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angry
Mar 12, 2004, 3:21 PM
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Maybe this has already been done, if it has...apologies.
I am not speaking about climbing comps. I am talking about hanging out at the crags and climbing. While it is certain that climbing requires athletisicm, mental focus, and training, there is no blatent competition. While there is spray and number chasing it isn't that important. If I were to go play a game of bastketball, even just for fun and among friends, we would keep score.
The "gaming" aspect of climbing is lacking, I believe this to be a good thing. It is what keeps me sane and keeps me motivated to climb. If climbing were a sport or a game, its purity would be lost, and thus much of its appeal. I hear climbing referred to as a sport and as a game, I think neither is true. Most sports have a competetive pinnicle, the best are the top competitors. I race a bike and long to have the legs of top European pros, to be able to win. Most climbers (that I know), couldn't care less about comps, they'd love to be able to crank hard but it's not about winning. It seems that the pinnicle of our sport (no pun intended) is intrinsic, self satisfying, and non-comparative. That sets climbing apart.
These are just some of my thoughts, and unlike most of my posts, there is a slight chance I am wrong. I'd like to hear others opinions on this.
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thinksinpictures
Mar 12, 2004, 3:24 PM
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Dude, people call chess a sport. It's competitive, but not athletic. People call running a sport, even if they don't compete. Climbing is climbing. Beyond that, it's no more or no less than you want it to be.
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 3:30 PM
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I consider climbing to be a sport. I think we do "keep score" in a way and that competition with yourself and others you climb with is a central part of the activity. People (8a.nu and others) keep track of who does what and there does emerge a "ranking" of who is best.
Long before climbing competitions became popular, Jerry Moffatt said (in the 1984 movie "On the Rocks") that "competition is good in climbing. Its really great when you can burn somebody off."
By the way, scoring per se is not what makes something a sport in my mind. Golf, darts, bowling etc. all keep score--but are more games than sports to me. There's my $.02.
Curt
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usmc_2tothetop
Mar 12, 2004, 3:32 PM
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I think a sport can be a hobby. But I don't think it's a game. It all depends on peoples defenition of sport I guess.
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dirtineye
Mar 12, 2004, 3:34 PM
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I agree that for some, climbing is not about competition, at least, not competition with other climbers.
Others try to make it into a comp though. I think they are missing the best part of climbing by doing this.
I don't really like this analogy much, but here it is anyway, for those who have to keep score:
The only 'score' that matters in climbing is, you vs the rock. IF you go home in one piece, you win. If you get hurt or die, the rock wins.
In reply to: It seems that the pinnicle of our sport (no pun intended) is intrinsic, self satisfying, and non-comparative.
Nice way of puting it.
Anyone that thinks chess is not a sport has never played in competitive USCF or FIDE chess tournaments LOL.
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usmc_2tothetop
Mar 12, 2004, 3:35 PM
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I think curt has the best point
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climbingmusician
Mar 12, 2004, 3:36 PM
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[indigo]There are quite a few "sports" that shouldn't be considered a sport this is definately a sport much more than football for golf(sorry to those of you who like it) but as far as i'm conserned it is definately a sport no matter what. Heck climbers are more in shape than most althletes. :) :wink:[/indigo]
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 3:38 PM
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Oh, and..............Chess is NOT a sport.
Curt
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j_ung
Mar 12, 2004, 3:38 PM
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I ride for the pure enjoyment of it: the freedom of movement, the wind in my face, etc. But biking is still a sport.
(PS - Hey, did you ever gain any weight from drinking better beer?)
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boulder_boy
Mar 12, 2004, 3:39 PM
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if climbing isnt a sport then I dont know what is
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diesel___smoke
Mar 12, 2004, 3:40 PM
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In reply to: Long before climbing competitions became popular, Jerry Moffatt said (in the 1984 movie "On the Rocks") that "competition is good in climbing. Its really great when you can burn somebody off." Curt
Hmm, not to give you a hard time Curt, but...
"Climbing for speed records will probably become more popular, a mania which has just begun. Climbers climb not just to see how fast and efficiently they can do it, but far worse, to see how much faster and more efficiently they are than a party which did the same climb a few days before. The climb becomes secondary, no more important than a racetrack. Man is pitted against man." — Yvon Chouinard.
