Only an observation
This is not a rant. Not meant to be, anyway. But here we go:
I’ve been noticing that kayaking/paddleboarding/racing type events have gotten a whole lot spendier in the past few years. Where it used to be pretty common to sign up for a little club contest or a community race for ten bucks or so, for the chance to win a dry top or a paddle, now that same event will be priced more in the $40-$60 range, still with the same basic gear prizes as it always had. And the gear that’s given out as prizes is all donated, same as it ever was, so there’s no smoking gun there.
Have permits gotten more expensive? I mean, that much more expensive? Is there a global t-shirt shortage that is serving to drive up prices? Are event organizers pocketing the extra lettuce? I don’t know.
I hesitate to bring up actual examples, for a few reasons: I don’t have any one specific event in mind or any bone-to-pick on any personal level, so I don’t want to give the impression that this non-rant is directed at any particular target. Furthermore, I don’t have an answer to the question; there may be legitimate reasons why a particular race or surf contest is entitled to charge an entry fee that is quadruple what it charged just a couple years ago.
Seriously though, has everyone turned pro but me?
About Ken Campbell
New Release
A story of sea kayaking and science on the rugged coast of Alaska. Coming – Spring 2014.
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