BeActive Beach Games

Background Approximately half of Europeans never exercise or play sports and the proportion has increased gradually in recent years, which has led to overweight and obesity, that is responsible for 5% of a global death rate. It has been observed that 62% of all European tourists prefer to vacation at the beach and with their families, however, only 11% of Europeans do physical activity or play sports at the beach, which points out to a large decrease in physical fitness during the summer months. Objectives Increase the level of physical activity of different target groups from different backgrounds, in particular, focus on the involvement of families and all its generations by elaborating and testing a new and innovative form of sports for all – Beach Games, which used the environment of the beach where a wide range of sports and physical activities can be practised on the sand and in water and achieve a result, which can be replicated in other contexts, for example, “artificial” beaches. Implementation The project developed a model for the organisation of Beach Games and its testing in two phases of Beach Games in Latvia and Portugal, coupled with a Manual for the Organisation of Beach Games and a Physical Activity Guide on Beach Sports and Activities for families, a group of friends or colleagues, and a Policy Note on sport, health, social and ethical values underlying organisation of the Beach Games as a tool for contributing to the development of a healthier society, physically and morally. Achievements BeActive Beach Games were organised gathering 1100 participants in Riga, Latvia with 23 sports activities and 600 participants in Portimao, Portugal with 21 sports activities including different groups of society, people of different ages and different physical opportunities. The project developed organisational, methodological and educational materials which summarise the experience of the organised BeActive Beach Games as support materials for sports events organisers and other stakeholders.