Investigation About Doing Surfboard Business in International Markets

Investigation about doing surfboard business in international markets[pic 1]

1. Countries where use surfboard.

There are numerous countries using or having potential to use surfboard:

First, America.Hawaii and California in America are good places for surfing, the seawater, sea-wave and sea-view are all good, and the altitude of the sea-wave is up to 8 meters, which is beneficial for surfing.Many American and foreign surfers or tourist like to go there, thus, the surfboard business has chance to sell them surfboard.

Second, Jeffreys Bay in South-Africa. It is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world. On occasions with large wave sizes, wide-breaking waves and even swells, surfers can ride over 1000 meters long. The wave there is not only fast, but also powerful and consistent. Apart from being a popular surfing destination, Jeffreys Bay is also famous for its blue flag beaches and for hosting annual Billabong-Pro-WCT surfing event in every July.

Third,Indonesia. The Mentawai islands in Indonesia are a wave-rich chain of about 70 islands and islets off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, one of the most consistent surf destinations in the world. And Bali in Indonesia is a globally famous tourist attraction and a great place for surfers too. With the swells coming from the Southern Ocean, Bali sees consistent waves up to 12 feet high, from April to November.

Fourth, Hainan in China.The RiYue Bay in Hainan is the best place for surfing in China, the seawater is clear and temperature is suitable, the climate is good all around the year. Even in winter, the sea-wave is surging.

Fifth, South-west France.The South-west coast in France is a suitable place for surfing. Many international tourists go there to surf; besides, they can also enjoy the scrumptious wine and feel the ancient and romantic culture in France.

Sixth, Portugal.Caparica beaches are Atlantic beaches located on Portugal's Almada  coast. The beach has good conditions for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Besides, The International Surf Center is situated there.

1. Countries that have a large market segment that uses surfboard.

Among the six countries above, America, South-Africa and China have relatively large potential market segment that uses surfboard.

For America, it is a developed country with high per-capita income, which means American have ability to buy surfboard. Besides, surfing is popular in America because Americans generally love free, challenging and exciting sports and lifestyle, most of them like to challenge themselves and they are generally interested in advanced technology (for example, the fin-positioning surfboard made in Australia where citizens are very good at surfing), this increases the probability of selling our surfboard to American. Meanwhile,as California and Hawaii are “surfing heaven”, all potential buyers in America can be divided into tourists, surfing sportsmen, amateurs and seaside dwellers, but the most potential buyers in America tend to be foreign tourists and all surfing amateurs from wherever (including American surfers), because foreign tourists want to try surfing in such “surfing heaven”, and all surfing amateurs like to surf in California and Hawaii where natural conditions are good for surfing.

For South-Africa, its development is increasingly good and is closer and closer to developed country, people there have relatively high income and can afford surfboard. Same as America, surfing is prevalent in South-Africa as well, so there is large demand for surfboard. People in South-Africa love surfing very much; they hold different kinds of surfing competitions to challenge themselves, therefore, new surfboard with new fin-positioning design would attract them. The most potential buyers in South-Arica are surfing amateurs and sportsmen because South-Arica is suitable for surfing, where attracts surfing amateurs to go, and sportsmen absolutely need a safer and more advanced surfboard with new fin-positioning design to improve reaction time.

For China, it is a developing country but with better and better development. Although per-capita income is not quite high, it is always increasing, more Chinese will be able to afford surfboard in future. Besides, Chinese have increased awareness of sports and health, although surfing is not popular in China now, more and more Chinese will try and like it in future because it helps to lose weight and keep healthy. Moreover, due to increased population in China, Chinese are facing fiercer competition and higher pressure, thus, such a challenging and exciting sport—surfing would be a good way to help them relax. Also, many young Chinese people want to challenge themselves, so surfing will be popular among those young people in future.Finally, near some beaches in China, there are an increasing number of Chinese surfers, therefore there will be more Chinese surfing amateurs in future, and they will become a large market segment. Consider elements above, the new surfboard should have large potential market in China.

1. Profile of potential client groups in global market.

For America, firstly, the language used is English, a common and official business language, which reduces language barriers in doing international business. Secondly, 76% Americans today are Christians. However, In 1820, Christianityconsidered surfing as an entertainment which could reduce people’s ambitions when people indulged in it; thus, surfing was not popular in America until 1898 in which American government held the sovereignty of Hawaii and promoted surfing culture. Thirdly, business ethics are important. America has strict regulation for product safety and quality.Thus, when doing surfing business in America, raw material and design of surfboard must be safe, humanized and have no harm for customers. American customers are sensitive about unethical business behaviors; therefore, occurrence of any unethical behaviors can cause failure in American market. Besides, America signed free trade agreement with Australia in 2004; therefore, it is easier for American to accept and like Australian surfboards. The negotiation style in America is formal, and there are professional dispute settlement panels to resolve business disputes and sound laws to protect intellectual property. These all help with doing surfing business in America and acceptance of the surfboard.

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