ClickZ Water Sports Newsletter - 09.05.2024

Up for a mountain biking experience—on water?

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ClickZ
September 05, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Heavy rainstorms on Friday and Saturday turned the Seine River into a bacterial soup, forcing organizers to postpone the Paralympic triathlon events scheduled for Sunday. The Paris 2024 organising committee and World Triathlon, in a joint statement, announced that the 11 para triathlon events are now tentatively set for Monday, pending further water quality tests.

This isn't the first time the Seine has thrown a wrench into the works. The men's individual triathlon during the Paris Olympics was also delayed due to high E. coli levels, and several test swims were canceled. Some Olympic triathletes even fell ill after taking a dip, though it's still up in the air whether the river was to blame.

Paris has been on a mission to clean up the Seine for public swimming, a grand promise ahead of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics. But with each rainfall, the river seems to laugh in the face of these efforts, sending wastewater and runoff into its depths and raising bacteria levels.

USA Swimming's National Team Director Lindsey Mintenko is leaving, creating a high-profile vacancy. The role is expected to revert to a veteran coach, with names like David Marsh, Jack Bauerle, and Gregg Troy being considered. The position demands extensive travel and experience, with a focus on revitalizing USA Swimming's performance.

WIRED

The Hydroflyer electric hydrofoil, priced at $15,990, offers a thrilling, mountain bike-like experience on water. Despite challenging conditions, it proved reliable and exhilarating. With features like a sturdy handlebar and safety mechanisms, it appeals to affluent enthusiasts. Future models aim for broader accessibility and potential commuter use.

Georgia Tech unveiled a $1.4 million renovated locker room for its Swimming and Diving teams, funded by donors and letterwinners. The state-of-the-art facility includes modern visual displays, 78 lockers, new coaches' areas, and upgraded restrooms. Interim Head Coach John Ames praised the renovations, enhancing the program's future outlook.

Adaptive surfing in the UK offers people with disabilities the chance to experience surfing through specialized coaching and equipment. This inclusive sport promotes physical and mental health benefits, fosters community, and challenges societal norms. Key programs include The Wave Project, Surfability UK, SurfABLE Scotland, and South Shields Surf.

Surfability UK CIC

Industry Appetisers 🥨

The 2024 Paris Olympics were not just a showcase of athletic prowess but also a fashion spectacle, with numerous athletes doubling as luxury brand ambassadors. This trend highlights the growing intersection between sports and high fashion, where athletes like French swimmer Leon Marchand, who won four gold medals, represent Louis Vuitton.

American sprinter Noah Lyles, who secured gold in the 100 meters, is another example, endorsing Omega. His journey from a gymnast to a top sprinter, overcoming personal challenges, adds depth to his brand appeal. Similarly, French athlete Sasha Zhoya, who tied for third in the 110m hurdles, represents Dior, blending his athletic achievements with high fashion.

Other notable mentions include French-Polynesian surfer Kauli Vaast, who won gold in surfing and endorses Dior, and Italian fencer Rossella Fiamingo, who has represented Dior and Nike.

Performance Platters 🍽️

In August 2024, TikTok and Amazon teamed up for a seamless shopping experience directly within the TikTok app. This timely partnership, coming just before the Q4 shopping season, leverages TikTok's massive user base and Amazon's e-commerce dominance.

But how will it impact brands?

A major challenge for brands is measuring the halo impact of social media interactions on Amazon sales, as Amazon's data exists in a walled garden and relies on a last-click attribution model, potentially overlooking external contributions that drives product discovery.

The partnership highlights the need for more holistic marketing measurement solutions as the line between social media and e-commerce blurs.

Google's digital ad revenue is growing rapidly, outpacing Microsoft's. In 2024, Google's US ad revenues are projected to hit $77.49 billion, driven by its search dominance. However, a US ruling against Google's search monopoly could shift market dynamics. Marketers should consider investing in leading search platforms.

Richard Bell, President of UntilGone, leverages AI tools like Google Gemini and Google Cloud for Retail to enhance product descriptions, personalized emails, and search functionalities. These innovations have significantly boosted efficiency, customer engagement, and revenue, demonstrating the transformative power of AI in ecommerce.

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