifestyle sport, tends to make the identity of adventure racers authentic. The introduction of artificial facilities for training during adventure racing influences the authenticity of adventure racers identities. Training involving the use of such facilities as artificial climbing walls can make the identity of adventure racers authentic. This form of training does not incorporate some of the natural hazards that an adventure racer can be involved in such as the falling of rocks, harsh weather conditions, long hikes or even the rough terrains that other racers training in natural environments encounter. It is therefore evident that the introduction of some of the artificial facilities has made a contribution in identity of adventure racers authenticity in the sport. As early as the nineties during speed climbing events, artificial climbing walls were used. Therefore, the introduction of such facilities might have influenced the identity of adventure racers with the sport as it attracts more racers as a result of the reduced risks involved (Kay and Laberge, 2001). The other forms of artificial racing such as snowboarding and skiing have also involved the use of artificial facilities, therefore influencing the identity of adventure racers in terms of the environment. Such artificial facilities make adventure racers’ identity authentic because there are places where natural facilities such as slopes or snow never exist. For example, in Netherlands, artificial ski slopes were constructed for adventure racers, to ensure that a climate controlled environment was created for the participation of the adventure racers. The introduction of artificial training facilities has influenced the identities of adventure racers in that with the introduction of facilities such as ski simulators and slope carpets, the authenticity of adventure racers has been influenced. An example can be illustrated in the Sydney Ski Show, which occurred in the year 1986. Therefore, the identity of adventure racers has been made authentic with the introduction of artificial facilities for training since the facilities tend to provide favorable environments for sporting. The introduction of such facilities has also influenced other countries to adopt the artificial facilities for their adventure racers. Countries such as Belgium, Japan, Great Britain and Netherlands have also embraced the use of artificial facilities for training their adventure racers, therefore influencing the authenticity of the adventure racers (Laberge and Kay, 2002). An examination of the Habitus theory also reveals that the natural environments also make a contribution to making the identity of adventure racers authentic. Research suggests that natural environments tend to play a crucial role in terms of making the identity of adventure racers authentic. Natural environments provide a challenging environment for the adventure racers, and this is considered a crucial concept for the experience and participation of adventure racers in the sport. The theory argues that the closeness to nature by being part of the natural sceneries, contributes to making the identities of adventure racers authentic. It is argued that when an adventure racer is transferred from an artificial scene to a scene of reality, then the vital motives of the racers are likely to be realized, therefore, making the identity of adventure racers authentic (Laberge and Kay, 2002). In the past, the adventure racing was left for participants who were hardcore. This suggests that the ability of a racer to bear harsh conditions also make the identity of an adventure racer authentic. It is thought that this made the identity of an adventure racer authentic in that the racers were required to spend years of training in harsh environments. In ensuring the identity of an adventure racer was authentic, the racers were required to demonstrate some knowledge of the environment and technology. The other esteemed values were technical and physical skills. Investments also played a role in making the identity of adventure racers authentic. The aspects of investments that were considered essential included time, money and efforts (Laberge and Kay, 2002). An evaluation of the sport reveals that individuals who participate in adventure racing are young men. Since the start of the sport, most of the participants were young men. This can be used to evaluate what makes the identity of adventure racers authentic. Despite the rare participation of the women in adventure racing, there are few women who have participated in the sport despite the male dominance. This has been attributed to the increased risks that are associated with the sport, which is usually thought that the women can rarely bear. This can be a factor that makes the identity of adventure racers authentic (Laberge and Kay, 2002). It is argued that despite the increased participation of women in the sport, it is required that the women participating in adventure racing behave or depict masculine characteristics. This is essential in that it ensures the women are in a position to bear the harsh conditions experienced during participation in the sport. It is also argued that the development of masculine characteristics by the women is essential as it ensures that the male racers accept the women as a result of the mannish culture. It is therefore thought that these are some of the factors that make the identities of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The participation of women in adventure racing has also made contributions in making the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in that some kind of growth has been realized in adventure racing, from the time when the women were allowed to participate in the sport. It is argued that some of the sporting activities that the women engage in during adventure racing attract other women by increasing their desire to also participate in the sport. Bouldering, which is an example of