The Irish surfer's journal : a feasibility study

Résumé du document

The term culture refers to "the meanings that people learn from and share with each other" (MacPherson, Curtis & Loy 1989 p249). Basically, surf culture can be described as the people, language, fashion and sporting life. For the last few years the surfers population is growing all around Ireland; there are about 5000 surfers in the country (figures from the Irish Surfing Association / www.isasurf.ie). For instance; the number of schools and surf shops all along the 3500 miles coastline shows that there is an important development in this area. In 2004, a water sport magazine called "Fins", covered different subjects concerning Surfing, Windsurfing and Kite surfing. Surf culture is growing all around the Irish coast; the surfing business is relatively recent and is on the rise.

Extraits

[...] Also the female segment of the surfers market which is still in the developing stages. For instance, one magazine is dedicated to this community; “SurfGirl”, edited by Louise Searle and first published in 2002. This magazine is packages with Carve (English surf mag) and have to compete with other women's magazines which are more fashionable and up to date, but women do surf in the winter too, and the demand for this kind of journal will be there soon.That's why,“The Irish Surfer's Journal”could include special pages for female surfers. [...]

[...] Ten years ago you'd have been told you were mad if you'd said the sport had enough room for six titles." Nowadays, surfing is expanding in every country even in Ireland," (Alex Dick-Read, editor of The Surfer's Path), a Permanent Publishing title printed on 100 per cent recycled paper. The standard of Irish surfers keeps going up, and more and more people are taking to the water. The demand means that there is enought room for six issues a year of the new Irish Surfer's Journal. Moreover, this journal could be published in the UK or even US. [...]

[...] - The Independent website / http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article329850.ece The website was accessed the 11 November 2007 Appendix Surfing : is a surface water sport in which the participant is carried along the face of a breaking wave, most commonly using a surfboard. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing). Windsurfing : is a surface water sport using a windsurf board, also commonly called a sailboard, usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing). Kitesurfing : also known as kiteboarding, involves using a power kite to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard wakeboard-like board). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing). [...]

[...] The Irish surfer's journal : a feasibility study Index Introduction Project concept The idea How am I connected to this idea ? Why is it a viable business venture ? Target market and customers Strength and Weakness of the market Factors limiting the product development 5 a. A main competitor 5 b. Little market Factors favouring the product development 6 a. The Surf; sport on the move 6 b. A good network of surf club Nature of that industry Suppliers Dealers 8 Conclusion : executive sumarry 8 Bibliography 9 Webography 9 Appendix 10 Introduction The term culture refers to "the meanings that people learn from and share with each other" (MacPherson, Curtis & Loy 1989 p249). [...]

[...] They adopt the surfer's image and culture just by wearing the Quicksilver brand. At the same time, a percentage of the people who buy these surf magazines are not surfers. Some of them just have a general interest in the sport and want to be aware about what's happens in contests, discover the sport or just learn what is the latest new clothes and surf accesories (sunglasses, shoes.etc). Surf is a sport which represents the liberty and a true attitude. [...]