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Welcome
to
the
American
Volkssport
Association
(AVA)
Founded
in
1976,
the
AVA
is
an
educational
non-profit
501(c)(3)
corporation,
dedicated
to
promoting
non-competitive
physical
fitness,
friendship
and
fun
through
volkssporting
events.
AVA
is
endorsed
by
the
US
Surgeon
General,
the
President’s
Council
on
Physical
Fitness
and
Sport,
and
the
United
Nations
World
Health
Organization
(WHO).
What is Volkssporting?
Volkssporting simply defined, is a personal fitness sports and recreation program offering noncompetitive walks, hikes, bike rides and swims, and in some regions cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and roller or ice skating. You may choose your time to start within the start/finish "window" and participate in the sport at your own pace.
Volkssporting in the United States is sponsored by the American Volkssport Association
(AVA), with over 320 active clubs presenting several thousand events each year.
Promoting well being and good health by providing safe exercise in a stress-free environment is the hallmark of volkssporting. Walking -- also called "volkswalking" -- is the most popular of all the volkssporting activities. Walks are generally 10 km (6.2 miles) in length and the routes are marked or guided by a leader. Local clubs generally offer a 5 km option for participants who wish to complete a shorter distance. All events are noncompetitive. The volkssporter
chooses the sport, the distance and the pace.
Volkssporting events take place throughout the year, all around the country. Historic and scenic sites are selected for their enjoyment. Trails are carefully laid out and marked, or easy to follow directions or maps are provided. Ratings of 1 to 5 (the most difficult) are given to trails based upon the challenge the trail presents. The designated Start Point is open for several hours to allow you to begin your volkssporting adventure at your leisure. Trails have checkpoints along the route and are monitored for security and safety.
I n the volkssporting tradition, you frequently find volkssporters gathered at the Finish Point where they take time to enjoy friends, and at some events, entertainment or food and drink.
Open to everyone, local club or national membership is optional. Most participants take part in the low-cost Achievement Awards Program or receive the special award for an event. That adds to the fun of accomplishment.
Over 50,000 Volkssporters.....
50,000
Americans
participate
in
AVA’s
achievement
program
by
purchasing
record
books
to
record
their
progress.
The
AVA
boasts
active
members
in
every
state
of
the
U.S.
Many
people
adopt
volkssporting
as
part
of
their
lifestyle,
and
have
completed
hundreds
of
events
and
thousands
of
kilometers.
While
most
begin
walking
for
fitness
(that
inevitable
medical
‘wake-up
call’),
most
continue
because
of
friendships
and
social
benefits.
The Volkssporter Profile
The
average
Volkssporter
is
a
‘baby
boomer’,
in
his
or
her
mid-fifties,
and
usually
an
‘empty-nester’
either
approaching
or
beginning
retirement.
But
it
is
common
to
find
two
or
three
generations
at
AVA
events.
Adults
with
children
participate
as
a
family
while
young
adults
enjoy
more
extreme
hikes
and
longer
distances.
The ratio of female to male participants is about 60%-40%. Approximately 25,000
Volkssporters are members of local clubs, with thousands more regular participants who do not belong to a club.
Coast-To-Coast Events
Of
3,000+
events
per
year,
about
1,200
events
are
‘live’,
with
many
participants
coming
together
over
one,
two
or
three
days
of
a
weekend.
Approximately
1,800
events
are
self-guided.
Most
are
Year
Rounds,
some
are
listed
as
Seasonals
(less
than
eleven
months)
and
there
are
Holiday
closings.
It
is
always
best
to
check
with
the
POC
Point
of
Contact
for
up
to
date
information.
AVA’s
Starting
Point
is
an
annual
directory
of
event
start
locations
published
and
sold
by
AVA.
All
AVA
events
are
listed
at
AVA’s
website
at
www.ava.org.
AVA’s
largest
events
routinely
attract
thousands
of
people.
Biennially,
the
AVA
hosts
a
week-long
National
Convention,
attended
by
Volkssporters
from
all
over
the
world.
Come Join Us
Join
us
anytime
for
an
event.
There
is
no
obligation
to
join
and
events
are
often
free
or
participation
costs
a
very
small
amount.
If
you
wish
to
join
a
club,
you
may
find
one
near
you
by
clicking
on
Find Walking Events
Annual
membership
dues
are
usually
$5
to
$10
per
person.
We’d
love
to
have
you
join
us!!
Welcome
About
The
President
President's
TAW
MessageVolunteer
Opportunities
Contact
Me
AVA
Future
AVA
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News
©
Copyright
2004
-
2009
Last
Revision
4/16/2009
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