After a spike in demand for outdoor recreation equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, sporting goods stores in Ottawa and the Outaouais say business is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Businesses selling equipment including bicycles, kayaks, canoes, golf clubs and even home fitness equipment like dumbbells and barbells saw unprecedented demand during the early phase of the pandemic.
This demand, combined with supply chain issues, meant that many items were out of stock for months.
“It got very busy very quickly,” said Bill Burton, who works at Ottawa Valley Canoe & Kayak. “Demand has skyrocketed.”
Bill Burton of Ottawa Valley Canoe & Kayak says demand “jumped” at the start of the pandemic as families struggled to find activities amid the lockdowns. (Alexander Bene/CBC)
With travel complicated and often burdensome during the pandemic, and with summer camps and other activities for children and youth at a standstill, families flush with unspent vacation money have turned to nature, Burton said.
Demand decreases as restrictions are lifted
This year, however, the frenzy for shopping for outdoor sports goods is waning.
“It’s like the gold rush,” he explained. “The gold rush was great, but it has calmed down.”
Vicky Schouten worried about the future of her business at the start of the pandemic, but instead found herself “sold out of almost everything.” (Alexander Bene/CBC)
Vicky Schouten, owner of Expéditions Wakefield, nestled on the banks of the Gatineau River, has had a similar experience with her business.
At first, she feared she would struggle to stay afloat as businesses closed in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Instead, she saw an unexpected spike in business.
“We’ve gone from being very nervous about the future to trying to manage people’s expectations,” she said. “The first summer [of the pandemic] we basically sold out of almost everything.”
Supply shortages continue
Schouten added that while demand remains strong for paddle board, canoe and kayak rentals, sales of those items have begun to slow.
“A year ago you couldn’t buy a canoe, kayak or paddle board,” she said. “There are some available now.”
Bicycles and bicycle parts are a different story, and Schouten said he expects the shortage to continue for at least another year.
The same situation is just south in Chelsea, Ky.
Tim van Dyk, director of alpine ski racing at Kunstadt Sports, said the local chain’s Chelsea location had seen demand go “through the roof” as early pandemic lockdowns left people with few leisure options other than to explore nature.
Now things have reached a “plateau,” van Dyk said.
Kunstadt Sports’ Tim van Dijk says ongoing supply issues leave his business “at the mercy of the global supply chain”. (Alexander Bene/CBC)
He points out that the region’s poor early summer weather contributed. There are few good days for cycling, the region’s most popular activity during the summer months.
The difficulty in obtaining inventory forced van Dyck to plan much further ahead than before.
“We anticipate two years to secure these stocks,” he said. “[It’s] a huge challenge.”
To make up for the supply shortage, van Dyke said the Chelsea location has increased its focus on bike service.
Technician Austin Upper works on a bike at Kunstadt Sports in Chelsea, Que. The shop has increased its focus on service and repairs as the supply of new bikes has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. (Alexander Bene/CBC)
Interest in group activities is restored
Although the demand for new equipment may have decreased, interest in nature exploration remains robust and the desire for group activities is increasing.
Rob Burnfield, president of the Ottawa Outdoor Club, says membership is returning to pre-pandemic numbers as people feel comfortable participating in group activities again. (Alexander Bene/CBC)
The Ottawa Outdoor Club organizes a variety of activities for its members, including canoeing, cycling, skating on the Rideau Canal and even city walks.
Rob Burnfield, the club’s president, said he expects roughly 200 members per year on average. That number dropped to roughly 100 during the pandemic, he added, but is now recovering.
“Our numbers are definitely up again,” he said. “We have people who are young, people who are old … People seem to really enjoy it.”
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