Ad Opportunity: Stand-Up Paddle Surfing Market Grows

 

Consumers are always looking for new ways to put some fun into their workouts.  The most recent crazes, kayaking and snowshoeing, are starting to fade. In their place, more consumers are discovering stand-up  paddle surfing  or SUP.

Laird Hamilton, a nationally ranked surfer, says “I’m convinced it [SUP] will be an Olympic sport.”  The sport is gaining acceptance in venues far  outside the traditional markets of Hawaii and California. For example, the 4^th Annual SEA Paddle NYC will take place on August 13^th this year. That’s  when participants will paddle 28 miles around Manhattan in an event organized by Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA).

The sport requires only a personal flotation device, a paddle and a wider-than-average surfboard. With this equipment, stand-up paddlers can enjoy a low impact workout on a lake, river or ocean bay. Experts say the sport strengthens both arm and leg muscles.  The sport  appeals to consumers of all ages. However, Hamilton says that nearly 50% of consumers buying the boards are women.  The boards are flying off the shelves in non-traditional markets such as “Chicago, Boise and Austin, Texas,” according to Ty Zulim, sales manager for Surftech International.

Contact sales reps in your market to discuss the fast-growing SUP sport and discuss an ad campaign to target consumers who are paddling late into the fall.

[Sources: Helliker, Kevin. Surf's Up. Wall Street Journal. Web. 1 Aug. 2010; Furey, Shannon. Surf, Stand Up Paddle Industry Rally Behind 4^th Annual Sea Paddle NYC. SupSurfMag.com. Web. Aug. 2010 ]