National Sports and Favorite Pastimes

 

 The Faroe Island people have always had an active lifestyle. When there weren't any roads or cars around people had to rely heavily on walking up steep mountains and hilly cliff sides to get where they wanted to go. Today an active lifestyle is encouraged starting at a young age. Children of the Faroe Islands are brought on fishing and hiking trips around the islands. Schools have made physical education a part of the curriculum. Having an active lifestyle is a natural part of growing up in the Faroe Islands.

 

The Faroese people are proud of their football team. They are one of the smallest football nations in the world, but are still ahead of much larger nations. In 1990 the Faroe Islands beat Austria, one of the teams greatest achievements. In 1942 the first national football team was made and now there are many men and women teams all around the islands. Football is the most popular sport. The Faroese people love to not only watch it but play it as well. Football is a way people can stay active and socialize with friends.

 

The national sport in the islands is rowing. The races take place in the fjords of the Faroes. Rowing has direct connections to the cultural heritage of the Faroe Islands. The season of rowing is short with only seven races taking place from June to July. The last race is in the capital: Tórshavn, celebrating the national day. Some of the rowers have gone on the the Olympics like Katrin Olsen. Rowing can take a lot of endurance, so many Faroese people like to watch and cheer them on instead.