ICOS+ International Congress of Outdoor Sports

29/07/2025

ICOS+ 2025: A successful international debut!

From June 25 to 27, the city of Rio Maior hosted the first edition of ICOS+ – International Congress on Outdoor Sports, a pioneering event that brought together over 100 participants from 16 countries, including academics, outdoor professionals, NGO members, and public representatives.

Held at the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior – Polytechnic University of Santarém, the event included:

8 Keynote speakers
43 oral presentations
22 research posters
8 workshops
3 projects and roundtables
3 physical activity sessions
1 cultural event: the European Outdoor Film Tour
30 formal partnerships
Partnership with Sport in Society journal for full paper submissions

A powerful event with lasting value and clear vision.

A message from our Chairman, Prof. Paulo Rosa:
“We are extremely proud of the results achieved. We managed to organize a high-level international event, with an outstanding lineup and very high satisfaction rates.
Our expectation is that ICOS+ will become the beginning of a new, long-lasting, and sustainable project — one that inspires researchers and professionals to build a more sustainable future through outdoor sports.
That is why we are announcing the intention to host the 2nd edition of ICOS+ in 2027, with the location and date to be confirmed.”

Thank you to all participants, speakers, partners, volunteers, and institutions who made this milestone possible.

Follow future updates at: www.icos-congress.com and check out the congress vídeo https://youtu.be/PmltazkW6Wo?si=bSycCM10r62Cv0xF

04/07/2025

We are very proud of the results achieved. We successfully organised a high-level international event, with an outstanding line-up and exceptionally high satisfaction levels.

Our hope is that ICOS+ will mark the beginning of a new, lasting, and sustainable project—one that inspires academics and professionals to build a more sustainable future through outdoor sports.

For this reason, we are pleased to announce our intention to hold the 2nd edition of ICOS+ in 2027, with the location and dates to be confirmed.

To celebrate the success of this first edition, we are pleased to share with you the official video summarising ICOS+ 2025.

30/04/2025

The ICOS+ International Congress of Outdoor Sports has a new registration deadline until May 5th.
The event will take place on June 25th, 26th and 27th, 2025, in the city of Rio Maior, at the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior – Santarem Polytechnic University (Portugal), the organizing entity of the congress.
New dates:
May 5: Final date to complete your registration for ICOS+
May 10: Final date to complete payment

ICOS+ is a unique opportunity for learning, sharing, and inspiration for all those who, in various professional fields, work or are planning to work with outdoor sports activities.
Please note that some activities and workshops are already fully booked, so we kindly recommend securing your place at your earliest convenience.

Other benefits of your registration:
• We understand that sometimes attending the full 3-day event may not be possible, so we offer the option of daily registration, allowing you to participate in the congress according to your availability and interest in each day's activities. You may register for the full event or choose daily registration based on your personal/professional interest in the topics of each day. Check the detailed program here: https://icoscongress.com/detailed-program/
• Access to 8 conferences across the 4 main congress themes, and full congress materials (backpack, water bottle, notebook, pen)
• Free participation in workshops (limited places available)
• Discussion and presentation of relevant international projects, adaptable to national contexts
• A roundtable dedicated to Eurofunding opportunities related to sports
• Exclusive seats at the 2024 edition of the European Outdoor Film Tour (link)
• Coffee breaks and lunches provided on all congress days
• Congress dinner included
• Opportunities to establish new partnerships

We believe this will be a unique opportunity to experience learning, cultural exchange, and networking in this important and vibrant sector.

Find all information at: www.icoscongress.com | Detailed program: https://icoscongress.com/detailed-program/ | Registration information: https://icoscongress.com/registration/

29/04/2025

🇵🇹Muito Obrigado !!!

O EOFT em Lisboa foi um verdadeiro sucesso! ✨Recebemos a presença especial da talentosa skatista austríaca Anna Pixner, e celebrámos a aventura com sorteios incríveis oferecidos pelos nossos parceiros:

Yupik Outdoor Store, Sardine Craft Beer, Green CulturED, Perfect Wave Surf Shop, e pelo patrocinador oficial da tour global, adidas TERREX 🏞️🎁

O nosso profundo agradecimento ao icónico Cinema São Jorge por acolher este festival tão inspirador, e à Kinema Producciones por trazer o European Outdoor Film Tour - EOFT para Portugal e nos convidar a fazer parte desta jornada que celebra a cultura de aventura e montanhismo.

Um obrigado especial a todos os que estiveram presentes e fizeram desta noite algo inesquecível 💚

📍 Em Junho, teremos mais uma sessão durante o + International Congress of Outdoor Sports em Município de Rio Maior Rio Maior Sports Centre — e todos estão convidados!

Fiquem atentos, há muito mais por vir. Até já! 🌍

06/03/2025

06/03/2025

THE BEST OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE FILMS OF THE YEAR!

28/02/2025

On 10 March, from 14:30 to 15:30, during the Kick-Off session of ICOS+ (held online), we will present the event details and all the benefits of early registration for the Congress.

Registration for this session is free but mandatory in the link https://bit.ly/ICOS_kick_off_session

Note: After submitting their registration, participants will receive the session details (link and updated information about ICOS+).

06/02/2025

Manuel Sand is Professor of Outdoor Sports and Adventure Management at the University of Applied Management.
He is head of the Outdoor Studies programme and an expert in the field of adventure tourism.
His research focuses on the motives and user profiles of adventure travellers, sustainability and regenerative adventure tourism, as well as the positive effects of adventure travel on well-being. He is a member of the steering committee of the Adventure Tourism Research Association and associate editor of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
Check more information in the link https://icoscongress.com/speaker-samuel-sand/

04/02/2025

The importance of Adventure Tourism for the sustainable development of territories is evident. But how? Topics related to business, consumers, processes, natural territories, among others, will be addressed to provide a perspective on the future of this important segment.
Additionally, this topic also focuses on the outdoor industry. What is its current state? What progress has been made in this large-scale industry in the pursuit of more sustainable business practices? Are the major brands in the industry setting an example?
These and other related topics will be discussed in this session, the first to take place at ICOS+.
Check the link “Themes and Topics” https://icoscongress.com/themes-and-topics/

01/02/2025

Eric Brymer specialises in researching the reciprocal nature of health and wellbeing from nature-based experiences, and performance in extreme environments.
Eric’s expertise includes qualitative and mixed methods research design. He holds a PhD in Psychology and Education, with a specialist interest in learning, exercise, environmental, and outdoor and adventure psychology. Eric works with and advises governments and institutional departments and collaborates with teams across the world.
Check more information in the link https://icoscongress.com/speaker-eric-brymer/