March 7, 2005

Scribbled on the back of a bar napkin, the idea of producing Canada’s best paddling magazine has turned into a real success story for one young couple.

Six years ago, Scott and Tanya MacGregor took their idea and established Rapid Magazine Inc. in their community of Palmer Rapids.  Since then, Rapid Magazine Inc. has grown into a cutting-edge media company publishing three paddling magazines, Rapid, Adventure Kayak, and Canoeroots, which boast the largest circulation of paddle sports publications in Canada.  Not only is the magazine company a personal success for the MacGregors, it also has had a positive impact on the community of Palmer Rapids and other rural communities that benefit from paddle sports tourism.  Since its inception, Rapid Magazine Inc. has created five full-time employment positions and now offers a number of youth intern positions for the residents of Palmer Rapids.  It also provides opportunities for 118 paddling photographers and freelance writers to showcase their work.

As for the impact on rural tourism, the magazines include feature articles on area rivers, such as the Ottawa River.  The feature articles promote the rivers to paddle sport enthusiasts, which can generate tourism for those rural communities featured in the articles.

In 2000, Rapid Magazine Inc. needed working capital to grow.  It received an operating loan of $25,000 from the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, payable over five years.  The company’s success led to the loan being repaid in full in 2002, two years earlier than the end of the term – and the business continues to grow.

Published four times a year, Rapid targets Canadian whitewater kayakers and canoeists.  It highlights exciting rivers, features equipment reviews, instructional how-to articles, up-to-date news, and paddle sport event coverage.  With growing interest in Canada, Rapid experienced a 31 per cent increase in subscriptions in 2004.  Kayak enthusiasts subscribe to Kayak Adventure for its editorials, human-interest stories and lifestyle focus.  Targeted to healthy and active baby boomers, Kayak Adventure focuses on the largest and fastest growing group of paddlers in Canada and boasts the largest distribution of any kayak touring publication.

Canoeroots is Canada’s only canoeing magazine, targeting the 1.9-million Canadian canoe enthusiasts.  It promotes the beauty of canoe travel and features an easy to use buyer’s guide, a useful resource for sales reps, retailers, instructors and consumers.  Aside from the three paddling lifestyle magazines, Rapid Magazine Inc. maintains an interactive website where people can read current and past editions of the magazines, subscribe to the three publications, participate in discussion threads, view job postings and read about paddling events across Canada.

With 2.3-million Canadian paddle sport consumers, there is a growing interest in paddle sports, and Rapid Magazine Inc. circulation is increasing each year.  As it grows, so does its influence on rural communities, with more tourism dollars coming into towns and villages affected by paddle sports.  Indeed, the idea scribbled on a bar napkin has come a long, successful way in such a short time.