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I V <br />City of Durango: Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation Fi a1 R.pon 2006 <br />II. WHITEWATER USE TRENDS <br />This section undertakes an overview of National, State, and Local whitewater recreation use <br />trends. At the national level, the Outdoor Industry Association is one of the leading trackers of <br />outdoor sports participation and statistics. The 2005 Outdoor Recreation and Participation Study <br />provides an excellent general overview of whitewater participation trends.' At the State level the <br />Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) provides detailed information <br />on recreation users and trends. Local trends are established through known commercial activity <br />figures and detailed analysis and estimates of non - commercial (private party) users. <br />NATIONAL TRENDS <br />The Outdoor Industry Association is one of the leading national trackers of outdoor sports <br />participation and statistics. <br />Figure 1. National Boating (Rafter & Kayaker) Participation Trends 1998 -2004' <br />w 5,000 <br />v <br />m <br />4,000 <br />0 <br />r <br />~ 3,000 <br />2,000 <br />1.000 <br />180% Incre <br />from 199 <br />1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 <br />use <br />3 <br />It is clear from national participation standards that rafting and kayaking participation experienced <br />tremendous growth between 1998 and 2002 with participation numbers near trebling. <br />NATIONAL BOATER DEMOGRAPHICS <br />Whitewater recreationists are predominately male with a slight majority between the ages of 16 <br />and 34. 36% and 46% of kayakers and rafters respectively, are over the age of 35. The <br />majority of kayakers and near majority of rafters are married with 35% of kayakers and 51% <br />rafters having children. <br />' 2005 Outdoor Sports Participation Survey - Outdoor Industry Association - Note that the graph represents the Outdoor Industry <br />Association's "enthusiast" category of boat <br />01 cans gins 1 970.382.9153 4 <br />