Dominican Republic Sports - Essay Example

Dominican Republic Sports During the early part of history sports was considered as one of the events undertaken and participated by countries all over the world but the significance of the said activity was not recognized until later in history. It was in the late 20th century when the importance of sports was recognized by the different groups in the society in the study of the culture and traditions of the society (Mccomb 2004). The essential role being played by sports in the identity of the particular culture can be considered equivalent as other factors such as language and the people itself. Interests increased through history from the people directly involved in sports to the groups that study the culture and traditions of the society such as the sociologists, the anthropologist and the philosophers. Based on the recognized significance of the study of sports in a nation, a certain view of the nation can be achieved. Such objective is aimed to be achieved in the study to recognize and gain a substantial knowledge on the characteristics of countries in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is the main focus of the study, along with the famous sports in the country and the significance of the said activities in the history and the culture of the country as well. The Country The Dominican Republic is one of the island countries found in the Caribbean region. Due to the geographical characteristic of the said country, it is famous for water activities and sports. To be able to determine and recognize the main characteristic of the nation and the people there are different factors that can be considered. Included in these factors are the sports that can be considered as famous in the country (Brown 1999) Sports are recognized as one of the facets that can describe a nation due to the fact that it can be related to the different aspects of the society. These factors that are considered essential are the physical aspects such as the geography, the people and the history of the country. Sports can be considered wrapped up in every stage of the nation's history, is related to the geographic characteristics of the country and even the attitudes and customs of the people (Mccomb 2004). The Dominican Republic is composed of a variety of sports. This can be attributed to the fact that the country is also reach in the different forms of geographical forms ranging form the highlands towards the different form of water bodies. The sports that are famous in this island country can also be related to the locations such as the land and the water sports (Brown 1999). Sports Played in the Dominican Republic Being accepted as one of the main categories in the determination of the characteristics of the nation, the sports being played by the nation can be identified along with arts and culture. The Dominican Republic can be described as one of the nations in the Caribbean that can attract visitors on the basis of the different attractions. One of these attractions is relation to the sports in the country (Ministry of Tourism 2006). The particular Caribbean nation is known due to the variety of sports that can be played in its territory. These types of sports can be categorized on the basis of the location where the particular sports can be played. These sports played in the Dominican Republic can either be water or land sports. A. Water Sports Water sports are played in the Dominican Republic such as windsurfing and jet skiing due to the combined scenery and the fact that the island is wrapped around with water bodies. Sailing and boat tours can also be added to the list of the water sports available in the country. Other sea sports and recreations can also be considered such as scuba diving and deep sea fishing (Ministry of Tourism 2006). 1. Snorkeling and Deep Sea Diving The said sports can be considered as one of the most famous sports in the country being an island. Ecotourism is one of the weapons that can attract tourist in the country. There are many sites that are known for diving and snorkeling such as Sosua, Cabrera and Las Terrenas. Other sites are the Sasman peninsula, Punta Rucia, La Caleta National Underwater Park, Catalina and Saona islands. Barahona is one of the sites that are being developed for the said purpose and also as a reserved (Colonial Zone-DR 2006). With regards to diving, one of the considered authorities in the country is the Official Diving Guide of the Dominican Republic. The said organization is involved in the different project in the marine environment. Such fields includes underwater archeology that is applicable to the discovery of the different underwater wreckage. Marine biology is also included in the underwater adventure, a learning, adventure and sporting event in one. The learning experience also includes the underwater observation and arts which is undertaken through photography and documentary films (Colonial Zone-DR 2006; Ministry of Tourism 2006). 2. Surfing Wind and water sports are combined in one of the most known sports in the Dominican Republic. The environment and the physical characteristics of the country can be considered as conducive for surfing. The weather, the atmosphere and the eater itself attracts a respectable number of surfers. Though surfing can be considered as one of the youngest form of water sports in the country but it has been continuously being recognized in the different areas in the country (Colonial Zone-DR 2006; Ministry of Tourism 2006). The growing popularity surfing can be recognized in the consistently increasing visitors of the different surfing sites and even the events specifically competitions that are being held in these areas. Some of the surfing sites that are included in the list of the Dominican Republic are the Playa Encuentro, the Playa Canal, Playa Grande and Playa Preciosa in the North Coast. In the same region Coco Pipe, Destroyer, La Bahia and Playa Caleton can be found. The southern part of the country is occupied by the surfing sites such as Playa Bahoruco, Playa El Chinchorro, Playa Guibia, Playa Los Patos, El Broke, Los Muros, Cayenas, and El Pecao (Colonial Zone-DR 2006). These locations are only a portion of the site that can be utilized for the said sports. Other areas are developed for the purpose of water sports which can be considered as an important facet in the Dominican Republic culture and its society. 3. Kiteboarding The beaches of the Dominican Republic, according to the people that are involved in kiteboarding, can be considered as of the places wherein the said sports can be engaged in. Kiteboarding is one of the newly developed water sports. Due to the physical conditions and factors that can be experienced in the beaches of the country, some of the organizations involved in the said sports resides and conduct activities and competitions in the country on a regular basis. The competitions that are held in the country are open to participants of different countries, thus, the Dominican Republic is considered to be known when it comes to these types of sports (Colonial Zone-DR 2006; Ministry of Tourism 2006). 4. Other Water Sports There are other water sports that are included in the list of the activities that make the Dominican Republic famous and known. One of these water sports is the river rafting. Unlike the other water sports, the river rafting is done in the freshwater specifically rivers and rapids (Colonial Zone-DR 2006). Water sports can be considered as the most prevalent sports in the Dominican Republic due to the geography of the country. This characteristic of the nation can be considered as on of the most important way to be able to determine the culture of the nation. With regards to the culture and traditions being exercised in the country, it can be considered to be greatly intertwined with the activities related to water. The people of the country can also be considered as those that excel in water sports. B. Inland Sports Aside from the sports that are played in the water bodies, there are also famous sports that are played inland of the Dominican Republic as well as the other Caribbean nations. These sports include ball games such as tennis, baseball, golf, etc. Also considered are the sports such as polo, horse back riding, cycling and other related sport on land. There are also adventure sports that can be undertaken crediting the natural resources of the country (Ministry of Tourism 2006). 