Qualitative Inquiry on the Formation of Serious Leisure Experience for Water Sports Mania

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the formation of serious leisure experience for water sports mania using grounded theory method approach. Research participants were selected 6 water sports mania by reputational sampling method. Six participants who usually participated in water sports club were selected as research participants. The data for this study included participants' observation and in-depth interview. This study categorized the coding paradigm which was presented by using the findings derived from data as they were into casual condition, contextual element, central phenomenon, critical situation, mediative element, interaction, final result and core category to draw out the process of becoming a water sports mania and its significances. The results of were as follows. First, water sports mania recognized the environmentally safe pleasure and value. Second, water sports mania was in a race against myself. Third, water sports mania felt the social and environmental changes. Fourth, water sports mania was looking for alternative method. Fifth, water sports mania overcome physical limitations and liberation from fear of water. Lastly, water sports mania felt alive through the enthusiastic participation.