Feedback to Ocean Paddler TV.

Aloha Ocean Padler TV,

Congratulations to such an awesome innitiative, and I wish all the success on this entrepreneurial project.

The 1st time I saw a production made from you guys was the 2006 Molokai Hoe video, and to be honest I was disappointed with the 'clip' format with too much editing. The folowing year (2007) I thought the video would focus more on the teams, with more time for us spectators to watch the different strokes (Tahitians, Hawaiians, etc.), and the respective paddlers (no.1, 2, 3..., steer), but the video followed tha same format of the previous year.

While watching the new Ocean Paddler TV program on the web, it seems to me that the editing is pretty much the same. The quality of the images are awesome, but we don't have much time to watch the top paddlers performing. The images are cut quickly from one paddler to another.

In order to see the program improve, I would like to recommend some some changes in the program's format. I am not a professional of TV or video production, but as a final consumer I rather watch a race video like the one produced in Tahiti by TNTV covering the Molokai 2006 that is available on the outriggercanoe.ning.com. We can clearly see the teams surfing the bumps, competing against each other, their pace, changes, etc.

Even from the marketing/commercial point of view it would be important to focus on the top teams/paddlers with the aim to create role models for the sport. After all, the crowds and investment are attracted by sport's idols such as Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Beckham, etc. Even in a team sport event such as the Molokai Hoe, spectators would be watching Karel Jr. or David Tepava steering, Bruno Tauhiro, Kai Bartlett or Moana Mairau as faahoro (no.1). Therefore it'd be more appealing for sponsors, media, spectators, etc.

I hope that helps. It's just my humble opinion.
All the best!!!
Kind Regards

Submitted by feirulegui on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 3:58pm



Mahalo for the feedback. I am not the producer, so i will answer you from the marketing side of the show.

Our goal is to make a series that represents all paddlers and not just the top people. Also, our show is meant to have all the different types of paddling, one man, 6 man, sailing canoe, SUP, paddler board etc. The show you are watching on line is mainly 1 man's. Starting next week you will be able to watch the 3rd show on line. It has sailing canoes, 6mans, and an awesome cultural spot. The folks who are watching the show via TV will get to see the 4th show which will start this Tuesday.

The show is nearly sold out. Our advertisers are LOVING it. From a marketing stand point we have to make sure we have a broad scope, the show isnt just about the top guys and gals. If we did that, then they would be the only ones to benifit from being on air, and that would create a whole new can of worms because a lot of people, crews, clubs have sponsors that expect them to get media. Not fair to always give it to the top crews etc.. I do understand what you are saying about Tiger Woods etc. That too makes alot of sense.
Our producer spends alot of time and energy trying to make a show that will last basically 22 minutes into something that pleases the masses and gets them excited about the sport. This will in turn grow the sport and hopefully allow us to then do some specials etc. .

When we do focus's on the top people, crews, clubs, I then get emails asking why we only showed them! It is a fine line.

Bottom line is this, our agenda and purpose is to have a series that makes everyone proud and happy. Feedback like you gave us, will only make us better. Please keep it coming:)
We can only do what we can do, and with help from people like you, we can keep it going for years.

.

BIG mahalos again for the feedback, good or bad we want to hear everything. Your voice will only make us better.

Terry
www.oceanpaddler.tv
terry@oceanpaddler.tv


#1 Sat, 08/02/2008 - 6:27am


I agree it is definitely a fine line in terms of who to show and for how long. I also have to agree that I really appreciate longer clips that let us really see paddling, rather than the quick edits that make it look like an MTV video. In watching the episodes, my opinion is that they are moving in a good direction. I hope they continue to.


#2 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 8:19pm


Mahalo for the reply Kanu 37.

You’re probably right, I understand that covering all paddle sports the audience/market is way bigger, and at the same time all paddle sports are family oriented with paddlers from all ages, sexes and colors.

