Stand-up paddling remained the hottest category at PaddleExpo 2014, which drew more exhibitors, brands and buyers from more countries to Nuremberg Exhibition Hall in Germany last month, according to Horst Fürsattel.
The trade show, which was held from Sept. 28-30 at a new 53,670-square-foot hall, hosted 136 exhibitors (2013: 121), 271 brands (2013: 263) and 1,405 attendees (2013: 1,369, 48 countries, with more than half from outside Germany).
PaddleExpo said inflatable SUP boards are driving much of the category’s growth in Europe. In Germany, for example, suppliers say eight of 10 boards sold are now inflatables. The boards appeal to many Germans because they only weighs up to about 7 kg (15.5 pounds), can be transported easily, and dont require a lot of storage room. In Germany alone, SUP board sales are forecast to be in excess of 15,000, experts have noted, albeit with caution.
Folding and inflatable boats, a segment that also includes so-called hybrid boats, also are gaining popularity. Good performance, light weight, ease of quick assembly, and a very low pack mass have made these boats more attractive to outdoor specialty retailers who dont have the room or desire to set up a grand hall of boats.
Women are driving sales of single kayaks, in part because they are graduating from tandem boats. Paddling as fitness is another continuing trend. More and more people are paddling after work for an hour.
In addition to the trend toward premium and more specialized touring and white water boats, German suppliers have recognized and taken on the challenge of entry-level boats. In order to better compete with cheap brands coming to market from the Far East, traditional boat builders are considering simpler, modular boat systems. An important mainstay for boat brands is as always the rental market on European lakes and rivers.
Internationally the kayak fishing market is also gaining relevance. In the United States and Canada, the concept has never been more popular. Now, more and more people in Europes Northern and Western countries are discovering the attraction of kayak fishing.
Horst Fürsattel noted that attendance at the show peaked on Monday for the first time in its 12-year history.
In the early years, Sunday was always the busiest day, he said. This underscores the changes in the industry and its increasing professionalism since more people now use a regular workday for doing business..
“The 12th annual PaddleExpo clearly showed that this international trade fair not only is the leading marketplace for the industry, but also clearly demonstrated that it remains the meeting place for the global paddle community,” Horst Fürsattel said in a press release. “Helping that popularity is its timing at the end of the paddling season as well as its central position in Europe making it easily accessible.”
The show has become the platform for the German Canoe Retailers Forum founded in 2013. Participants in the forum communicate during the year via a membership-only Facebook page, while they have the opportunity at the trade fair for personal meetings and information exchanges. Interested retailers should register on the Facebook page, Deutscher Kanufachhandel (German Canoe Retailers).
Members of the National German Canoe Association (BV Kanu) have a village of neighboring booths. They want to show their mutual strength and high standards for service and quality, as well as to underscore their reliability in dealing with retailers. In addition, BV Kanu also used the trade show to recruit new members in the industry. As a BV Kanu spokesperson said, they all share the same concerns; thus, if they work together a rising tide floats all boats.
PaddleExpo 2015 will take place Sept. 17-19 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre in Germany.
