Author Topic: Is the SUP industry tanking?  (Read 27041 times)

PT Woody

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #105 on: July 19, 2018, 03:49:51 AM »
Yes SUP is probably tanking, yet we still see people and organisations and brands run with the old "fastest growing water sport" nonsense. It's a good way to spot a bullshitter.

JEG

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #106 on: July 19, 2018, 03:24:44 PM »
that bullshitter word, Ooh man  :-X
In my area, SUP is steadily growing   ::)

PT Woody

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #107 on: July 19, 2018, 04:23:24 PM »
Yes perhaps I should have said charlatan, con man, or snake oil salesman. Anyone still trying to spin the line that stand up paddle boarding is the world's fastest growing water sport is definitely one of those.

surf4food

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #108 on: July 19, 2018, 05:18:14 PM »
I still think it's a bit of a stretch to say it's "tanking".  It's going through the solidification period we all knew it would at some point.

connector14

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #109 on: July 19, 2018, 09:47:23 PM »
Different strokes for different folks. I got into SUP in 2014. It has changed my life. I lost 30 lbs and cut my cholesterol numbers in half. I have sold all of my boats and power equipment and I'm now fully retired. I look forward to standup paddling everyday if possible. My wife also paddles with me whenever conditions beckon.
She is not as hardcore as I am,  but she does enjoy sharing the stoke when it's sunny and flat. (she really has a better looking stroke than I do and I wish she would "embrace the conditions" as much as I try) but hey,  I should be happy she enjoys getting out there with me as much as I enjoy having company on my sessions.
When I first witnessed standup paddling I thought it was the stupidest thing I had ever seen. Now I can't imagine life without it.
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2014 Bark Dominator 14....smooth and quiet
2014 Imagine Connector 14...the "barge"

stoneaxe

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #110 on: July 20, 2018, 07:55:26 AM »
Other than how it effects folks in the industry that I like I could care less if SUP is "tanking". It's not going to disappear. We'll still have plenty of boards to choose from. The effect on board design.....not sure how much innovation is left to be found in SUP. Some for sure but design is pretty mature regardless of discipline.
Bob

8-4 Vec, 9-0 SouthCounty, 9-8 Starboard, 10-4 Foote Triton, 10-6 C4, 12-6 Starboard, 14-0 Vec (babysitting the 18-0 Speedboard) Ke Nalu Molokai, Ke Nalu Maliko, Ke Nalu Wiki Ke Nalu Konihi

Zooport

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #111 on: July 20, 2018, 10:30:21 AM »
I personally don't think the SUP industry is "tanking"  I think the initial boom is over and it will now grow at moderate pace. 

I expect some manufacturers have overproduced expecting the boom to go on forever and supply is very high, so prices have to fall.  It will all normalize in the next year or two. 
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kayadogg

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #112 on: July 20, 2018, 10:46:39 AM »
“Tanking” is a ridiculous description. Leveling off, plateauing... sure. 2 out of the 3 biggest races in RI have recently been cancelled. The only one that is going strong was last weekend and had almost 100 paddlers, lots on all-arounders. There’s a swim, kayak and lifeguard prone board race too, so it’s supported by more than the stand up community. Racing and surfing make up less than 10% of the industry so people see these areas flattening our, possibly declining (racing) and assume it’s tanking. I notice more all around boards in people’s yards, on cars and in the water than I ever have. It’s become something much more commonplace but our little niche pockets are trimming the fat.

stoneaxe

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #113 on: July 30, 2018, 10:01:21 AM »
I agree with Kaya...I think we could reasonably say that SUP racing is tanking. At a guess more than half the folks I know (including myself) that were into racing SUPs have stopped. They still enjoy SUP...just not the racing part. I still see more boards on vehicles every year than I did the year before. I think if events want to stay around they'll have to offer more than just races.
Bob

8-4 Vec, 9-0 SouthCounty, 9-8 Starboard, 10-4 Foote Triton, 10-6 C4, 12-6 Starboard, 14-0 Vec (babysitting the 18-0 Speedboard) Ke Nalu Molokai, Ke Nalu Maliko, Ke Nalu Wiki Ke Nalu Konihi

ukgm

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #114 on: July 30, 2018, 10:47:29 AM »
I agree with Kaya...I think we could reasonably say that SUP racing is tanking. At a guess more than half the folks I know (including myself) that were into racing SUPs have stopped. They still enjoy SUP...just not the racing part. I still see more boards on vehicles every year than I did the year before. I think if events want to stay around they'll have to offer more than just races.

Yep, for the 1% that are looking to win, the other 99% will want an event experience that is both challenging yet attainable. Its that aspect that I feel the sport lacks in the majority of the events it currently has...... but that's if if you want mass participation (surf skiing for example aren't fussed).

stoneaxe

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #115 on: July 30, 2018, 11:43:47 AM »
The CCBC has never been a race...it's an anti-race if anything but we've seen the effects of the drop too. We expected a big drop in participation after the 10th anniversary and we got it. Smallest group since 2009.

Your comment about the 99% is spot on. I was originally skeptical of our new route, distance, and venue but I think now that it opens a new door to us. It's still enough of a challenge to bear the name but it's far more accessible at 22 miles than 34 and allowing teams makes it even more so. It's a perfect spot for us to make the event more/different than it was. I'm looking forward to bringing some more fun to it. Pretty sure we'll be looking to make the landing/party location at Duxbury Beach an all day affair with lots for family, friends, and the community to do.
Bob

8-4 Vec, 9-0 SouthCounty, 9-8 Starboard, 10-4 Foote Triton, 10-6 C4, 12-6 Starboard, 14-0 Vec (babysitting the 18-0 Speedboard) Ke Nalu Molokai, Ke Nalu Maliko, Ke Nalu Wiki Ke Nalu Konihi

JimK

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Re: Is the SUP industry tanking?
« Reply #116 on: July 31, 2018, 06:39:00 AM »
Here in NJ/PA SUP in NOT tanking (I'm not a charlertan or snake oil salesman) Not booming But settled into steady sustainable growth

JimK
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