The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) recently published part of its 2007 study of outdoor recreation participation.
The study shows boating participation is up 8.9 percent over the previous years' figure. Only tennis, scooter riding and target shooting increased more. Boating was #10 on the list of all recreation activities for total number of participants and was the fastest growing outdoor activity among the largest (meaning the most participants) sixteen outdoor activities.
This is the second consecutive year for big increases in boating participation compared to other forms of outdoor recreation.
Our research seems to mirror NSGA's findings. According to NMMA's 2007 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract – the most comprehensive and detailed collection of industry statistics we compile annually – boating participation increased by 10 percent to 59.1 million American adults in 2007. That's an incredibly high number when you stop and think about it.
These numbers tell me that boating, as an outdoor activity, is alive and well; that in spite of a tough economy and rising fuel prices, boaters are still excited and willing to go boating – which is fantastic news!
I'm a boater myself, and I absolutely love the feelings of freedom and relaxation I get from spending a beautiful day out on the water. No other activity I participate in gives me that same rush. Boating is truly unique, and nothing makes me happier than to hear more and more people each year are jumping on the bandwagon (or, should I say, 'jumping onboard') and going boating.
– Thom DammrichÂ