adventure racing that is considered as a social form of climbing, is seen to attract mostly the girls because of its explosive characteristic. However, despite the attraction of female participants towards adventure racing, it is evident that a separation still tends to exist between male and female racers. This illustrates how gender tends to play a role in making the identity of adventure racers authentic (Dugard, 1998). Culture and the authenticity of adventure racers identities This theory attempts to illustrate how identity and culture have made contributions in making the identity of adventure racers authentic to the sport. Adventure racing is a sport that has been characterized by nomadic, natural, hedonistic and non-commercialized alternatives. It is however evident that these characteristics of adventure racing have been challenged by factors such as the commodification of culture and competition. The theory uses culture to illustrate how it makes the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. It is illustrated there are tensions that have existed between some of the subculture associated with adventure racing and some of the mainstreaming process that are involved in adventure racing. It is argued that some of the developments that have been experienced in adventure racing have contributed in the destruction of the identity of adventure racers in the sport. It is argued that increasing commodification in adventure racing has affected the authenticity of adventure racers in the sport. It is debated that commodification and commercialization does not make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The introduction of the different sport cultures has had an impact in adventure racing. The growth in the costs, the demands in fashion and the extensive involvement of the media in such sports do not make the identity of adventure racers authentic on the sport. The theory argues that the introduction of the different social conventions do not make the identity of adventure racers authentic (Laberge and Kay, 2002). This theory attempts to illustrate how social morality makes identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in terms of measuring their performativity. This theory attempts to create a link between the different cultural values such as compassion and honest communication and how they make the identity of adventure racers authentic to the sport. The theory illustrates that the identity of an adventure racer is dictated by an individual’s ability to be mission oriented. The theory argues that these features act as a venue for the improvement of the racers participation in the sport. However, the introduction of the new sports culture tenets tends to affect the practices involved in such sports as adventure racing as they occupy a cultural position different from social morality. It is therefore argued that social morality does not make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. It is however illustrated that when some of the rules and norms regarding the sport are rejected, the morality and pleasure is likely to be obtained by adventure racers, therefore making the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport. This is because adventure racing tends to be a form of hedonistic project that concentrates on the racer rather than the society. The theory illustrates that if the new cooperate culture concerning adventure racing can be embraced by individuals, then this can contribute to making identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in that the hard values that are imposed on the racers by the traditional structures will be rejected. It is argued that the new corporate cultures may make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport because the new corporate cultures are constructed in a manner that ensures a sense of authenticity is developed in ensuring identity, and the core values of the sport are achieved (Lobmeyer and Weidinger, 1992). The media and the Authenticity of Adventure Racers Identities It is also thought that the media has played a significant role in making the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport in that traditionally, the media created stories and myths concerning adventure racing, which required that the racers be in a position to bear the harsh conditions they were exposed to in the natural environments. However, it is argued that the media might have contributed to making the identity of adventure racers authentic to the sport through their narrative constructs. The narratives created by the media concerning adventure racing might contribute towards making the identity of adventure racers authentic in the manner through which the media penetrates the discourse of the sport. The media makes the identity of adventure racers authentic by penetrating into the ethos associated with adventure racing; therefore creating a narrative that tends to be unique regarding adventure racing as a sport. It is argued that despite the presence of the media being obvious if not intrusive in the sport, it is evident that it is the constructed drama displayed by the media that contributes towards making the identities of adventure racers authentic in the sport. The media plays a role in making the identities of adventure racers authentic when they concentrate on the how the racers tend to negotiate with the dangers they are exposed to by the natural environments. This therefore creates a sense of authenticity among the participants. It is however thought that the media tends to play a significant role in making the identities of adventure racers in the sport authentic by creating a spectacle of performance (Sage, 1998). The factors that make the identity of adventure racers authentic in the sport depend on the adventure racers ability to socialize with the risks they encounter; it depends on the mediators of risks involved, the space of the risk, the negotiation involved in terms of coping with