The lack of core divers is growing problem For Dive Centres in Canada.
The Scuba Diving industry is in the midst of a serious problem - a lack of "core" divers. Core divers are the divers who dive regularly, often multiple times a week. They are the divers who buy most of the gear, and who support the businesses that make scuba diving possible.
The problem is that, as the diving population ages, the competition for leisure time is fierce which is resulting in fewer and fewer core divers. Young people don't seem as interested in diving as the previous generation. As a result, the diving industry is facing a demographic crisis.
If the industry is going to survive, it needs to find a way to attract young people to the sport, and give them reasons to stay with it. But that's easier said than done. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the challenges the industry is facing, and some possible solutions.
What are core scuba divers?
A core scuba diver is a diver who dives regularly and considers scuba diving an important part of his or her life. They are the divers who buy most of the gear, and who support the businesses that make scuba diving possible. Core divers are passionate about the sport and often have deep knowledge and understanding of the equipment, safety protocols, and dive sites. They often dive multiple times a week, and may even travel to other countries to dive. Core divers often have the most experience and professional certifications, and have had a lot of influence on the public which makes them great ambassadors for the scuba diving industry.
The importance of core divers
The scuba diving industry is heavily dependent on the support of core divers. Core divers are the divers who dive regularly, often multiple times a week. They are the divers who buy most of the gear, and who support the businesses that make scuba diving possible. Without core divers, the industry would struggle to survive.
Core divers tend to be the most experienced and knowledgeable about Scuba and are great ambassadors for the sport. They help bring in new divers by teaching skills, setting up dive trips, and sharing their knowledge.
Core divers often act as divemasters, instructors, and dive charters, helping to promote and grow the sport. Additionally, they often work to protect the environment, from cleaning up beaches and reefs to organizing beach and dive cleanups.
The scuba diving industry is suffering from a lack of core divers
The fact that the scuba diving industry is suffering from a lack of core divers is no surprise. As the population ages, the number of core divers is declining, and the industry is struggling to attract new, younger divers. What's worse, the current generation of divers isn't as passionate about the sport as the previous one. As a result, they're less likely to become core divers. This is especially true of younger divers, who often view scuba diving as an expensive hobby, rather than a passionate lifestyle.
To turn this trend around, scuba stores, and dive centers, need to invest in programs and strategies to attract, nurture, and retain younger divers. This includes leveraging programs like Discover Scuba Diving or free introduction to scuba events, or discounted scuba training packages, creating mentorship programs that pair experienced divers with newbies, and encouraging local dive shops to organize dives specifically tailored to the interests of youth.
The industry should also pay close attention to market trends in order to determine what types of scuba trips, gear, and activities would best attract younger generations. Most importantly, the industry must do its best to show younger generations that scuba diving is still a thrilling, passionate, and adventurous activity.
Developing core scuba divers
The first step in reversing the decline in core divers is to identify and engage with them. This can be done through social media, e-mail marketing, online marketing, word-of-mouth, sponsored local events geared towards entry-level divers, as well as re-activating divers who have dropped off.
It's important for all professional-level divers to reach out to these divers, not just to build an audience, but to build relationships and foster a sense of community, inclusiveness, and purpose which will lead to loyalty.
Be active through open and honest conversation, mentoring, online forums and social media platforms, workshops and seminars, and guidance. By opening up lines of communication and providing advice and support, divers can learn from each other, support each other, and develop a trusting and reliable foundation to build their experiences on. They can also share resources and helpful tips that can benefit the entire community. This, in turn, creates a more educated, safer, and diverse diving population.
These core divers need to feel that they are part of a larger diving community. The more connected they feel, the more likely they are to become regular customers. Once you have identified them, it's important to find ways to engage, and continuously communicate with them and make them feel valued.
Giving your core divers a platform
In order to encourage core divers to become long-term customers, it's important to give them a platform, and they need to feel valued and appreciated. This could include offering discounts on gear and trips, or creating a forum or online community to foster a sense of connection. It's also important to provide opportunities for learning, growth, and recognition in the sport.
Your core scuba divers are your advocates
Your core divers are the best advocates for your scuba business. They are the ones who will spread the word about your business and recommend it to others. As such, as I have mentioned but is worth repeating, it's important to make them feel appreciated and valued. Offer them special deals and discounts, and be sure to recognize and reward their loyalty.
To wrap things up
The scuba diving industry is suffering from a lack of core divers, and this poses a serious threat to the long-term viability of the industry. To tackle this problem, the industry needs to find a way to attract younger divers and turn them into core divers.
The key to this is to identify, engage, and reward the core divers. Give them a platform to build relationships and foster a sense of loyalty. And, most importantly, make them feel appreciated and valued. By doing this, the industry will be able to attract the next generation of core divers and ensure the future of the sport.
If you are looking for help with growing your business's online presence and influence get with My Web Pros Digital, owned and operated by PADI Course Director Larry Wedgewood. They help businesses thrive online!