For the action sports industry in 2009, it’s all about keeping your head above water.
Already struggling with a glut of inventory, the $14.4 billion industry is forecasting sales to fall as much as 25 percent this year. Some surfboard makers say their business is down 30 percent to 40 percent as consumers put off larger purchases.
With numbers like that, industry insiders say some brands will disappear and the economic undertow will pull down a number of mom-and-pop shops, considered the backbone of the business because of their connection to the core action sports customer…. More info
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| ‘Auckland brothers Warren and Scott Lewis bring ’Fairview Doors and Windows’ across the line to take out round one of the NZ Offshore championship. – Offshore action across the Tasman’   Phillip Hoskyn |
 It has been labelled ‘Thunder on the Gulf’ as New Zealand’s offshore racers prepare for the second round of the 2009 Rayglass NZ Offshore Powerboat championships set down for next Saturday (February 14).
Race organisers have mapped out an open sea course off the Gulf Harbour Marina, north of Auckland.
Cary Gleeson, vice-president of the NZ Offshore Powerboat Association (NZOPA) has described the course as ‘traditionally pretty challenging.’
Gleeson, driver of ‘Doosan’, is the current series leader in the Superboat Lite class.
‘Some parts of the course can be very rough, with other legs fairly flat depending on tide and prevailing conditions; the race will always be interesting as some boats will be set up for the rough and that can often produce an upset victory,’ he added…Â More infoÂ
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The Sixth Annual Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament Hosted by Captain Kayak – Long Island’s Premier Kayak Fishing Source.
The Sixth Annual Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 16th, 2009. Last year’s tournament was a great success, even though bad weather hindered the actual turnout, kayak fishermen from all over enjoying the many activities and great fishing with the cooperation of all three targeted species – bluefish, striped bass and weakfish. This year the event has been moved back 2 weeks but fishing still promises to be great. The event is geared both toward, the serious competitive kayak fisherman and the person who just wants to learn more about this fast growing sport… More info
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Money is an emotional issue, especially during economic hard times. Social scientists have always warned that once a person’s basic needs are met money doesn’t buy happiness. But if you’re wondering, or maybe even arguing over, what to do with any precious discretionary income these days, a new study suggests how to get the biggest emotional bang for your buck.
Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, found that buying experiences — such as vacations, going to the theater or renting a sailboat — gave people more happiness than buying material things. The study, of 154 people ages 19 to 50, showed that experiences increase happiness …Â More info
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