For the first time in the world, the University of Eastern Finland conducted a study to find out what motivates participants and what kind of experiences they have in fishing competitions.
– There are probably not even five young women. For some reason, there is no interest in competitive fishing. This is something that should be addressed through marketing and the development of different applications.
The University of Eastern Finland has studied the spending and experiential values of participants in fishing competition trips. This is the first time that motivating factors for participants have been studied.
Research focusing on the motivation of participants in fishing competitions and the analysis of the experiences they expect from competitions has not been done before, even in the world.
Competitors want the arrangements to be fair and work. For example, maintaining physical and mental health is also important for those participating in fishing competitions.
Iida Issakainen, who is part of the ice skating team, already has three PM medals.
– It’s great to get a catch. Important things are the excitement of the competition and acquaintances from all over Finland. New places and experiences, the whole, lists Issakainen.
Fishing competition is a sport
The lakes are big and the races are long – they last up to four hours.
– You can’t have fun in one hole for long if the fish don’t eat. In that, you have to take off most of your clothes and hurry to find a new place, says the high school graduate.
Ice skating is anything but sitting alone in front of a small hole and waving your wrist. A heavy auger must be carried along. A hole is created in 30 seconds at best, and the line cannot be reeled in leisurely, because the rush to catch fish is intense.
– Yes, it’s about sports, says Issakainen with a smile.
Also according to the research, maintaining physical and mental health is important for those participating in fishing competitions.
– It clearly emerged that the competitors want the arrangements to be fair and functional.
In addition, those who travel to a foreign place for competitions appreciate the beautiful and peaceful nature.
According to Sun, the research results provide important information for competition organizers.
– When you know what the competitors value, it is easier for the event organizers to succeed and it will probably result in the competitors coming next year as well, Suni states.
Going fishing with friends or family – Iida’s father goes with her
Fishing competitions already have tourism and economic importance in Finland. According to the report, the participants spend about 250 euros per person per day on the overnight competition trip.
– We’re talking about the top ten. Money goes to equipment, accommodation, trips and everything else.
In fishing, competition is also held in trolling, casting and fly fishing, pier fishing and angling.
Participants of national and international competitions bring income to the organizing towns, especially from the sale of accommodation and catering services.
According to research on fishing competition tourism, fishing competitions are most often taken with a group of friends or family members.
– My father pulled me onto the ice with a stick when I was very young. Ice skating is our shared hobby, and I have sometimes beaten my father, Iida Issakainen with a smile.
A lack of volunteers and a stagnating fishing hobby
Fishing competitions already have economic significance for the organizing locality, but there could be more potential.
The problem is that fishing competitions are just as difficult as many other sporting events.
Fishing circles have shrunk and it is difficult to attract new competitive fishing enthusiasts. You don’t want to find a team to organize big competitions.
– This is the question, whether the size of the events can be increased. More income is possible from big events.