Switzerland

In Switzerland the diversity of leisure, recreational and sports activities matches the equally varied 26 states (cantons) that shape this multilingual country. The presence of German, French, and Italian culture highly influences not only individual concepts of leisure but also leisure preference. Nonetheless, for all children and adults, recreational activities, games, and sports are considered essential to their physical and mental well-being.

For both adults and children, socializing with friends is their favorite pastime. Besides watching television, reading is the second activity the Swiss enjoy on a daily basis. Taking a stroll comes next, before cultural activities that include cinema, theatre, opera, and visiting exhibits. At home, manual handy work or gardening also appear on the list of preferred leisures. Their least favorite activities are attending an instructional class and playing a musical instrument. Of course, adults’ preferences change depending on the following determining factors: regionalism, social background, salary, education, and age.

The favorable topography and climate predispose the Swiss to enjoy a wide variety of sports. Children are first exposed to many different sports while in school. For example, gymnastics, dance, field hockey, badminton, judo, and fencing. Later, they become adults who continue to engage in at least two sports activities on a regular basis. Nevertheless, the concept of sport itself varies among the Swiss. Germanic Swiss tend to approach sports with rigorous and competitive attitudes—while the French Swiss view sport as a leisure-time occupation, following Pierre de Coubertin's “The important thing is not to win but to take part.”

The close proximity to the mountains (the Alps) has impacted the development of the following sports: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, mountaineering (on skis), gliding, paragliding, mountain biking, hiking, pathfinding, volleyball, floorball, and cycling. Moreover, many lakes and rivers allow the Swiss to practice additional sports such as swimming, canoeing, rowing, fishing, curling, and sailing (the Swiss have held the American's Cup in sailing). Furthermore, Eisstock (a variation of curling) is a winter game that is compared to pétanque on ice. Like their European neighbors, the Swiss are fans of soccer and actively support their national team. Moreover, they are similarly enthusiastic about ice hockey and support one of the 12 teams in the A league.

The Swiss also like to play various types of games. Some are based on competition, such as dog and horse racing, which involve betting. Others are part of traditional folklore such as Swiss Wrestling (Schwingen), Steinstossen, and Hornussen. Primarily played in rural areas and always incorporated into a festival, these three games all test the individual's endurance and strength. Swiss Wrestling has been popular since the 16th century. The game opposes gymnasts and herdsmen wrestlers, who, during the Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival, compete for the highly valued title of King of Swiss Wrestlers. Traditionally a male game, Swiss Wrestling is now also played by women, who created their own association in 1992. Additionally, players compete in the Steinstossen, a variant of a shot put where participants must throw a 184-pound stone (Unspunnen). Particularly prevalent in the Bernese Emmental and Middle land, Hornussen can be described as Alpine baseball, which was developed in the 17th century.

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