Just throwing another point of view in...
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dirtineye
Mar 12, 2004, 3:41 PM
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In reply to: Oh, and..............Chess is NOT a sport. Curt
Do you play competitive chess Other Curt?
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andy_reagan
Mar 12, 2004, 3:41 PM
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its like anything else in life. Climbing will attract competitive people who do want to keep "score", but will also attract more laid back people who look at it as a lifestyle.
I have a friend who golfs 3-4 times a week, he practices his swing, has a mini putting green at his home, but still views golf playing as a lifestyle choice, not a sport. This is very similar to myself who climbs 3-4 times a week, practices my technique, and have a hangboard in my room. I view climbing as a lifestyle choice (and a damn fun one at that). :D
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anfbymyrock
Mar 12, 2004, 3:48 PM
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In the same way racing "sports" are timed but not necessarily scored (swimming a 400 in 6:30 mins, running a mile in 8 mins, etc.), climbs are rated to give the competitor as well as the onlookers a system in which to categorize progress/rank.
Essentially, climbing could be considered an individual sport the same way running, swimming, biking, or whatever could be. Whoever is climbing is putting their body in motion for the sake of competition, whether that be with themselves or with someone else ("they just did that climb? I can totally flash that...I've gotta try it!").
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crazygirl
Mar 12, 2004, 3:49 PM
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there are lots of sports you can do without keeping score, or being competitive.
swimming, skiing, biking, surfing
:roll:
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drkodos
Mar 12, 2004, 3:51 PM
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Sport is defined as ANYTHING done for recreative purposes.
Climbing is a sport. It is not sporting.
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aklimerguy
Mar 12, 2004, 3:54 PM
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What difference does it make?...Sport, game, hobby...Who cares?! How about we just climb and have fun!
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murf
Mar 12, 2004, 3:54 PM
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In reply to: Sport is defined as ANYTHING done for procreative purposes. Climbing is a sport. It is not sporting.
I always knew sex was a sport.
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 3:54 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: Oh, and..............Chess is NOT a sport. Curt Do you play competitive chess Other Curt?
No. But I play competitive darts. Chess and darts are both games to me. Golf might be somewhere in between. Why? Because to me the true difference between a sport and a game has always been the physical aspect. Here's my definition.
To achieve or participate at the elite level of a sport, extreme strength and physical conditioning is required. Climbing fits this definition, so do gymnastics, basketball, baseball and most other things commonly called sports. However, it is theoretically possible to be a great chess player and weigh 300 pounds and/or be 80 yeras old--same thing with darts, which you can play with a pint in one hand.
Curt
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cutiger
Mar 12, 2004, 3:56 PM
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"There are only 3 real sports: bull-fighting, car racing and mountain climbing. All the others are mere games."
— Hemingway.
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drkodos
Mar 12, 2004, 3:58 PM
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curt, by definition, games are sport.
The definition of:
sport
1. to play or frolic
2. to divert or amuse.
3 ANY activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation, pastime, diversion.
4. fun; play
5. a thing joked about
6. a gambler
7. a person who has a sportsmanlike or sproting characteristics.
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oldsalt
Mar 12, 2004, 4:04 PM
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I surfed the North Shore one season and the East Coast of Florida for many years. I entered a competition when I was younger, and I can't remember where I placed. I was a competition judge later, but wised up.
Surfing is not about competition for the vast majority of surfers. My best days are not documented in films or magazines, but d*mn I've had some days. Surfing, skateboarding, and climbing are at least three very similar lifestyle sports. You have to be "different" in the head somehow to have the need to do them when no one is watching.
Personally, forget the stars, the champions, and just climb and worry about light or dark beer after. Enjoy the sight of ripped upper bodies and backup your rappels.
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jgrierson
Mar 12, 2004, 4:04 PM
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[quote="curt"]In reply to: In reply to: Oh, and..............Chess is NOT a sport. Curt :shock: To achieve or participate at the elite level of a sport, extreme strength and physical conditioning is required. :shock: Climbing fits this definition, so do gymnastics, basketball, baseball and most other things commonly called sports. However, it is theoretically possible to be a great chess player and weigh 300 pounds and/or be 80 yeras old--same thing with darts, which you can play with a pint in one hand. Curt
Good points Curt, In the UK darts is considered a sport!! I wouldn't say that extreme strength and physical conditioning is required. Unless of course you are talking about the players livers!!
