Recreation in paradise

By Dr. Richard Bunch

RECREATION IN A TROPICAL paradise? You must be kidding. What more could one ask than to sit beneath the palm trees, gently swaying in the soft trade winds while the deep blue waters of the lagoon rush onto the black sand beach. Such a picture of tranquility makes the thought of recreation seem unnecessary at best, except for those who are fortunate enough to call this their recreation. This is a picture of the overglamorized past, however, for Tahiti is alive and bustling with activity. Recreation is where you find it and recreation a plenty is to be found in Tahiti. Granted, sports and games have generally dominated the program but many groups and associations are working toward a well-rounded spectrum of recreation activity including the opportunity to contemplate as pictured above.

Salle de Sports ... a semi-enclosed gymnasium of the tropics a facility Dr. Bunch has available for recreation programming.

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, lying some 2500 miles south east of Hawaii, 4200 miles southwest of California, and 3300 miles north and east of Australia. It boasts a population of some 80,000 persons and is rapidly becoming a sophisticated modern country somewhat reminiscent of Hawaii 25 years ago. The temperature annually ranges between 65 and 85 degrees owing to its watery surroundings. The economic affairs are based largely on the support of the French Government. It is significant, however, that the largest industry in Tahiti has its roots in recreation—tourism. Thousands of tourists visit the island each year to bask in the warm sun and drink in the breathtaking beauty of the island. Efforts are being made to reap the greatest possible returns from tourism as a means of supporting the rapidly increasing population. This effort has its inherent dangers, however, as Tahiti may soon follow the example of Waikiki and Miami Beach with high rise indifference to the affairs of human beings. Public indifference to resources looms high as an obstacle to preventing the destruction of natural beauty.

One bright spot in Tahiti's development is in its youth movement. An example is the Federation of Youth Movements for French Polynesia. This is an organization having a membership representing all religious organizations, the scouts of France, and the school of music. In addition to being the responsible organization through which the government provides financial

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Dr. Richard Bunch is Assistant Professor, Dept. of Recreation and Park Administration, Western Illinois University. He is on a two year leave spending his time in Tahiti working with youth, community centers, recreation programs and related educational activities.

Setting up camp is a family affair with one of the recreation programs Dr. Bunch is working with in Tahiti.

assistance to the country's youth, the federation maintains a large property at one end of the island for use by member groups in their educational and recreational programs and actively seeks to promote wholesome activity programs. An outstanding current example is a project which should have far-reaching implications for Tahiti's natural resources. The project is a pollution and litter control campaign with a twofold purpose: 1) educating the populace to the advantages of employing good stewardship measures now and 2) cleaning up those areas already blighted by civilization. The thrust is in graphic presentations to be made through a week-long television series and individual programs for any organization interested in the project. On the final day there will be a massive clean-up effort in which approximately 500 youth will participate. Hopefully the project will give impetus to the formation of a commission for continuing education and possible legislation for pollution and litter control.

While the Tahitian people tend to be docile and easy-going, competition is a fact of life for them. Whether it be for employment, where the stakes are high, or on the athletic field the Tahitian is a ready and willing sparring partner as they love games. At times the competition becomes fierce perhaps harking back to warlike ancestors of the same stock as the Maoris of New Zealand. The noteworthy fact, however, is that the dedication and sustained effort which produces champions is lacking in most of the people. Although the Tahitian teams fared well in the 1971 South Pacific Games held in Tahiti, one should recognize that this competition was between countries of similar cultural background. Athletic activities which are, by far, the most popular are soccer, basketball, volleyball and boxing. Other sports such as cycling and track and field are popular in some areas. French and tourist influence is evident among people with means as sailing, flying, motorboating, golf, and tennis are available. Tahiti has one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

When left to their own resources the three most popular leisure activities for the natives are singing, swimming, and a form of bocce. When traveling the streets and roads of Tahiti on any given night one is likely to hear the strains of familiar native songs mingled with the popular music from other countries which is easily assimilated into the Tahitian repertoire. Accompaniment is provided by the ever-present guitar and home-made ukeleles. The Tahitians' love for the water assumes the proportions of a basic reverence for the lagoon as it has supported them for centuries. Not only are fish in abundance for food and financial sustenance but the water provides a cooling diversion to combat the intense rays of the tropical sun. Spearfishing and canoeing in the outrigger canoe are part of the fun. On Saturdays and Sundays the air is filled with the shouts and laughter of men playing bocce. They are very serious about the game and in many cases a great deal of money changes hands on a, given afternoon.

On special occasions the culture of the past comes to the fore in the form of dancing, canoe racing and an ancient game in which spears are thrown at a suspended coconut.

A crucial area for development among the islanders is that of indigenous leadership which possesses a sound philosophy of personal development as well as the ability to initiate new activities and sustain those which have begun. It is this area in which the author's prime concerns lie. Through leadership camps and workshops a nucleus of leadership has been established with exciting potential for further

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development. Through the youth federation it is expected that this same potential will be evidenced in each of the member groups through the annual leadership workshops now underway.

Another major thrust has been in the area of camping. As an example the author's employer, Mission Sanito, sponsored by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, maintains a camping program of six camps, including a day and social welfare camp for children and resident camps for Junior high youth, senior high youth, and families. In addition the mission school this year began a program of school camping, a first in the islands, to enrich that program. Since there are no established campgrounds in Tahiti everything is on a primitive basis, adding to the excitement and challenge, and the rewards. This offers one advantage in that camping occurs in the pure sense, unpolluted by the influence of playgrounds and other similar planned programs.

Very soon the camping program is to be expanded to the Tuamotuan Islands; coral atolls lying 150-300 miles to the north and east of Tahiti. These are islands barely 15-20 feet out of the ocean and in some cases barely 200 yards in width. These, along with the Austral Islands to the south, tend to be undeveloped areas with a marked need for some of the cultural influences of the larger world of Tahiti. The situation is becoming a problem considering the fact that many people with leadership ability are moving into Tahiti.

The big project currently underway is the development of a large multi-purpose community center. Through a matching grant from the government. Mission Sanito intends to develop a center for cultural arts, athletics, and social interaction. Already the sports area is completed and operative and plans are being developed for the remainder of the project. A school for native arts and cultural activities will be a part of the operation in addition to family-centered and youth activities not unlike those found in community centers in the states.

Perhaps no word characterizes the Tahitian culture better than change with its incessant demands for progress. Tahiti is a country on the move but at its own pace. For many, progress symbolizes wealth and security, for others poverty and despair. Education and employment problems gnaw at the vital quarters of the country and sustains the indifference of many. Yet through it all the happy go lucky Tahitian people remain virtually unchanged and it becomes evident that in Tahiti, as in the U. S. or any country, people are still our most important resource.

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