The outdoor recreation participation base grew 2.3% in 2022 to a record 168.1M participants, or 55% of the U.S. population over the age of 6, according to findings from the 2023 Outdoor Participation Trends Report released yesterday by Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation. The report also found that the new participant base is becoming increasingly more diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, age, and sexual and gender identity.

Among other key findings in the report: At 35% of the base, seniors now represent 1 in every 5 outdoor participants; Participation rate for Hispanic people increased from 34% in 2015 to 56% in 2022; The participation rate for Black people increased more than 5% in 2022 to 40.7%; LGBTQIA+ participants make up 11% of the participant base; 80% of outdoor activity categories experienced growth, including camping, fishing, sport climbing, skateboarding, and hiking; Record growth in the participant base does not translate to participation rates, which are down for the first time since the pandemic, especially amongst “core” and “youth” segments.

A tentative agreement has been reached in West Coast port negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association. The parties have been in negotiations since the labor contract initially expired in July 2022. The agreement is expected to provide stability to the supply chain and assurance to the millions of businesses and employees who rely on smooth and efficient operations from the West Coast ports, said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay. He added, “The West Coast ports are a critical artery for retailers and other businesses into the U.S. market. We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports. It is essential to begin the negotiation process early for the next labor contract and avoid a future lapse in continuity.”

New Balance, which owns five manufacturing facilities in Maine and Massachusetts and is in the process of expanding its factory in Skowhegan, Maine, appears to be preparing to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint further by adding a new 102,418-sq.-ft. factory in Londonderry, NH, according to public documents filed in May by the Boston company.

Zamberlan, the third-generation, family-owned Italian boot brand, announced the hiring of Bob Whip as U.S. General Manager. Whip most recently was General Manager for Cervélo Cycles. He replaces Phil Benson, Zamberlan’s outgoing U.S General Manager, who led the brand for 15 years.

Mark Goldston, the former L.A. Gear and Reebok marketing executive who is currently general partner of luxury athletic footwear firm Athletic Propulsion, has been named Executive Chairman of fitness firm The Beachbody Company.