But on the other hand, when I turn on the TV or computer to watch sports I want to watch the best. Whether is Kely Slater, Michael Phelps, or Lance Armstrong. And the bigger the coverage an athlete has, more sponsors will be willing to invest back on the sport.

Maybe I’m just being selfish focusing on my sport, but as marketing manager, think about how nice would be the coverage for the near future Molokai Hoe 2008 with the kind of format that is being done by TNTV and RFO (including internet) in Tahiti for the Hawaiki Nui Va’a. Focus on the title dispute from start to finish. Just like an IronMan triathlon, Formula One race or Tour de France. I’d be wiiling to pay for a DVD, and it’d be probably easier to justify to last ones why they’re not being shown.

All the best!
Aloha


#3 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 8:34pm


Kanu37, thank you and the entire Ocean Paddler team for an enjoyable program. You all are doing a wonderful job in delivering the sport we all love so much to a broader audience.

The footage is amazing and while I would love to see longer clips eventually, I understand and applaude the current format.

Sponsorship was mentioned more than once above and as I understand it, sponsorship dollars come from viewership. And let's face it, outrigger paddlers are a small demographic by themselves. So, creating a fast-paced, exciting format that may draw viewership from outside the paddling family will do great things for our respective sports.

More viewers lead to more sponsor dollars. More sponsor dollars lead to larger events and more exposure. More exposure leads to more sponsor dollars. More sponsor dollars lead to more product R&D and broader participation. Broader participation leads to more viewership, more viwership leads to more sponsor dollars...

And then we get full-length documentaries and "surf-style" films here in the states with clips as long as our hearts desire because a sufficient base has been developed to make them profitable.

Thank you Ocean Paddler for seeing the potential and getting the ball rolling. I've enjoyed the programs so far and am glad to hear the sponsors are pleased. Keep up the goods work.

(P.S. Kudos on the efforts made to respect the culture as well as the sport.)


#4 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 9:57pm


Six as One - Thank You. You have the concept down!

As much as we would LOVE to concentrate on long, epic surfing shots and hold the edit shot on one canoe for 10 seconds (or even for that occasional 30 second ride - believe us, we would show the entire thing :)... however, the program would be off air, as it would only cater to the hard core paddler.

OUR GOAL is ALSO to make paddling attractive to a more general audience, in the hope of bringing them into the sport... ultimately making the sport grow and become what it is supposed to be: The Hawaii State Sport... then, we could have a live coverage of for instance the Molokai Hoe... 5 or 6 hours of paddling, without tuning the general public out - they would be rooting for their favorite club or paddle star... Hawaii would have their professional teams, travelling and kicking some butt abroad, with the Hawaii audience following their every move - similar to what goes on in Tahiti today, huge State festivals.

We need to give credit to Time Warner (OC-16) for helping build the sport, by supporting this program - also, and most importantly for the future, to the advertisers, sponsors and events who make this production possible - make sure to support them back and saying your Mahalos.

I would like to point out that we only have 22 minutes to feature a diversity of events, lifestyle and cultural activities. Manny and Cliff from PAA took the bull by the horns and produced a DVD just for the hard core paddlers and participants "The Kaiwi 2008 Race Video" - what a great production! .

Thank you for all the support in Ocean Paddler TV!

Aloha,

Alex


#5 Sat, 08/02/2008 - 12:25am


Is there anyway viewers could access the unedited footage w/ the longer shots? Maybe this could also be marketable somehow. Love the shows, though. The solo footage was unreal!


#6 Sat, 08/02/2008 - 6:16am


Yeah you guys have a lot of people to please and for the first ever show like this you guys are killin it. Your show helps motivate me! Mahalo again and again. Im even more stoked that you have lots of viewers and sponsor support so this all sticks around and will keep growing. When six as one mentioned a surf style documentary I got excited thinking about how great that will be. Keep it up!

I only get to watch the online version. Is there a way to get a list of sponsors? So that we can try to throw them support in return??


#7 Sun, 08/03/2008 - 12:05am


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