There is one UK darts champion who's warm up before a competition involves drinking 25 beers and 3 shots of brandy, nice :)
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 4:07 PM
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In reply to: curt, by definition, games are sport. The definition of: sport 1. to play or frolic 2. to divert or amuse. 3 ANY activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation, pastime, diversion. 4. fun; play 5. a thing joked about 6. a gambler 7. a person who has a sportsmanlike or sproting characteristics.
Well, then you're really saying that games and sport are synonyms, because the definition of game is:
1) A pastime
2) A competitive activity or sport
3) An organized athletic program or contest
To me they are different.
Curt
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drkodos
Mar 12, 2004, 4:11 PM
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They are synonymous. Correct.
I agree though, that the words have taken on bastardized and differnet meanings, but it is important to not have "personal" definitions of words.
If we cannot come to agreement to what single words mean, that it is impossible to understand more complex thoughts when words are strung together in sentences.
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drkodos
Mar 12, 2004, 4:14 PM
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In english, the word "sport" needs to be modified by other words to form tighter definitions.
Thus, phrases such as "competitive sport" or "non-competitive sports", or "two-person, head to head sport" need to be employed to distinguish finer gradations between what people refer to as "games" vs "sports".
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 4:17 PM
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In reply to: They are synonymous. Correct. I agree though, that the words have taken on bastardized and differnet meanings, but it is important to not have "personal" definitions of words. If we cannot come to agreement to what single words mean, that it is impossible to understand more complex thoughts when words are strung together in sentences.
So, if they are synonomous, and I choose to call some of the mentioned activities by one word--and some by the other word, how am I wrong?
Curt
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escale
Mar 12, 2004, 4:24 PM
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Climbing is definitely a sport. Any type of physical activity that raised your BP must be called a sport of some kind. We all approach our “sports” differently. Some people will be recreational sport types. They will do their cycling through the park and are satisfied with it. Other will try to achieve specific “time” or endurance goals. Others train and go the to Olympics. You will see in all physical sports that we set a number, whether it is against time, difficulty, endurance, pure power. And our competitors will always be against ourselves, i.e. who we were yesterday. Sure it is fun to score better than the other team or our other competitor but aren’t we doing it to better ourselves in the long run.
I suppose you could draw the line between recreational enthusiasts, locally competitive amateurs and professional players. A professional player will be paid or compensated in some way for their physical talents, and up until recently the Olympics were amateur sportsmen. Now that we have sent in our “dream team” to play basketball, we can now see the difference between amateur and professional players. I have nothing against the college players, because they would kick my a$$ as well.
I am constantly trying to improve my “game” in anything I do and that will be my lifelong approach to life. I compare climbing to gymnastics, we need to move very powerfully yet gracefully over the rock to overcome obstacles that keep us from the top. Balance and power and mental focus and the ability to manage pain and fatigue will win over a very long haul.
So, I guess all climbers could be classed recreational, competitive or professional, but we all are playing this climbing sport at different levels.
The only people I feel sorry for are all those couch potatoes who spend weekend yelling at their TV saying they could do better than Mr. XYZ who just tanked the football into the out of bounds or fumbled at a critical point. But then again at least they are getting some exercise when they throw the bag of potato chips at the screen and start ranting, waving, shouting and speed dialing their friends to see if they saw that play.
---Escale
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drkodos
Mar 12, 2004, 4:33 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: They are synonymous. Correct. I agree though, that the words have taken on bastardized and differnet meanings, but it is important to not have "personal" definitions of words. If we cannot come to agreement to what single words mean, that it is impossible to understand more complex thoughts when words are strung together in sentences. So, if they are synonomous, and I choose to call some of the mentioned activities by one word--and some by the other word, how am I wrong? Curt
Good question. Here is the answer: They are synonomous, not the same word. They are not 100 percent interchangable.
Not all sports are games. Not all games are sport. Some games are not played for recreation, such as "mind games", or "Patriot Games".
English language has the greatest capacity of any world language to have narrowly construed and exacting definitions by using modifiying words in conjuctions with others. Most people have very poor language skills in this regard and oversimplify, or completely mis-use words. That does not make it correct.
