Surf Industry Impacted By Rough Economic Times

ADMIN

• December 15 2008
• 498 views
• 2 comments

The New York Times reported this weekend on the state of the $8 billion surf industry, which - like many others in the same boat - also seems to be greatly impacted during this tough economic time. The story includes quotes from industry heavyweights such as Dick Baker, Wayne Bartholomew and Andy Tompkins, and speculation about the affects on retail, trade shows, contests and even pro sponsorship.

“Marie Case, the managing director of Board-Trac, a board-sports market research company, said her company forecast 3.3 billion purchases by surfers in 2008. That is down from a high of 4.1 billion in 2003. But Case says an economic downturn is only part of the reason for declining purchases by surfers.

‘This is an aging market,’ Case said, owing to diminished birth rates 12 to 16 years ago.

There were 2.4 million surfers in the United States in 2007, according to Case, up from two million in 2004. But more than 50 percent are older than 25. In 2007, the average surfer was 29, which has hurt surf retail.

‘The 25-plus market, they don’t buy as many T-shirts or pairs of sandals,’ Case said.”

Read the full New York Times story HERE.