adventure or extreme sports resort

[shubhangi]

for my thesis i am taking up the topic of “extreme sports resort, rishikesh, uttarakhand, india”, it will be of great help if i could get some information regarding the same, as in case studies, or any relevant data………….

[Les Ballard]

Do you have mountains or holes in the ground, holes in any flight paths over the site to allow for local flights and a stretch of water without predators, etc. for those sports?  What are local safety laws and medical facilities or will you have to introduce them?  How will you cover insurance costs and requirements?  Finally, what can you provide cheaply that is not extreme for folk to do between more adventurous activities?  If land is no problem, for example, you can easily install a world record size go-kart track inside a fast car and defensive as well as off road driving track and some distance away an equestrian centre (also with camels, llamas and elephants?) by a cart driving course and trotting track.  Further, would you have olympic standards – I’m particularly thinking of white water for kayaks and rowing – and how would you arrange in and around that a spread of accommodation from 5 star to campsites?  Activities can suggest themselves, e.g. sand yachting on a long straight beach, but the cost and usage of each may limit what could be offered even if you combine residents/time share, staying guests including weekenders and day trippers.  I hope this provides some food for thought.          

[shubhangi]

thnk you so much fr replyin…..sir

yes we have mountains..the site lies along the river ganges or ganga with grade 3 and grade 4 rapids…with rafting and kayaking already going on as adventure sport activity…water stretch without predators………well having a go cart track will be little tough because of the sloping terrain…….

[nca]

i wouldnt consider go carting an ‘extreme sport’ by any stretch. maybe think about rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, skateboarding, paragliding, base jumping, hiking, mountaineering, camping, backpacking, skiing, mountain biking, road biking, bungee jumping, surfing, etc, etc.

I live in Aspen, CO–a mountain resort town. design workshop, edsa, segroup do a lot of resort and ecotourism design.

[shubhangi]

thank you sir…

so could you help me designing a program or design brief for the same minus the skiing……what all is required for an adventure sports resort…..as in built structures, open spaces…….and is it okay if we call it a ‘base camp site for adventure sports’…..since all d spots for hiking, rafting..etc..will be at different places…..

i mean to ask is there any difference between… base camp site for extreme sports and an extreme sports resort………….??

[Tosh K]

yes there is a difference btw base camp and resort, you may want to articulate why you chose one over the other in your brief; i would spend some time narrowing down your “extreme sport,” and the necessary infrastructure related to it.  Lay out your parameters (making sure they are not vague or too wide in scope) well, otherwise you’ll waste a lot of time being sidetracked. 

What is the “why” in your thesis?  Thesis implies research and a position you’re taking to related to a topic and not simply a set of parameters to design within.

Depending on climate/sport there have been competitions around the topic.

[nca]

I like what Tosh writes PLUS I would say take a look at the *original* extreme sports villages like Chamonix, France.

Living in a mountain village I can tell you that the most exciting thing about the place is the sense of adventure in the air caused by groups packing backpacks for long hikes, or a couple unfolding maps while sipping espresso outside the cafe, skiers carrying their gear to the base of the mountain, etc, etc.

Moreso than trying to infuse the resort with ALL of the activities themselves, maybe you could think about creating space conducive to adventure and exploring the environment.

[shubhangi]

okay sir will surely jott down the requirements and show you the list…..

well i am designing it more from an landscape architects’ point of view, so sustainability is one point in addition to eco-tourism activities….also it is laong the river ganges..which is worshipped and used for adventure sports like rafting and kayaking at present……..(i hope m not answering out of way)……..

do you think such activities in long run will have effect on river ecology……..since ganges river is already facing certain degradation issues…..

[Les Ballard]

o agreed nick i was listing things to do in between more xtreme stuff (while sporting a plaster cast? lol) 

its nice there are slopes but u need some kind of a flat area – maybe you can chop off a mountain and hollow another out as labour isn’t a problem and, re the ganges, someone has to risk any suggested water flow problems associated with melting glaciers and ensure water quality as well as waste disposal.  That many people may need a totally life friendly recycling system with reed beds and clean incineration.

It sounds like the sort of area best marketed as an idea with the backing of one or two world class sportsmen able to talk the talk and walk the walk re altitude and white water activities it looks like you should concentrate on.

[shubhangi]

sir…i listed down few adventure sports….that includes adventure racing, bicycle motocross, bouldering, bungee jumping, diving, hand gliding, mountain biking, rock climbing, rope walking, skate boarding, street luge,sailing, rafting, kayaking…..
that are suitable as per my site…
yes, certainly, few flat open spaces will be required,for stay,camping, food and lodging,etc…

[Tosh K]

I don’t think rafting and kayaking will degrade the river too badly so long as the numbers aren’t too many.  Presumably there is a change in the flow by season and water activities change around that.

some questions to ponder: Does extreme sporting on the Ganges conflict with it cultural/religious significance?  Does the opportunity to show it in a different light provide awareness/changes in how extreme sports are done?  What are the spatial implications of that?

Interlaken Austria I believe is an extreme sports tourism hub, there might be some design ideas in there.  Zermatt (base camp village for the Matterhorn) restricts the approach to the town and takes in its geographic location to attract tourism (even for those that aren’t mountain climbers.  Olympic village designs may give you insight into providing spectator opportunities and related activities, also may provide some direction into spatial planning and temporary/event strategies as well.

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