Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969), who became President after Kennedy was assassinated, was raised in the rural south. He enjoyed the activities typical of a boy raised on a farm such as fishing, hunting and riding. During his Presidency, Johnson spent as much time as possible on his ranch in Texas where he could relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Richard Nixon (1969-1974) was an avid golfer, and also enjoyed bowling.
Gerald Ford (1974-1977) was the only President to be an All-American Athlete in college. As President, he enjoyed golf, jogging, sailing, shooting, skiing and swimming, all of which he did rather well. In spite of his athletic prowess, he was portrayed as clumsy in the national media. After he left the White House, he continued to play in pro-am golf tournaments for charity.
Since then, our more recent Presidents have been followed and photographed as they played and relaxed. Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) was another of our more athletic Presidents. He enjoyed swimming, canoeing and fishing. He also played softball and tennis, and enjoyed jogging and skiing. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) was our oldest President, but you wouldn’t know it from his physical activities. He enjoyed riding, and did so as often as possible on his ranch in California. He also chopped wood on his ranch. While in the White House, he regularly went swimming. George Bush (1989-1993) brought the game of horseshoes to the White House, having a horseshoe court installed on the White House lawn. After leaving the White House, he took one or two well-publicized parachute jumps as he learned skydiving. A navy fighter pilot in World War II (and the youngest commissioned officer in the navy during the war), he had been shot down on more than one occasion. He said of his first skydive that he had done it before, but never on purpose. Bill Clinton (1993-2001) was well known for his jogging and playing golf, both of which he continues today.
Our Presidents have engaged in the same variety of hobbies, sports and relaxation activities as the public they have represented. In fact, their activities have been a good reflection of their times, although one or two have found truly unusual pastimes. We can only wait and see what the future holds in store.
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