Playground Lofoten: joyful-sustainable adventurous lifestyles and their multi-dimensional relationship with natural environment

• Main Author: Zimmermann, Maja
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: natur; ferdigheter; risiko; ekstremsport; mestring; Lofoten; Norway; Vesterålen; Langseth
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2434242

Masteroppgave - Norges idretthøgskole, 2016 This descriptive case study of the independent documentary series Lofotsprell [Playground Lofoten] aims to describe and interpret the values and practices of the Wegge siblings in order to gain insight into the multi-dimensionality (Langseth, 2012) of adventurous lifestyles. Lofotsprell follows the four Wegge siblings as engage with their local natural environment (Lofoten and Vesterålen, Norway) in playful, adventurous, and sustainable ways. The Wegges practice a ‘joyful-sustainable adventure lifestyle’. I employ a phenomenological virtual/analysis (Ardévol, 2012) of Lofotsprell and its virtual (internet) context. My reflexive (Pauwels, 2012) analysis shows the increasingly relational and interactive nature of documentary as virtual content in a virtual context. I also note the implications for the grass-roots environmental movement of Lofotsprell’s social media platforms as online ‘places’ where people from multiple physical locations create culture and community. My inquiry is guided by the question “What is the Wegges’ relationship with the natural environment?” I seek to describe ways in which they experience, relate to, reflect upon, feel about, and understand the natural world, and consider the possible social and biological influences of their background and experiences on their relationship with nature. Three emic themes emerge: an anthropocentric perspective on nature, a focus on safety rather than risk, and skill as an embodied practice that mediates interaction with nature. The study reveals ambiguities, contradictions, and identity- and boundary-crossing practices in the Wegges’ joyful-sustainable adventure lifestyle. Seksjon for kroppsøving og pedagogikk / Department of Physical Education