South Korea Water Sports Gear Market Overview, 2028

South Korea's growing middle-class population has shown a heightened interest in water sports. Activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and water skiing have gained popularity, driving demand for related gear. South Korea's geography includes an extensive coastline along the Yellow Sea and East Sea, as well as numerous lakes and rivers. These accessible water bodies provide ideal locations for water sports and encourage gear purchases. The South Korean government actively promotes tourism, including water sports, through initiatives like the Visit Korea campaign. Such efforts attract tourists and locals alike to participate in water-based activities, boosting gear sales. South Korea hosts various water sports festivals, competitions, and events throughout the year. These events create opportunities for enthusiasts to engage in their favorite activities and often require specialized gear. South Korea has active water sports communities that organize group outings, training sessions, and events. These communities foster a culture of water sports and drive gear sales among their members. As South Koreans increasingly focus on health and wellness, water sports are viewed as an enjoyable way to stay active and relieve stress. This trend has led to higher demand for gear that enhances fitness and relaxation in aquatic environments. South Korea has numerous water parks and resorts that offer water-based activities, including wakeboarding, tubing, and paddleboarding. These venues create opportunities for individuals to try out various water sports, often using rented gear. Stand-up paddleboarding has become a popular water sport in South Korea, particularly on calm lakes and rivers. The demand for inflatable SUP boards and related accessories has surged. South Korea's diverse landscapes, including mountains, rivers, and coastal areas, attract adventure tourists seeking water-based activities such as rafting, canyoning, and cliff diving. These activities require specialized gear for safety and enjoyment. South Korean consumers have a strong interest in water sports apparel, including rash guards, wetsuits, swimwear, and performance clothing. These items are essential for comfort and protection during water activities. South Korea has numerous water sports clubs dedicated to specific activities like sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing. These clubs often organize events, provide training, and foster a sense of community among enthusiasts, driving gear sales. According to the research report "South Korea Water Sports Gear Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Water Sports Gear market is anticipated to grow at 5.86% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. Water sports gear is increasingly incorporating smart technology, such as GPS trackers, fitness monitoring features, and connectivity to mobile apps. These innovations cater to tech-savvy consumers who want to track their performance, monitor conditions, and stay connected while engaging in water activities. South Korean manufacturers are at the forefront of innovation in water sports gear technology. They continuously develop and refine gear designs, materials, and production techniques to enhance performance, durability, and safety. Innovations include lightweight paddleboards, hydrodynamic wetsuits, and advanced paddle designs for kayaking and SUP. There is a growing demand for water sports gear made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials. South Korean consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious, and they prefer gear that minimizes the environmental impact. Manufacturers are responding by producing gear using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. Customization options are becoming more prevalent in water sports gear. Consumers can order customized surfboards, paddleboards, and other gear tailored to their preferences in terms of design, size, and performance features. More women in South Korea are participating in water sports. This trend has led to a surge in demand for women-specific gear, including wetsuits, swimwear, and paddleboards designed to meet their specific needs and preferences. Indoor water sports facilities, including wave pools and surf parks, are gaining popularity in South Korea's urban areas. These facilities provide a controlled environment for surfing and other water activities, often using specialized equipment. Some water sports gear is being designed to integrate with digital fitness platforms, allowing users to track their performance and compete with others through apps and online communities. Water sports summer camps and programs for children and teenagers are expanding. These programs introduce young participants to various water sports and the necessary gear.

In terms of product type the market is divided into water sports clothes, Boards, Sailboat, Swim Mask & Goggles, Personal Watercraft, Life Jackets , BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), Cylinder & Diving Propulsion Vehicle, Swim Fins, Decompression Chamber, Others (Kayak Accessories, Surfing Accessories, Diving Accessories, Balls, Goal Posts, Water Shoes, Watches, Safety Helmets). Water sports have been gaining popularity in South Korea, driven by a growing interest in activities like surfing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Participants require appropriate clothing designed for water activities, such as wetsuits, rash guards, swimwear, and boardshorts. South Korea has a burgeoning surfing and windsurfing culture, particularly along its coasts. Enthusiasts, both locals and tourists, invest in specialized water sports clothing for comfort and protection against the elements. South Korea experiences varying water temperatures throughout the year. Water sports clothing, including wetsuits and drysuits, helps athletes stay warm and comfortable, extending the water sports season beyond the summer months. South Korea has several beach destinations, such as Busan and Jeju Island that attract tourists. Tourists often engage in water sports and need appropriate clothing, contributing to sales. In addition based on age group the market is divided into adults, kids and geriatric. South Korea is experiencing a significant shift in attitudes toward aging. Older adults are increasingly adopting active and healthy lifestyles, seeking ways to stay physically and mentally fit well into their retirement years. Water sports, such as swimming, water aerobics, and aqua therapy, offer low-impact, joint-friendly exercises that are highly beneficial for older adults. These activities can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Water-based activities are commonly used in rehabilitation and physical therapy programs for older individuals with joint problems, arthritis, or other medical conditions. Water's buoyancy reduces stress on the joints, making it an ideal environment for rehabilitation exercises. In terms of distribution channel, the market is divided into Franchise Store, specialty store, online store, supermarket/hypermarket and others (Resort Shops, Boating and Marine Supply Stores, Direct Sales, Tour Operators, etc.). Specialty stores are often staffed by enthusiasts and experts who have in-depth knowledge about water sports and the gear required. This expertise helps customers make informed decisions, especially important for those new to the sport. Some specialty stores offer fitting rooms or areas where customers can try on gear, such as wetsuits or life jackets, before making a purchase. This ensures proper fit and comfort. Store staff can provide personalized recommendations based on a customer's skill level, body type, and specific needs. This level of customization is especially valuable for beginners. Water sports can be inherently risky, and safety is a paramount concern. Specialty stores prioritize safety gear, such as life jackets and helmets, and educate customers about their importance. Some specialty stores offer additional services, such as equipment rental, repair, and maintenance. These services contribute to customer convenience and loyalty. Some specialty stores organize demo days and events where customers can test out gear before buying. This hands-on experience helps customers make confident purchase decisions. For instance, some of the most popular specialty stores for water sports gear in South Korea include DECATHLON, Blue Earth, Intersport, K2, Emart and many more. Considered in this report: • Geography: South Korea • Historic year: 2017 • Base year: 2022 • Estimated year: 2023 • Forecast year: 2028

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Manmayi Raval

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Aspects covered in this report: • South Korea Water Sports Gear market with its value and forecast along with its segments • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation By Product Type • Water sports Clothes (Surfing Apparel, Swimwear, Diving Suit, Water Polo Swimsuits and Caps) • Boards (Stand-up Paddle Board, Windsurf Boards, Surfing, Body board) • Sailboat • Swim Mask & Goggles (Snorkel, Snorkelling Masks & Diving Mask) • Personal Watercraft • Life Jackets • BCD {Buoyancy Control Device} • Cylinder & Diving Propulsion Vehicle • Swim Fins (Snorkelling Fins & Diving Fins) • Decompression Chamber • Others (Kayak Accessories, Surfing Accessories, Diving Accessories, Balls, Goal Posts, Water Shoes, Watches, Safety Helmets) By Age Group • Adults • Kids • Geriatric

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By Distribution Channel • Franchise Store • Specialty Store • Online Store • Supermarket/Hypermarket • Others (Resort Shops, Boating and Marine Supply Stores, Direct Sales, Tour Operators, etc.) The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience: This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Gems & Jewelry industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.