Industry leaders in the paddlesports market have formed a new national trade organization.
Representatives from 30 paddlesports brands and manufacturers gathered in Bentonville, Ark. to organize the Paddlesports Trade Coalition.
According to a news release, the coalition plans to unite manufacturers, distributors, sales representatives, retailers, and media to grow the paddlesports market in North America as well as monitor and engage in relevant federal and state legislation, water access issues, sustainability practices, and other matters related to the category.
The group defines paddlesports as “all modes of human and electric-powered personal watercraft including canoes and kayaks as well as SUP (stand-up paddle), pedal drives, and the growing electric-drive powered personal watercraft.”
According to Outdoor Industry Association participation data from 2022, recreational kayaking leads the paddlesports category in popularity:
- Recreational kayak – 13.6 million participants
- Sea/touring kayak – 2.6 million
- Whitewater kayak – 2.7 million
- Canoe – 9.5 million
- SUP – 3.8 million
Brands represented at the Arkansas event included:
- AIRE Inc. Whitewater Division
- Angle Oar LLC
- AquaBound/ Bending Branches
- Aquaglide
- BIG Adventures (Native Watercraft, Bonafide, Liquidlogic, Hurricane Kayaks)
- Boonedox
- Canyon Coolers
- Diablo Paddlesports
- Down River Equipment
- Eddyline Kayaks
- Esquif
- Grey Duck Outdoor
- Hobie Kayaks
- Jackson Kayak
- Kokatat, Inc.
- Level Six
- Malone Auto Racks
- Mustang Survival
- NRS
- Old Town/ Ocean Kayak/ Carlisle Paddles
- Pau Hana Surf Supply
- RAILBLAZA
- Sawyer Paddles and Oars
- Sea-Dog
- Sea-Lect Designs
- Seals Sprayskirts & Accessories
- Suspenz
- Wenonah Canoe
- Current Designs Kayak
- Werner Paddles
- Yak Attack
- Yak Power
Any paddlesports brands that were unable to make the summit and would like to join the coalition can contact Jeff Turner of Kokatat at [email protected] to get involved.