This is itself an oversimplified and lousy post because I am running out the door to go climbing.
ciao!
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diesel___smoke
Mar 12, 2004, 4:52 PM
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IMO, for something qualify, or to differentiate something as a 'sport', I feel consequences must be present for someone's lapse of judgment or skill, and there must also be a code of ethics to abide by, both within the sport and the person. This is why I don't qualify 'sport climbing' and indoor climbing as sports, but mere hobbies or games.
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robmcc
Mar 12, 2004, 4:52 PM
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In reply to: They are synonymous. Correct.
Bzzzt. Monopoly is _not_ a sport. :)
In reply to: I agree though, that the words have taken on bastardized and differnet meanings, but it is important to not have "personal" definitions of words.
Oh, I disagree completely. As my linguistics prof was fond of saying, the dictionary is descriptive. It doesn't tell you how words MUST be used, it tells you how they ARE used, and that changes. If you start calling rock climbing "fnorbing" and it catches on, it'll eventually find its way into the pages of Websters.
That said, games and sports _are_ different things. IMHO, games necessarily involve scoring, ranking, or some notion of a winner or loser. I think the word "sport" has just been bastardized by people who'd rather say they "play sports" than "play games". You might be a great big hulking football player, but it's still just a game.
And don't get me started on hockey.
Rob
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abalch
Mar 12, 2004, 4:57 PM
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It's an addiction that will take over your life :twisted:
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crazygirl
Mar 12, 2004, 4:57 PM
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but Robmcc,
tell us what you think about hockey
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dirtineye
Mar 12, 2004, 5:11 PM
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OK Curt, I'm not saying you are wrong, or even questioning your definition of sport.
But, I will point out that the way some people climb, it is not a sport but a deadly game of chance. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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curt
Mar 12, 2004, 5:24 PM
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In reply to: OK Curt, I'm not saying you are wrong, or even questioning your definition of sport. But, I will point out that the way some people climb, it is not a sport but a deadly game of chance. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hey, by the way, I am not saying that I am right either. This is merely a distinction that I apply to differentiate what I consider a sport from something I feel is just a game. To me games can be either physical or mental or both, but a sport must have an athletic component. So maybe I would consider all sports to be games--but not all games to be sports?
Curt
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sarcat
Mar 12, 2004, 5:42 PM
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Webster's definition:
Main Entry: 1sport
Pronunciation: 'spOrt, 'sport
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten
intransitive senses
1 a : to amuse oneself : FROLIC b : to engage in a sport
2 a : to mock or ridicule something b : to speak or act in jest : TRIFLE
3 [2sport] : to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : MUTATE
transitive senses
1 : to display or wear usually ostentatiously : BOAST
2 [2sport] : to put forth as a sport or bud variation
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dirtineye
Mar 12, 2004, 5:48 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: OK Curt, I'm not saying you are wrong, or even questioning your definition of sport. But, I will point out that the way some people climb, it is not a sport but a deadly game of chance. :lol: :lol: :lol: Hey, by the way, I am not saying that I am right either. This is merely a distinction that I apply to differentiate what I consider a sport from something I feel is just a game. To me games can be either physical or mental or both, but a sport must have an athletic component. So maybe I would consider all sports to be games--but not all games to be sports? Curt
EEK, LOGIC!!!!
Well, if in your games of chess you often get mad and physically beat the crap out of your opponent, is chess a sport then?
But more seriously, isn't the skill of throwing a dart going to quailfy as athletic? It's a lot like throwing a baseball, although i have heard the argument that pitchers are not athelets or even ball players LOL.
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litleclimberchick
Mar 12, 2004, 6:19 PM
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In reply to: To me games can be either physical or mental or both, but a sport must have an athletic component. So maybe I would consider all sports to be games--but not all games to be sports?
i completely agree, i have always thought of sports as having an athletic component.
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litleclimberchick
Mar 12, 2004, 6:26 PM
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so, yes...i believe that climbing is a sport...even if we climb merely for the sake of climbing we are still in competition with ourselves and there is a physical aspect to it.
