The paddlesports industry is experiencing mixed trends, with canoe participation growing slightly while kayak sales decline, especially in the fishing segment. Attendance at the canoecopia event was around 21,000, reflecting regional influences, and recent data showed an overall market growth to $360 million in 2018. Safety measures and educational opportunities regarding paddlesports, such as lifejacket awareness and retailer collaboration, are emphasized as improvements needed for the industry.

1. Canoe - Kayak - SUP - Raft
Paddlesports
Update

2. Paddlesports Participation: Outdoor Foundation
Paddlesports Update

3. Early Season Indicator: 2019
Paddlesports Update

4. Canoecopia
Paddlesports Update
• Good industry litmus test, but has very strong regional influences
• Attendance about 21,000 total, about 5% down over 2018 … but up from 2016
and 2017
• Canoes grew minimally:
– Canoes experienced 24% growth in 2017 in comparison to 2016
– Then they grew 26% in 2018 from 2017!
– 2019 is up 2% in comparison to 2018
• Kayak sales were down a few percentages each year for the past couple of years
- but fishing kayak sales are trending downward at that same rate.
• Recreational is recreational - stays the same.
• Touring seems to want to grow, Day touring is going down.
• SUP is dead.
-Industry insider

5. Manufacturer Boat Sales - Paddlesports
Paddlesports Update
The NPD Group: Market Research & Consumer Trends
Offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help you grow your
business in a changing world.
2018 Total = $360million
2017 Total = $317million
2018 Rec = $326million
2017 Rec = $291million
2018 Touring = $25million
2017 Touring = $21million
2018 Whitewater = $9million
2017 Whitewater = $5million

6. USCG Recreational Boating Statistics
Paddlesports Fatalities
7875
9090
99
80
91
78
96
64
110115
84
104101
78
87
98
78
99
107114
132
141134
105
114
135
146
167
149
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Canoe, Kayak, & SUP Fatalities

7. USCG Recreational Boating Statistics
Paddlesports Fatalities
49
72 71
80
93 89
66
52 55
75
68
63
44
29 27
36 34
39
52
68
50 54 58
71
89
94
3 5 2
7
15 11
78 75
90 90
99
80
91
78
96
64
110
115
84
104 101
78
87
98
78
99
107
114
132
141
134
105
114
135
146
167
149
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Paddlesport Fatalities: 1987-2017
Canoe Fatalities Kayak Fatalities SUP Fatalities Total Fatalities

8. USCG Recreational Boating Statistics
Paddlesports Fatalities
49
72 71
80
93 89
66
52 55
75
68
63
44
29 27
36 34
39
52
68
50 54
58
71
89
94
3 5 2
7
15 11
78
99
107
114
132
141
134
105
114
135
146
167
149
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Paddlesport Fatalities: 2005-2017
Canoe Fatalities Kayak Fatalities SUP Fatalities Total Fatalities

9. Improvement Opportunity with Large Retailers
Paddlesports Update

10. Improvement Opportunity with Large Retailers
Paddlesports Update

11. Improvement Opportunity with Large Retailers
Paddlesports Update
Subject: another low cost kayak ad from Menards
Hello Everyone,
About a week ago there was yet another flyer in the local newspaper from a non-
paddlesports retailer - big box store MENARDS advertising the VIPER - a 10'4" kayak
at the sale price of $149.00 after a $20.00 rebate with a $19.99 paddle! See attached.
Another perfect example of what we talked about. I wonder how much information the
Menard's clerks have to share with the buyers of this kayak.
Maybe there might even we a way to program the cash registers to print out on the
receipt the ACA website or something similar to inform buyers where they can go for
more info - especially safety. Most often now, when I go to a store, there is a "let us
know how we did" question, or a raffle to enter or a rebate, or whatever…..so why not
add some safety info when someone buys a kayak from Menards, Costco, Walmart,
etc.
I don't know the details on how the law was passed that each PFD has to have the little
brochure attached……cannot something similarly be done for kayaks/canoes/SUP’s?
Concerned Paddler from the Midwest

12. LJA getting Lifejackets on Paddlers
Paddlesports Update
• Advocate for more lifejacket wear laws
• Hangtag card for PFDs
– through other associations, NSBC, SeaTow Foundation, WSIA,
ACA, etc.
– placed on boats at point of manufacture
– funnel to LJA website store

13. Labeling Issues for Educating Paddlers
Paddlesports Update

14. Labeling Issues for Educating Paddlers
Paddlesports Update

15. Labeling Issues for Educating Paddlers
Paddlesports Update

16. NBSAC Recommendation: 2019-101-1
Paddlesports Update

17. NBSAC Recommendation: 2019-101-1
Paddlesports Update

18. Printable PFD…
Paddlesports Update

19. Thank You & Questions?
Paddlesports Update
Christopher Stec
Chair, National Safe Boating Council
ACA Whitewater Canoe & SUP Instructor Trainer Educator