Growth, innovation and safety are trending for the 2026 paddlesports season
ORLANDO, Fla., April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As spring unfolds across the United States, paddlers are eagerly returning to the water to mark the unofficial start of the season for kayakers, canoers and stand-up paddleboarders, all sports which are surging in popularity. The Outdoor Industry Association's (OIA) most recent participation report states that more than 30 million Americans participated in a paddlesports activity, a robust 22 percent increase over 2019 figures.Â
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