Managing river environments for the participation motives of stream floaters.

Over 500 inner-tube and raft floaters were surveyed on three streams to determine their motives for participation. Among 28 reasons for participating in the floating activities, reasons relating to social experience were rated most important. Factor analysis of the participation reasons further identified five motives, their rank of importance being: affiliation first, followed by experiencing nature, action/excitement, skill development and solitude. The results are discussed in terms of how resource managers might manage river environments. -Authors