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ford
Mar 12, 2004, 7:06 PM
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the surly old man in me says... Screw trying to define it, let's just climb. Also, for the record, it's religion. Anyone who has been baptized with a lead fall knows what I'm talkin' about. :shock:
The half-wit beatnik pseudo intellectual in me says... It is what it is, and could never be more than that, or less. :?
---Rev. Ford---
p.s. What 'sport' definition includes full contact croquet?
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angry
Mar 12, 2004, 7:09 PM
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Just mulling over some definitions. I like a lot of the answers. To me athletic endeavors are not sport without the competetive aspect. The bicycle example gets used a lot. To me it is a sport, I do 40+ races every year and spend the rest of the year training. If I didn't race, it'd be a hobby. There are shades of gray, it is also my hobby and I do it for enjoyment, but competition makes it different for me.
The truth is that it really doesn't matter as long as we enjoy it.
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alwaysforward
Mar 12, 2004, 7:33 PM
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Connotation is important though.
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boulderqt
Mar 12, 2004, 7:36 PM
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a sport doesn't have to be a competition would you considering running a sport even if you didn't compete? climbing is a sport in my opinion :evil: but think whatever you want. :roll:
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pyrodude
Mar 12, 2004, 7:37 PM
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Climbing as a sport. If you say it must be something that requires practice- climbing, something that requires skill- climbing, something that requires guts- climbing. The one thing that might change it from a sport to a nother thing is danger. IT makes it become a way of life. Gyms make it a sport, all others are determined later.
And Curt is right- chess is NOT a sport!
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hugepedro
Mar 12, 2004, 7:41 PM
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Well, if figure skating is a sport . . .
No, I tend to agree with this:
In reply to: To me athletic endeavors are not sport without the competetive aspect.
I would add that the competition needs to be structured in some fashion. Rules and measures.
Were Hillary and Norgay participating in a sport when they climbed Everest? I don't think so. Even though they were "competing" to be the first.
Climbing to me is not at all about competition, so I don't see it as a sport. Although, I recognize that others do.
Having started my climbing career as a mountaineer on Cascade glaciers, in places where teamwork is of the utmost importance; where things could go seriously wrong if competitive forces were allowed to play a prominent role; for me, climbing and competition are not compatible.
Turn it into some contrived competition on plastic and you might call it a sport, but I'd say it's not a very good one. I'd rather watch figure skating.
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dynoguy
Mar 12, 2004, 7:53 PM
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In reply to: Dude, people call chess a sport. It's competitive, but not athletic. People call running a sport, even if they don't compete. Climbing is climbing. Beyond that, it's no more or no less than you want it to be.
I have also heard golf refered to as a sport, what a joke.
I believe it all depends on your attitude towards climbing. Some treat it as a sport others don't. I treat as a something I have to do, like eating and sleeping. What can I say I'm an addict.
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climbersoze
Mar 12, 2004, 8:17 PM
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In reply to: Sport is defined as ANYTHING done for recreative purposes. Climbing is a sport. It is not sporting.
you beat me to it.. but I have been slow to post up lately anyway....
Football is a sport, and I used to be a football player... but now I jsut play football.
Same thing goes for climbing... you can rock climb, but not be a climber... it really leans towards the influence that the "sport" has on your life.
I consider myself a climber... hence my lifestyle reflects that.
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sub-zero
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Mar 12, 2004, 8:40 PM
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Climbing is a sport only it is against more than one person you and them. It drives you to compete against yourself and everyone else out there. The dictionary states: An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively. So I believe it is a sport and a great one at that!
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deleted
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Mar 12, 2004, 9:03 PM
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climbing isn't a sport unless you sport climb...and who can can themselves a climber if they just sport climb...haha, that's funny.
there are many things in life that you could say fall under the category of sport...sex was one of them that came up already
i have sweet, loving and caring sex with girls in relationships that i'm in. but sometimes, just as i feel the need to clip bolts like everyone else, i just want to go sport-fuking.
sport-fuking is easy, just like sport climbing. i go to the bar with a group of likeminded guy friends, and see how many girls we can, well you get the idea. some girls are 5.9 clip-ups, some are slabby with an ugly face, and some of them are beautiful if moderate. i'll warm up with an easy one, and then move onto my proj.
my record is two, but i'm not a very good sport-o
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fontyyy
Mar 12, 2004, 9:47 PM
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In reply to: If climbing were a sport or a game, its purity would be lost ................. Most sports have a competetive pinnicle, the best are the top competitors .............our sport (no pun intended) is intrinsic, self satisfying, and non-comparative ........... That sets climbing apart.......
