Warner Leisure promises ‘extreme’ activities for over-50s

Warner Leisure Hotels has developed a new summer series of ‘extreme’ activities – including zorbing, paddle boarding and abseiling – after one-third of over-50s polled for a recent survey called for ‘extreme’ sports to be more accessible to their age group. 

To meet the demands of this generation, Warner will introduce zorbing to its activity schedule at Cricket St. Thomas, Somerset this summer. It will be the first in a series of activities, including paddle boarding and abseiling, to be launched at a select number of hotels throughout the summer as part of Warner’s ‘Living Life on The Edge’ series.

The hobbies of this generation two decades ago traditionally involved knitting or a gentle game of bowls, but the research conducted by Warner and OnePoll reveals such hobbies are quickly fading with half of female pensioners choosing a fast-paced walk over a sit down with the knitting needles. Instead, seven in ten 50-60 year olds claim they want to see more fun, adrenaline-enticing activities being tailored and made more accessible to them. A third of over-50s men and a quarter of women state they are always up for trying something new and only get the opportunity to take part in these ‘extreme’ sports when holidaying abroad.

From July, guests at Warner Leisure Hotels will have the opportunity to book themselves onto breaks to zorb the hills of Somerset at no additional cost.

Louise Tansey, national sales manager, Bourne Leisure said: “The research commissioned by Warner offers agents a fantastic insight into the wants and needs of the over-50s market when it comes to their holiday choices. Things have moved on for this generation and traditionally the domestic market has been slow to keep up. This introduction form Warner offers agents the perfect selling opportunity, allowing them to easily cater for the fast paced, activity fuelled needs of those over-50s looking for an adrenaline filled break.”