Recreational sports involve two aspects: on the one hand, it means the sport that individuals do in their free time; on the other, it describes those types of movements, games and sports that are qualitatively and ideally - quasi as "opposite" to traditionally refereed, performance and competitive sports.

In existing models of recreational sports a more or less large core of characteristics is recognizable. These are: fun, joy, communication, creativity, self-determination, self-organization, body experience, etc .. In this sense, the term recreational sports is a collective term for various sports models that describe, explain and develop playful and communicative, self-determined and creative movement activities. (Michels, H. "Animation in recreational sports" 1996)

Boat mastery and a sophisticated rowing technique are not only important, they are in any case the basic requirement for a carefree rowing experience. Courses not only teach rowing but also teach basic safety and boat equipment requirements.

The courses are available for people of all ages. There are many people who have learned to row a little later in life who then become quite enthusiastic about rowing. Of course, the focus is on the wonderful experience of rowing in nature and rowing boat together as a team in harmony. (after: Berlin rowing club)

If you like to spend your free time in the fresh air and do something for your health, rowing is just the right sport for you. Of course, the prerequisite is that you can swim.

Recreational rowing (void of competitive ambitions) is very popular amongst rowing clubs and school sports program alike.

In terms of body, mind and soul, rowing greatly contributes to health and is well recognized around the world.

Rowing is a sport that you can do all your life, because you can spontaneously adjust the physical stress according to your needs. Rowing is family friendly - three generations can sit in a boat and row together. The use of force is less important than the synchronization of the oars. Everyone has the opportunity of relying on the others to solve the challenges together. Rowing supports cooperative behavior (for example, in caring for the boats or bringing to boats to the water together).

(from the Bavarian sports curriculum)

When rowing, the students experience the natural environment of the practice water directly and deal with weather and waves. They should become aware that the experience of nature is an essential stimulus for rowing, and they should recognize the need to take into account the concerns of nature and water protection. In particular, breeding and resting birds should not be disturbed (observe escape distances!) And must be bypassed spawning, reed and reed zone. When bringing the boat to the water, it is advisable to use designated squares so as not to damage the banks.

By Christiane Moravetz (Frankfurter Allgemeine)

This article depicts the diversity of rowing:

A "day of rowing" attracts many to the River Main. (...) Equally shared by recreational sports lovers and competitive athletes alike.

Leisure has become a characteristic of the quality of life and, in particular, is considered a measure of personal freedom and participation in social life. Leisure not only includes pleasure, entertainment and disconnection from work, but also education, political and social commitment and health orientation. Thus today's concept of leisure is not very clear: Leisure is what the individual understands for herself, leisure can be anything. Work and leisure are no longer distinct spheres of life: work can become a leisure and leisure time work. The subjective appreciation of free time, the available time budgets and the investment of individuals in their free time have increased enormously in the last 50 years. Leisure time opportunities have been constantly expanded. The basis for these facts is that working hours, despite economic crises, have become shorter and incomes have risen steadily.

Leisure has become a time of experience and enjoyment; the search for ever new stimuli, challenges and the emergence of increasing demands are the result. Leisure is today the space in which people want to develop their lifestyles and routines for their everyday lives and to development themselves. Leisure is no longer the remainder of time left over after work, but an independent and central part of life. The consequence of this development is that in advanced societies a differentiated leisure time system has emerged.

The essential elements of a recreational system are the (1) right to leisure, (2) the broad inclusion of members of a society in the execution of the various parts of the leisure system (culture, sport, media, tourism), (3) entertainment of whatever kind, (4) the presence of a sufficiently large leisure market with public and private leisure providers, (5) the acceptance of the occupational field leisure as well as (6) the establishment of leisure science with the possibilities of the education: further training for this occupation and activity field and the emergence of appropriate leisure occupations.