So, here we are. It’s 2007 and another sailing season of opportunity. We American baby boomers have created a population equaling our 76 million. They are between the ages of seven and twenty-five. What have been or are the activities amongst these “kids”? I’d bet most played soccer at least one season, rode a BMX bicycle and rode a skateboard at least once (or will). Of the older ones how many have rock climbed, mountain biked, canoed/kayaked?



Even though the average work week now takes 47 hours of our lives, leisure time has declined 37% and playstations, ipods and the internet are not just a FAD and we are overweight, don’t get enough exercise and spend too much time watching TV (and on, and on, and on) the following statistics remain.

Outdoor activities played a major role in the lives of the majority of Americans 16 and older. 71.6% of Americans 16 and older participated in at least one human powered activity - a Participant population that is equal to 159 million Americans. Activities that have multiple formats (something for everyone) attracted the largest number of Americans 16 and older during the year:
- Bicycling (Any Type) 85.7 million
- Fishing (Any Type) 80.4 million
- Camping (Any Type) 65.7 million
- Paddlesports (Any Type) 31.8 million

Demographic Profile of Human Powered Outdoor Users Participants
– The majority of overall Participants are male (56%)
– Americans of all ages participate in outdoor activities
– The presence of youth is strong: 26% are between 16 and 24 years old
– The marital status of overall Participants is split between married (52%) and unmarried (48%)
– One-half (50%) of Participants report the presence of children in their household
– Overall Participants report slightly above average affluence--mean household income of $60,000
– The overall Participant population is comprised primarily of Caucasian Americans (79%)

Let’s take the premise that the American boating public is 5% of the population, and 10% of that are sailors. So of the 76 million youth ages 7 to 25 there are 380,000 potential sailors.

May we spend some time talking about developing this?



Car topped and on the water in 15 minutes. How do we keep it simple?

Thanks, from a "pie in the sky guy"