If there is a basketballer who can run rings around Jordan, or a golfer who can whip Tiger and yet they choose not to compete you wouldn't know about them.
Another "sport" I have been very into for most of my life is freestyle BMX, and I can categorically state as a fact that at least 2 riders in the UK alone who choose not to compete are at least as good as anyone who enters the X-Games or the Gravity Games, so I presume there are several more in the world.
Or maybe with climbing the competition IS the rock (so, in fact we all compete), with (say) golf the competition is the course, with football or cricket or whatever the competition is the other team.
This is just the age old "define sport" thing again..........
So I'll have a go;
"sport" is five letters placed one after another and it all gets a bit blurred after that.
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chodeman
Mar 12, 2004, 10:04 PM
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People consider Cheerleading a sport. i dont think it is but thats my opinion and i do consider climbing a sport it takes strength and mental focuse to get to the top
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robmcc
Mar 12, 2004, 10:33 PM
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I'm buying that shirt this weekend if they're open. :)
Rob
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the_antoon
Mar 12, 2004, 10:53 PM
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Ernest Hemingway: "There are only three sports; Bull Fighting, Motor Racing, and Mountain Climbing. All the rest are just games."
Climbing is NOT a game...but is more of a sport than any other "sport" I have ever played.
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summerprophet
Mar 12, 2004, 10:59 PM
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I believe Earnest Hemingway said it best;
"Motor Racing, Mountain Climbing and Bull Fighting are the only true sports. All the rest are children's games played by adults."
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granut
Mar 12, 2004, 11:11 PM
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I go with the literal meaning.... sport has to have competition.
If you compete at climbing then it's a sport. If you don't then it's an activity that you do.
I personally see it as more of a lifestyle than anything else.
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cutiger
Mar 12, 2004, 11:22 PM
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Summer and Antoon, I think I beat you to it on the second page. Sorry. :)
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frantik
Mar 12, 2004, 11:27 PM
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In reply to: Oh, and..............Chess is NOT a sport. Curt
By word definition sport is an active pastime or diversion, esp. a game.
this is the N definition right out of my dictionary.
I guess chess and climbing qualify.
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dirtineye
Mar 12, 2004, 11:49 PM
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I agree with the guy who said it was religion.
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bouldering-bumm
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Mar 12, 2004, 11:53 PM
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Climbing is in my opinion a sport, because if it werent, why would so many people be obsessed about it?
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dangermonkey
Mar 13, 2004, 7:21 AM
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Climbing is my life.
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emjay
Mar 14, 2004, 12:37 AM
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In reply to: "There are only 3 real sports: bull-fighting, car racing and mountain climbing. All the others are mere games." — Hemingway.
I agree, although I think even Hemingway would have to acknowledge the sportworthiness of street luge.
In fact, I think the main criterion for "sport" is that you can get hurt doing it. Therefore, climbing, like football, hockey, boxing, and their ilk, is a sport. Golf is not.
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bertman
Mar 14, 2004, 3:00 AM
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In reply to: I hear climbing referred to as a sport and as a game, I think neither is true... ...It seems that the pinnicle of our sport...
did you just say it wasnt a sport, and then refer to it as a sport in the same paragraph?
8)
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daytonagtp
Mar 14, 2004, 3:37 AM
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climbing is a lifestyle and a sport combined
it is a lifestyle because we all live climbing and it is a sport because we kind of like to keep score on each other to see who is living the best
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jefferson
Mar 14, 2004, 3:48 AM
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I think that climbing exists both as a "sport", and as a hobby or pastime (or lifestyle). One can ride a bike to get from a to b, or for liesure, or they can compete in the Tour de France...so I think it comes down to perception. I like both aspects of it!
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reprieve
Mar 14, 2004, 4:40 AM
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Sport (n.) - An active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition.
Yep, I'd say so.
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dbtex
Mar 14, 2004, 4:45 AM
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I think it is a sport! Even though I don't compete against others (not really, well kinda' sometimes)... I do compete against myself. I keep score, set goals, train, and have gotten hurt climbing. Friends and family have cheered me on. Looks and feels like a sport to me. But besides being a sport, for me, it is also the following on any given day- a pastime, passion, challenge, hobby, obsession, escape, puzzle, analytical problem, rush, etc. How about a jewel with many facets.
