All Paddlesports Buyers Guide

It never fails to amaze us how quickly paddlesports transitions from a hobby to a defining aspect of our identity. There are transitional stages where paddling is a sport or a passion, but for many of us, it will eventually change who we become and how we see the world. As we delve deeper into learning, this passion of ours can quickly rule our lives: dictating what we do when (when the wind is up, the waves are in, or the rivers are running, we go), who we connect with most frequently, and where we spend our free time and income. In the past few years, our industry has seen incredible growth. There has been an influx of numbers and paddlesport participants, yes. There has also been growth within our industry as…

PGM: Paddlers Guide Mag: Gero, the name Hobie is iconic, nearly synonymous with watersports. Hobie is a surfing brand, a sailing brand, a kayaking brand. What is the driving force behind it all? Gero Priebe: I am glad you reference Hobie as a surfing brand. Our founder, Hobie Alter, modeled everything the surf lifestyle and watersport industry stands for today—having a great time in, on, and around the water. Hobie’s roots lie in surfing and waterman culture; this helped strengthen our sailing brand, and is now doing the same for kayaking. Everyone at Hobie believes in our authentic, grassroots culture. We do what we love, and we love what we do. From surfboards and world-class catamarans to revolutionary pedal kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, Hobie is driven by a passion for delivering…

The past three years have seen continued growth in paddlesports and solidified our position as an industry capable of overcoming challenge after challenge. The uncertainties of Covid were met with ongoing global turbulence. Zero Covid regulations continued in China even as the rest of the world returned to pre-pandemic norms. Russia invaded Ukraine, contributing to rising prices and energy and labor shortages, driving production costs up and straining finances. The United Kingdom cycled through prime ministers and left the European Union while American politics became increasingly divisive. When the industry saw its biggest increase in popularity in nearly two decades, retailers around the globe faced the surge in demand with empty shelves. We enter 2023 with fully stocked shelves, yet demand for paddlesport products is decreasing from pandemic highs, and…

The past decade has seen a growing desire to make paddlesports more inclusive and accessible to different communities, especially minority populations. Concentrated efforts have seen increased diversity in the imagery used to portray paddlesports. Bringing that diversity to the water requires actions that support our changing perceptions of what the “typical” paddler looks like and what qualifies as the outdoors. We must all continually ask, “why isn’t my paddling community as diverse as it could be?” The belief that those interested in the outdoors, and by extension, recreational paddlesports, are largely middle-class and white is a self-fulfilling prophecy. By changing the imagery used to portray paddlesports, the industry is working to normalize Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) participants and combat existing stereotypes. Even as the desire to welcome BIPOC…

Innovation for new products comes from many places, with inspiration found throug desire or need, a problem we attempt to solve, or pre-existing concepts. Imitation, by contrast, occurs when you directly copy an existing solution to a problem rather than develop a unique idea. Drawing the line between inspiration and imitation can be surprisingly difficult. For Matyas Hilgert of Hiko Sport, the designer's intention is critical. If the goal or essential question driving product development is, “‘Can we improve what is already out there?’ and the answer is yes,” he argues, “then by doing so, you are inherently unique.” Hilgert reminds us that appearance is only one way to differentiate products. Product performance, functionality, affordability, or sustainability can differ greatly from designer decisions, even if the base aesthetic is similar. In…

From June 2020 to March 2022, paddleboard sales surged as COVID lockdown measures and travel restrictions affected lives on a global scale. Stand-up paddling, with its accessibility, versatility, and gentle learning curve, became a go-to for fitness and leisure while maintaining social distance. By the end of 2022, the market had become flooded with paddleboards, now found in specialty shops, big box retailers, and even supermarkets. Yet, with travel possible again and the pressures of normal life returning, the influx of participants and the purchase of new boards soon waned. The future of SUP seemed to lose its luster until it seemed that suddenly, foils were everywhere. Foils have earned accolades for their ability to unlock potential in a wide range of conditions, from flat waters to chop, and for their unparalleled…