Outdoor Research Study 2009

A Special Report on Paddlesports is based on extended analysis of data collected for the Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, produced annually by The Outdoor Foundation. The report uses the responses of over 40,000 Americans ages six and older captured in an on-line survey covering 114 different activities. The survey is the largest of its type examining participation in sports and outdoor activities.

Participation
• 17.8 million Americans ages 6 and older participated in kayaking, canoeing, and rafting in 2008.
• 9.9 million Americans participated in canoeing in 2008. 7.8 million Americans participated in kayaking and 4.7 million in rafting.
• Paddling participants made 174 million outings in 2008, averaging 10 days per participant.

Kayaking•
Kayaking has enjoyed steady growth since 2006, climbing to 2.8 percent of Americans ages 6 and older in 2008.
• Recreational kayaking is the most popular type of kayaking followed – by a significant margin – by sea/tour kayaking and whitewater kayaking.
• 47 percent of kayakers get out 1 to 3 times per year.
• Most kayakers live in states bordering the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean – the Middle Atlantic, South Atlantic and Pacific regions.

Canoeing•
Canoeing is the most popular type of paddling. 3.6 percent of Americans age 6 and older participated in canoeing in 2008.
• Canoeing participants make an average of 7 outings per year. Despite the activities greater popularity, canoers make fewer annual outings than kayakers – 77.4 million compared to 69.5 million.
• Geographically, most canoers – over 40 percent of all participants – are located in the East North Central and South Atlantic regions of the US, those states bordering the great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean.

Motivations and Barriers•
Friends and parents are the most influential in introducing paddlers to outdoor activities.
• Relaxation is the top reason cited for participation in outdoor activities by kayakers and rafters while fun is the top reason cited among canoers.
• A lack of time is the number one reason camping participants don’t get out more often. A lack of money for equipment is also a commonly cited reason.

So there it is...it's now official.
Canoeing and Kayaking is a contributing factor to the health and wellness of the American public.

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