The survey was conducted about lifestyle interests among a select group of Baby Boomers and senior citizens shows that active recreation, especially adventurous pursuits, such as hiking and river rafting, was emerging as a top interest for these older Americans. It challenges conventional thinking about “senior” recreation, according to Del Webb, who is the nation’s largest builder of active adult communities for people over age 54.

Although interest in many passive recreation activities still exists, demand for more active forms of lifestyle programming has emerged as a top priority among current residents and prospective homebuyers.

Adventure programming, such as hiking, climbing and river rafting, are appealing to a much larger percentage of our residents than we have seen in past years.

Adventure activities emerging

Swimming, golf, and bowling topped sports, athletic, and outdoor pursuits, but surprisingly, adventure activities like kayaking, hiking, and even hang gliding are quickly working their way up the scale. Hang gliding/parasailing/parachuting was ranked as extremely important(1) as a lifestyle offering by 6% of the respondents — nearly equal to the 6.1% of respondents who ranked competitive running the same.

Team sports like softball and tennis also ranked high. Nearly 20% of respondents ranked softball extremely important(1) and nearly 25% of respondents ranked tennis the same.

Did you know that the world record for senior rollerblading was set at Sun City Huntley in Huntley, Illinois. Del Webb communities continue to see activities emerge that reflect this newer interest in adventure and other forms of active versus passive recreation pursuits.

Top sports, athletic and outdoor adventure pursuits:

Activity Percent ranked “extremely important”(1)
Swimming………………55.2%
Golf……………………..49.2%
Bowling…………………34.4%
Fishing………………….30.1%
Canoeing/Kayaking……26.2%

Increasing in popularity:

Hiking/climbing/rappelling……………….18.0%
River rafting……………………………….17.8%
Downhill skiing…………………………… 9.1%
Rollerblading……………………………… 7.3%
Competitive running……………………… 6.1%
Hang gliding/parasailing/parachuting….. 6.0%

Total respondents = 3,584

Surveyed on a variety of topics, respondents to the lifestyle interest survey confirmed current programming in Del Webb communities and affirmed directions headed toward an even more active lifestyle.

Components of adventure programming have been implemented in several communities since late 2005 and expects to expand the program as new communities open.

Based on what I experienced about Del Webb residents and what I’ve have learned from over the past 7 years as a leader in the active adult homebuilding industry, connecting program offering with how the resident lifestyle is enriched will continue to remain a critical priority at Del Webb communities.

Programming that encompasses multiple dimensions of health and wellness and responds to new trends and interests that emerge is a focus for today, especially as the Baby Boomer generation continues to move in to active adult communities and helps to mold the current and future programming options.