UX Project: Research
Process
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After conducting in-person test interviews, a general survey was developed to elicit a series of responses from the paddling community ranging from age, personal experience and ability levels to motivations, development challenges and communication habits. The purpose of these questions was to gain insight to some of the reasons people started paddling, why they continue to do so, and what might help them elevate their experience and create a stronger connection to the sport.
Results
Key Demographic Findings
I was very pleased to get a total of 39 individuals to take the survey over a span of 24 hours, and was even more pleased to read the diversity in their written answers to some of the key questions. What was perhaps more surprising (but reaffirming in regards to the scope of the project) was that there was less diversity in terms of demographics. The vast majority of respondents said they lived within Vancouver (29) and more than half (21) were between the ages of 18–23. There was a fairly even balance in terms of gender throughout and all but one had said they have a smart phone.
A key factor in the range of data was my network of contacts — which limited the demographic range. I would have preferred to have more answers from across the age spectrum. There are a large number of local paddlers in their 40's, 50's, 60's and even 70's!
Key Differentiating Findings
In terms of written answers, there was an overwhelming theme of networking or community with the words ‘friendship’ (24), ‘meeting new people’ (3) or a family member (4) being mentioned as their motivation for starting to paddle. The next biggest reasons were ‘keeping fit’(7) or ‘fitness’ (1), followed by ‘trying a team sport’ (7), ‘try something new’ (2) or for ‘fun’ (2). Note: Many individuals mentioned multiple reasons which is why it adds up to more than 39.
In describing their overall experience in the sport and community since they began paddling, 36 individuals submitted extremely positive responses using terms like ‘life-changing’ to describe it. While 2 respondents explained they had many ups and downs throughout and 1 actually said they did not like paddling at all, but they liked the people. These findings are important as they illustrate how important the community is in the development of their experiences.
All of the data collect was instrumental in shifting the overall direction of the project from a peer-to-peer mentorship and training partner goal, to creating a platform where the entire community had a role and could come together in the capacity that best suited them.
Competitive Analysis
In addition to recommendations from friends and family, there are three main websites for information regarding dragon boat and outrigger club paddling in Vancouver:
- Dragon Zone Paddling Club: providing information for corporate programs, finding a team, drop-in sessions, workshops, team benefits, fees, waivers, school/youth programs, rules and upcoming races.
Mobile friendly: No
Login: account via email - False Creek Racing Canoe Club: providing information for programs (dragon boat, outrigger, sprint canoe, youth programs, memberships, finding teams, orientations, personal boat storage, reservations, events, news, forums and a recruiting centre.
Mobile friendly: Yes
Login: account via email - dragonboatwest.net: general forum with announcements, news, paddler profiles, racers village, recruiting centre, tack board, general discussion, classifieds.
Mobile: No
Login: account via email — moderator approval required
While each of the above do serve a purpose, in most cases they suffer from trying to do too much and each one is a barrier for the users of the other when it comes to recruiting or finding teams. For example: the two club-related websites require that your team be a registered member of that club in order be qualified to attract potential paddlers. Paddlers would have to visit both sites in order to look for teams. While dragonboatwest.net doesn’t have any club related barriers, it is the most out-of-date site and posts get buried easily.
That’s three username + password combinations for three different accounts for one purpose. Not very efficient.