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mrfantastic
Mar 14, 2004, 5:39 AM
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I just gave a speech on how climbing was more than a sport or a past time, but a culture. :D
Great subject to discuss
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mungeclimber
Mar 14, 2004, 6:27 AM
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In reply to: Maybe this has already been done, if it has...apologies. I am not speaking about climbing comps. I am talking about hanging out at the crags and climbing. While it is certain that climbing requires athletisicm, mental focus, and training, there is no blatent competition. While there is spray and number chasing it isn't that important. If I were to go play a game of bastketball, even just for fun and among friends, we would keep score. The "gaming" aspect of climbing is lacking, I believe this to be a good thing. It is what keeps me sane and keeps me motivated to climb. If climbing were a sport or a game, its purity would be lost, and thus much of its appeal. I hear climbing referred to as a sport and as a game, I think neither is true. Most sports have a competetive pinnicle, the best are the top competitors. I race a bike and long to have the legs of top European pros, to be able to win. Most climbers (that I know), couldn't care less about comps, they'd love to be able to crank hard but it's not about winning. It seems that the pinnicle of our sport (no pun intended) is intrinsic, self satisfying, and non-comparative. That sets climbing apart. These are just some of my thoughts, and unlike most of my posts, there is a slight chance I am wrong. I'd like to hear others opinions on this.
it's never been a sport since i started climbing, and I'd krush the rc.com'r that thinks it is a sport.*
*do keep in mind I can't climb very hard, and typically those that can't, spew, those that can, do. And gyms wouldn't get far without 'events' to attract a community.
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rockscaler2
Mar 14, 2004, 6:46 AM
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The definition of sport is a recreational activity that usually involves more then one person but not always. So i would consider it a sport lol as for free soloing i guess that just a hobbie LMAO damn free soloers.....lol
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andyw
Mar 14, 2004, 12:46 PM
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dude its not about score or team work or who wins, its about reaching a goal, american football has a different goal to say table tennis, therefore we can say that it is a sport, its just different. Scuba diving is a sport it doesnt have any compatitions, wot about freestyle bikeing, they have compatitions but otherwise its for fun.
And besides have you see some pro climbers they are supper strong and supper fit, like no fat on them.
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escale
Mar 14, 2004, 4:07 PM
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Before spring gets here and everyone is on the rocks or somewhere else, I would like to pose a simple "language use" type of question.
To those who say climbing is not a sport, I would like to ask of them, what is a “sport” to you? Is there something that is a true "sport"?
If nothing is a sport, then how do you define ‘”sport”?
How do you use the word “sport” in a sentence that conveys a positive thought? Do you have a synonym (similar) for "sport" or is it a unique word? Does it have an antonym (opposite) in your usage?
---Escale
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chupa
Mar 14, 2004, 5:31 PM
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Can you can go sport climbing, sporting your new threads, sporting an attitude in your new sports car? Will you be a poor sport if you fall off your project. Maybe you should reconsider climbing, shouldn't you sport?
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binton
Mar 14, 2004, 7:20 PM
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Well, it ain't a game.
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maculated
Mar 14, 2004, 7:59 PM
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In reply to: Before spring gets here and everyone is on the rocks or somewhere else, I would like to pose a simple "language use" type of question. To those who say climbing is not a sport, I would like to ask of them, what is a “sport” to you? Is there something that is a true "sport"? If nothing is a sport, then how do you define ‘”sport”? How do you use the word “sport” in a sentence that conveys a positive thought? Do you have a synonym (similar) for "sport" or is it a unique word? Does it have an antonym (opposite) in your usage? ---Escale
Definitions of Sport:
Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
An active pastime; recreation.
Sports have rules. They are competitive. Yet, they are fun.
So . . . if you're into that aspect of climbing, then yes, for you climbing is a sport.
I had a girl ask me what it was about climbing I liked:
"Is it the excercise? Is it the goal of getting to the top?"
I laughed outloud. "Nope," says I. But for some it is. I have my own reasons for doing it, but there are no 'sportish' reasons.
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