THE SOCIAL WORLD OF SINKERS: A RECREATIONAL PURSUIT OF QUICKSAND.

Despite studies examining quicksand over the years, there remains a void of investigations into the meaning and value of quicksand in the lives of recreational enthusiasts, most notably the community of people dubbed "sinkers." Sinkers are quicksand enthusiasts that crave the sensation of being stuck in deep mud while being sucked downward. Researchers in this study used an interpretive design where naturalistic research methods allowed for meaningful information to be observed and described by studying the lives, stories, behaviors, and relationships of quicksand enthusiasts. In an effort to further this understanding, the researchers examined both conditional and behavioral social norms of an activity that is often viewed by the mainstream as unique and perhaps bizarre. Results from this study may help educate and inform park and other public resource managers about the social world of sinkers and what motivates sinkers to pursue quicksand as a recreational activity. This study has given us a qualitative tour into the social world of a unique group of outdoor enthusiasts that love quicksand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]