How to recruit new canoe paddlers?

[Alan Gage]

Boats wouldn’t be selling for $5K is there was no demand.

I got into road bikes a free years ago and while there are a lot more bikers than canoeists I imagine the industries are both seeiing some of the same problems.

The bike market has dropped off considerably since covid and, in particular, the entry level bikes have seen the biggest hit with fewer people taking up the hobby. So manufacturers are concentrating more on the upper end of the market where bikes are being purchased by long time bikers rather than newbies.

Essentially, to stay alive, they're selling fewer bikes for more money. This has led many to be concerned that the entry level market is being ignored and the higher bike prices will deter people from getting into the hobby.

I have no idea what will happen long term but it seems likely the canoe market is experiencing the same thing.

Alan

 

[Steve in Idaho]

There is a type of person, often with a very short attention span and too much money, who needs a new hobby/interest at regular intervals. These people usually have a very deep wallet and will research to some depth to find the “best” equipment. Having read forums such as this (other forums are available) they decide that the boat they need is made of the most expensive material and lightest weight and with a name that says “ I know what I'm about and won't stand for second best”

Once they stop showing off their purchase and get the boat to the water, they realise they don't have a clue and paddling is not as easy as a proficient paddler makes it seem. At this point they have options: they could get some coaching but in doing this they have to demonstrate what a ???? they have been spending all that money or quietly sell their boat to someone who knows better.

I love those people! They have provided me some great bargains.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

This has led many to be concerned that the entry level market is being ignored and the higher bike prices will deter people from getting into the hobby.

Sadly, I believe the entry level is fast becoming electrified.

 

[Alan Gage]

Sadly, I believe the entry level is fast becoming electrified.

There sure are a lot of them out there. Hopefully it will spark interest in some and get them deeper into the hobby.

I bought a drop handle ebike and love it. I set it up with a more comfortable cockpit and wider tires and I happily put a big bar bag on it and a rack on the back. I normally run it on the lowest assist setting and for the same wattage output I go pretty much the same speed as my traditional road bike. Essentially the motor just counteracts the extra weight and poor aerodynamics. I've actuality found I pedal harder on the ebike because it rewards more power with more power so there is incentive to push hard up a hill.

And having the motor there with higher output available means I'm more likely to go out on a windy day or ride a more hilly route knowing I don't have to kill myself if I don't want to.

I recently bought my first mountain bike for use in New Mexico and got electric for the same reason. It's nice to have the assist option when I just want a relaxing ride while exploring.

Alan

 

[Steve in Idaho]

What I'm seeing the kids riding around here are ebikes fully electric with no need, or in some cases no option, to pedal.

I expect to resort to a pedal assist ebike at some point, but not for a while yet if I can help it.

 

[tketcham]

Back to canoeing...

I recently had an interesting discussion with a retailer that sells and rents canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. I asked him about canoe sales and what people were buying. He said solo canoes are his best seller, especially set up as a pack canoe. Interestingly, kayak fisher(wo)men are switching to pack canoes from polyethylene (HDPE) fishing kayaks. I mentioned the discussion here at canoetripping.net about how to recruit people to canoeing and the problem of affordable lightweight canoes. He said he tried convincing canoe manufacturers for decades to incorporate a removable seat system in HDPE solo canoes so that the seat frame would provide hull rigidity to the mid-section of the canoe. The seat system would offer a range of seating positions, from pack to kneeling, and could be stored in the vehicle. The canoe would be fairly lightweight without a top deck, minimal gunnels, and no seat. With reduced weight, the plastic canoe would be easier to handle and car top. But nobody was interested in researching that potential.* Maybe the idea was too forward thinking and now is the time to give it a go. Not sure if it would be a canoe company like Old Town or Swift or perhaps a kayak company like Wilderness Systems or Pelican.

*He did mention the Old Town Next canoe, but that it never caught on like rec kayaks. I think the Next could be improved by using a modern, relatively stable but sporty hull form and a versatile, removable seat system like he described.

 

[yknpdlr]

What I'm seeing the kids riding around here are ebikes fully electric with no need, or in some cases no option, to pedal.

I expect to resort to a pedal assist ebike at some point, but not for a while yet if I can help it.

My wife, with bad arthritic knee and hip joints was forced to switch to an Ebike (Specialized), which does require some minimal pedaling effort to keep the motor going. Especially at the beginning of the season I may have a difficult time keeping up with her on my old fashioned mechanical bike, the opposite of when she was on her old pedal bike. Most likely someday I will have to join her with one of my own, but not for a while yet. Though her ebike does not fit me well (too small), it is quite a different experience to ride for a distance.