Here's my question: In places with thriving ski communities with a good mix of women and younger people, what do these communities do that could be replicated in other areas to get more non-traditional people in the sport. (that is, anyone besides a middle age man)
Reading the comments and looking at the demographics of the survey, its quite apparent this is an extremely male, older, and likely high income sport. My experience supports this too. Although I dont live in the mecca of surfski paddling, I have:
-Never seen a woman on a ski
-Never met a younger ski paddler than me (I am currently 33) and never met a ski paddler below 40
-Rarely meet a ski paddler with less experience than me (3 years paddling ski, though I learn quick and am a strong intermediate trending towards advanced paddler)
-Never met a non-white person with a ski
I know women, newbies, younger, and ethnically diverse people exist in the sport, they just don't necessarily cross paths with me. However, I feel like if ski paddling was growing like SUP is, we'd see more diversity in the sport. I see everyone on SUPs in relatively equal numbers. (that is, men, women, children, and people that aren't albino white, both experienced and completely inexperienced).
Pair that observation with the answers to the question "what was the main impediment to joining the sport". 50% of the responses fall into 2 categories - Cost of Equipment and No one to learn from/paddle with. "Difficulty finding boats" is also a common response, but I'll lump that in with Cost of Equipment, because you can always find a new boat if you have the $.
I guess, I would hate to see ski paddling suffer from long term decline, similar to sea kayaking, due to no young blood (in america at least) entering the sport.
Also, women are 50% of the population but as I write this, only 7% of respondents. How do we get more women in the sport? They seem like low hanging fruit to bring into the ski family.
It seems like a local Boat Club probably is a common thread of communities with an above average paddling scene. How do boat clubs start up?
Any thoughts?
Reading the comments and looking at the demographics of the survey, its quite apparent this is an extremely male, older, and likely high income sport. My experience supports this too. Although I dont live in the mecca of surfski paddling, I have:
-Never seen a woman on a ski
-Never met a younger ski paddler than me (I am currently 33) and never met a ski paddler below 40
-Rarely meet a ski paddler with less experience than me (3 years paddling ski, though I learn quick and am a strong intermediate trending towards advanced paddler)
-Never met a non-white person with a ski
I know women, newbies, younger, and ethnically diverse people exist in the sport, they just don't necessarily cross paths with me. However, I feel like if ski paddling was growing like SUP is, we'd see more diversity in the sport. I see everyone on SUPs in relatively equal numbers. (that is, men, women, children, and people that aren't albino white, both experienced and completely inexperienced).
Pair that observation with the answers to the question "what was the main impediment to joining the sport". 50% of the responses fall into 2 categories - Cost of Equipment and No one to learn from/paddle with. "Difficulty finding boats" is also a common response, but I'll lump that in with Cost of Equipment, because you can always find a new boat if you have the $.
I guess, I would hate to see ski paddling suffer from long term decline, similar to sea kayaking, due to no young blood (in america at least) entering the sport.
Also, women are 50% of the population but as I write this, only 7% of respondents. How do we get more women in the sport? They seem like low hanging fruit to bring into the ski family.
It seems like a local Boat Club probably is a common thread of communities with an above average paddling scene. How do boat clubs start up?
Any thoughts?