the risks during adventure racing and the sensations. The perceptions exhibited by the adventure racers regarding the sport also contribute to making the identities of the racers authentic in the sport. It is illustrated that perceptions such as self-perception play a role in boosting the confidence of the racer, which is an essential mediator in executing the risks accompanied with adventure racing. It is a fact that the ability of adventure racers to embrace the unknown and the need for control plays a role in making the identities of adventure racers authentic in the sport. When the racers view death as a mediator to the risks involved, and their examination of their risks to be equal to the rewards that are likely to accompany the race, it makes the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport. It is therefore evident that the ability of the adventure racers to make use of self-talk and visualization in the risky activities they engage in during adventure racing is what makes their identities authentic to the race (Sage, 1998). This theory therefore illustrates how the development of the adventure racers risks perceptions is an essential factor in making the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport. The theory illustrates how current perceptions may make the identity of adventure racers authentic to the sport. The theory also illustrates how the current risk perceptions of a racer are related to the adventure racing experiences that a racer may be exposed to. The exposure of some of the adventure racers to such risks at a tender age, contributes to making the identities of the racers authentic to the sport. This is exhibited in the differences exhibited by racers who are involved in adventure racing, but with lower risks. It is thought that if an adventure racer is involved in the most risky aspects of adventure racing, such as mountaineering or white water skiing at a tender age, then this is likely to contribute towards making the adventure racers identity authentic to the sport. This is because it is thought that this makes such racers to become socialized to such risks at a tender age, making them comfortable to the risks they encounter during adventure racing. Issues such as the deprivation of sleep also make the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport. Lack of sleep contributes to the racers inability to safely execute some of the tasks, and they are also not in a position to make efficient decisions because of such harsh treatments as the lack of sleep. This results to an increase in the dangers the racers are exposed to while participating in the race. Most individuals are willing to participate in adventure racing, but the perceived risky actions that tend to be life threatening are what make the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport (Sage, 1998). Judgment of the worthiness of the theory Judging the worthiness of this theory in terms of what makes the identity adventure racers authentic in the sport, reveals that the judgments and the perceptions that have been developed by adventure racers towards the sport usually make the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport. This can be illustrated from the differences exhibited by participants who train using the artificial facilities and those who train under the harsh environmental conditions. Judging from this theory, it is evident that the racers, who desire to obtain a status or those who desire to obtain rewards in adventure racing, need to change their environments of practice. Some of the factors that play a role in making the identities of adventure racers authentic in the sport include the construction of self-image, the impacts of their performances and the harsh conditions they are likely to be exposed to during the practice. However, despite the risks that are associated with adventure racing, the sport tends to be profitable. The construction of identity and differences concerning adventure racing based on social perceptions, which have caused people to view the sport as fringe, risky and tough, have caused a few individuals to participate in the sport, causing the sport to have some associative value. This therefore makes identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport (Sewart, 1987). Conclusion In conclusion, the risk perception contributes to making the identities of adventure racers authentic to the sport. Some of the organizations have come up with ways of mediating the risks for the adventure racers since the risk perceptions of an individual play a significant role in making adventure racers authentic in the sport. Issues such as navigation, the deprivation of sleep and the insertion of the racer’s strategies such as speed to ensure they succeed in the race, all make adventure racers authentic to the sport. For adventure racers to win the race, they must overcome their fears. They need to deal with issues such as team dynamics, and they have to endure physical stress. Also, they have to adapt to the changing environments that they are exposed to (Beamish, 1982). References Beamish, R. (1982). Sport, Culture and the Modern State. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Brown, S. L., and Eisenhardt, K.M. (1998). Competing on the Edge: Strategy as Structured Chaos. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Dugard, M. (1998). Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth. New York: McGraw-Hill. Houlihan, B. (1994). Homogenization, Americanization and Creolization of Sport: Varieties of Globalization. Sociology of Sport Journal, 11, 356–75. Kay, J., and Laberge, S. (2001). Gender Dynamics in the Field of Adventure Racing: Misrecognition and the Legitimation of Power. In J. Kay, The Social Signification of New Sport Practice: The Case of Adventure Racing unpublished doctoral thesis. Montreal: University of Montreal. Laberge, S., and Kay, J. (2002). 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