Re: [Paddlewise] Chuck--new owners dying on their first trip--what is the answer?

From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:50:58 -0500
> >In Mt. Denali State Park, Alaska, the rangers sit mountaineers down and
make
> >them watch a video before they start climbing.  But that is a state park
and
> >they have the right to mandate that kind of thing.  Perhaps someone could
make
> >a scary safety video that could be handed to new buyers?

        I wish that could be so....  Years ago ACA produced a series of
intro safety videos intended for use by liveries.  A longer one was intended
to be seen by prospective guides, the other two for the public, both
relatively short.  It bombed.  Clients just weren't interested in sitting
around and looking at it.  SOme liveries refused to use it, saying they
didn't want to scare off their paying clients....
        There's a new series around, now, including one for sea kayaking,
which came out earlier this year, especially for liveries and dealers...
How many have seen it?

        A couple of years ago, one of the local canoe clubs developed a
package of information including safety literature, lists of resources,
water ratings, etc. to be given out (actually attached to boats) to new
purchasers.  They included a year's free membership in the club with
newsletters, etc.  --Not a single one of those were ever sent in....
        Dagger had a promotion a few years ago wherein you were given a free
6 month membership in ACA.  In our division we never had more than 5 or 6
people taking advantage of it, out of some 1400.

        The majority of buyers of boats simply aren't interested in really
learning more about the sport or its aspects.  This is a really tough public
relations nut to crack.  I have no idea how to do it....

Joe P.


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Received on Thu Dec 13 2001 - 06:54:06 PST

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