By Charlotte Hope, Lifestyle Editor @TLE_Lifestyle
Modern kids are a generation of ‘thrill-seekers’ who regularly take part in adrenalin-based activities their parents could only have dreamed of enjoying. Results have revealed that today’s kids are likely to have ticked off canoeing (25%), mountain-biking (20%), archery (24%) or go-karting (25%) by the time they reach young adulthood. More than one in three parents happily admitted that their child was generally more physically active than they were at the same point in their lives.
Children now have the world at their feet sports-wise with zorbing, white water rafting and knee-boarding. Most have their parents to thank for broadening their horizons: more than half of Brits said they encouraged their child to take part in a particular sport, with health and fitness the biggest driving factors. Other driving factors included increasing their children’s hobbies and improving their kid’s social skills.
Patrick Mitchell Club Med MD, who commissioned the research, said: ‘So many sports and activities have become mainstream and children can now try them out at school, on school trips or as part of a family holiday. Two decades ago no-one had dreamed of trying out flying trapeze, scuba diving or archery but now our customers always ask about the activities we offer in our resorts. ”
Findings from the study have also revealed that Scottish (70%) and Welsh (76%) kids are most keen on running around playing a game of football than their English cousins. Whilst comparatively, one in three youngsters in London have taken up energy-fuelled and high impact karate.
TOP TEN ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATION GO COMPARED TO THEIR PARENTS
GENERATION GO | PARENTS AT THE SAME AGE |
1.Canoeing | 1. Swimming |
2. Go – Karting | 2. Playing board games |
3. Archery | 3. Tennis |
4. Mountain Biking | 4. Football |
5. Golf | 5. Netball |
6. Karate | 6. Cricket |
7. Rock Climbing | 7. Rugby |
8. Gymnastics | 8. Flying a kite |
9. Snorkeling | 9. Sailing |
10. Rugby | 10. Gymnastics |