1. Baseball If there is a single sports that can be considered to represent the country it is baseball. This is due to the fact that the particular sports can be considered as the most famous sports in the country. The members of the population are involved in the said sports in certain ways. One of the main reasons that can be considered related to the passion of the country for the particular sports is the fact that the country excel in the field. The national team is known internationally (Colonial Zone-DR 2006; Ministry of Tourism 2006). Baseball is historically rooted in the culture of the Dominican Republic being brought by the Cuban and became part of the lives of the people. The rules and the dynamics of the game have been known in the 19th century and through most part of the country's history (Ministry of Tourism 2006). The said sport is attached to the country, thus, can be considered as connected to the culture and the traditions of the people. Excelling in the said sports can be considered as one of the demonstration of the attachment of the people to baseball. In the early 20th century the national team was built and competed to other countries. Although the country's professional baseball game was ceased in the 30's in relation to the economic crisis that was experienced in different parts of the world, it was revived in the mid-20th century and became the sports that again represented the country. Although this is the condition, recreational baseball was being played in the country. Being established, both the amateur and the professional baseball made their mark in the country. This resulted to the establishments of competitions and events for both events. The competition of amateur baseball is assigned in summer while the professional baseball is held during the winter, thus, also known as the winter baseball (Ministry of Tourism 2006). Based on the attachment of the particular game to the lives of the people of the Dominican Republic, it can be perceived to be related to the important events in the history of the country and the culture. 2. Adventure Sports Due to the diversity of the ecosystem of the Dominican Republic, one of the most famous activities and sports in the country is the adventure sports. The said activity can be composed of different events such as mountain climbing, repelling, and even paragliding. Rock climbing and caving are also related to the activities in an adventure sports. Also the country is known to be the home to the highest peak in the Caribbean region (Colonial Zone-DR 2006). These sports that are performed inland of the Dominican Republic hold some of the most important ways to be able to better know and achieve a view on the people and culture of the country. Sports hold an essential place in the lives of every nation. Analysis of the Dominican Republic Sports One of the primary considerations in the study of the sports of a nation, specifically the Dominican Republic, is the definition of the term. The essential meaning of the word in relation to the sociological meaning is the main purpose of the study. Sport then is an activity that encourages a group of people or even a person to perform on the basis of the strength of physical and related aspects. The activity can fall within the line of playing, recreation and athletics depending on the level of preparation and the efforts that are given to the particular activity (Mccomb 2004). There are also essential factors that are considered in sports such as the efforts given, the laws of the game and the interplay of the different factors when the game is already brought into the arena. Sports can be considered as an important field of study in culture. This is due to the fact that the prevalence of the particular activity or sport in the country requires the interaction with the people in the society. The game that transcends and succeeds in a particular country enfolds the tradition of the nation. In this effect, the members of the population molds and grow with the game. In this effect, knowing the sports and the activities of the population is a way of determining the culture and traditions of the nation towards the road of understanding and interconnecting (Karen and Washington 2001). The aforementioned state can be exemplified by the role of baseball in the culture of the nation. The activities that are undertaken by the population can be related to the seasons of the game, such that during winter and summer, families and friends open up to each other and share the effect of the sport. The perseverance and the dedication of the people can be related to the athletes that serve as model for the youth (Brown 1999). Sports as an expression of the power, strength and passion can be recognized as a form of art, specifically performing art. This can be attributed to the dedication of the athletes to perform calculated actions that are in tuned with rules they are attached to. This can greatly be compared to arts (Brown 1999; Mccomb 2004). Based on the study that was conducted sports is essential in identifying and studying the culture of a nation. Although this is the case, there is still a lack of formal knowledge in the relationship of the study of sports and the culture. This can be attributed to the outlook of the people involved in the said field. It is the reason that sports can oftentimes be equated to fun and games and that outlook separates the field from the academic field. The potential though of the determination of the culture of the people in any given place or country can be perceived as important in the said field. Summary and Conclusion The Dominican Republic can be considered as one of the most dynamic and diverse culture in relation to the sports that are being played in the country. The physical characteristics along with the attitudes of the population shape up the country. Sports can be considered as one of the most important attribute in the country due to the fact that activities such as recreational and gaming had accompanied the nation through history. One of the sports that shaped up the nation is baseball. The said game is wrapped up in the country's struggle against different adversities such as war and independence. It can be perceived to have kept the nation alive during those times. Gaps in the history through difficult times were connected by the survival of the sports that the people learned to love and that kept them sane. Through these simple reasons and attributes, sports deserve to earn an independent category in the study of culture. Works Cited Brown, Isabel Zakrzewski. Culture and Customs of the Dominican Republic. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. Colonial Zone-DR. 2006. Dominican Republic Pastimes. Colonial Zone-DR website. 12 December 2006 Harris, Othello, George B. Kirsch, & Claire E. Nolte. Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000. Karen, David and Robert E. Washington. Sport and Society. Annual Review of Sociology 2001: 187. Mccomb, David G. Sports in World History. New York: Routledge, 2004. Ministry of Tourism. 2006. Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. 12 December 2006 Read More