Swimming
in the sea, rivers or lakes was popular, but it was a fun activity more than
a sport. Bath houses were built at beaches for people to change into their swimsuits.
Surfing also became common in the early 1900s with long surfboards made from
wood.
Skating
and skiing have changed a lot since the 1900s. People wore snowshoes to
get back up the hill in the days before ski-lifts. Skiers used one long
staff (wooden pole) instead of today's short metal ski stocks to balance.
In
America, boxing and baseball were popular sports.
Biking
was all the rage around the turn of the century, due to a major change in bicycles.
Large front wheels and tiny back wheels were replaced by two equal size wheels.
This made biking safer, easier to learn, and better suited to the roads of the
time.
Golf
was played at the turn of the century, but really became popular in the early
1920s.
Tennis
around the year 1900 was a sedate, civilised game. Women wore long dresses,
and were not expected to run after the ball. It was good sportsmanship
to hit the ball to your opponent. It was played on grass, so was called
lawn tennis.
Another
favourite outdoor activity in the 1900s was fishing. People fished to provide
food for their families, as well as a way of having some fun.
Hunting
in the 1900s was also both a sport and a way to feed the family. Traps and guns
were used with greater freedom than today.
Tennis
around the year 1900 was a sedate, civilised game. Women wore long dresses,
and were not expected to run after the ball. It was good sportsmanship
to hit the ball to your opponent. It was played on grass, so was called
lawn tennis.
