OUTDOOR RECREATION TRENDS
(This article was taken from the Mountain Equipment Co-op newsletter and is NOT an advertisement, but is intended to show the latest trend in outdoor recreation.)
MEC HAS MORE THAN 2.3 MILLION MEMBERS... each with his or her own range of outdoor interests. To serve our members, and deliver the best products and services, we conduct research and stay abreast of the latest trends in outdoor recreation. The biggest indicator of what's happening is that more and more people are getting outside. Outdoor recreation is exploding in popularity.
According to recent reports from the Outdoor Industry Association (a U.S.-based non-profit organization), roughly 60 per cent of people in Canada and the U.S. participate in at least one self-propelled outdoor activity.
The most popular and accessible outdoor activities are hiking, cycling, and camping. Interestingly, hiking, camping, and backpacking have shown a decline in the past four years. Activities with the highest growth are those that can be practiced in a single day, such as snowshoeing, rafting, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, trail running, and climbing.
This information supports what we see at MEC. Camping sales have shown a slight decline while specialty sports like climbing, paddling, cycling, and Nordic skiing have increased. Sales of backcountry expedition packs have dropped off while sales of daypacks have increased.
The most significant trend in the outdoor industry is the move to shorter trips, mostly day-use, front country, and lightly equipped. Older people are pursuing less strenuous day activities like bird watching and hiking while younger members are participating in hard-core sports such as climbing, whitewater kayaking, trail running, mountain biking, and snowboarding:
The face of Canada is also rapidly changing. The population is aging, the birth rate is declining, and immigration is increasing. Many immigrants come from backgrounds where the “great outdoors" is not part of their culture. Other trends are emerging: obesity, urbanization, climate change, ecosystem degradation, fuel scarcity, and geopolitical changes, to name just a few. |
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM and the WALDIE ISLAND TRAIL
Waldie Island was a favourite site for some of the Communities in Bloom judges.
Elaine Robinson walked with Mr. Geisbrecht most of the way and he was very interested in our organization, its number of active workers and how the trail maintenance was done.
Everyone who was on the “Waldie Walk” was most impressed with Steven Rigby’s trimming and tidying up. Thanks to Steve and Dave.
The judges liked our “doggie set-ups”, the comment box, and the “green cover” on the sewage lagoon was brilliant and velvety. People took pictures and made assorted remarks about the “fine quality of Castlegar products.” |
