What is local PR?
Local PR is all about getting your station featured in newspapers, blogs, and news channels in your area. It is about sharing interesting stories with journalists so they write about your business.
Kayakomat HQ already works on PR by preparing press releases that you as an operator can use. It is easy to take action locally by reaching out to newspapers, radio stations or influencers in your region.
On a central level, we occationally send out press releases nation wide. You might then be contacted by a journalist.
How can PR help grow your business?
- Free promotion – a news article about your station reaches thousands of potential customers
- Credibility – people trust the media, so being featured makes your station look professional and reliable
- More bookings – local exposure brings in new customers who may not have heard of Kayakomat before.
Get started with PR
Step 1 : Identify newsworthy topics
Journalists are looking for interesting stories. Here are some angles they might like :
- New station opening – announce the opening of your station
- Special events and collaborations – partnering with a local business ? organising an event ? tell the journalists !
- Community impact – how is your station bringing tourism and fun to your town ?
Step 2 : Contact local media
- FInd local newspapers, blogs, radio stations and TV channels in your area
- Email or call journalists and introduce yourself
- Offer a clear story about your station
Step 3 : Be ready for media attention
- If a journalist contacts you, be prepared ! Watch our mini-course on media training, where PR expert Karin Pontén shares essential tips on handling interviews
Want personalized PR advice? Reach out – we’re here to help!
Be prepared for tricky questions:
Ensuring customer safety is of the highest importance to us. Our kayaks are specifically chosen for being beginner-friendly and very stable, significantly reducing the risk of capsizing.
Before booking, all users must read and accept our clear safety guidelines. These are available on our website and must be acknowledged during the booking process – meaning we can guarantee every customer has seen them. Life jackets are provided with each kayak and are mandatory to wear.
In the safety instructions we advise paddlers to:
Never paddle alone,
Stay close to shore if inexperienced,
Always adapt to weather and water conditions,
Paddle within their skill level.
Our aim is to make kayaking more accessible, while maintaining a high level of safety through a smart and self-service concept. In many ways, we have more control over safety adherence than traditional kayak rentals – especially when it comes to wearing a life vest and reading safety instructions.
Last year, over 100,000 people rented from KAYAKOMAT locations across Europe – with no major incidents reported.
A last point to mention can be hat recreational paddling has a significantly higher safety level compared to cycling or riding an electric scooter—activities that are widely available through self-service rentals and often do not include a helmet. In contrast, we do include a life jacket.
Possible to add:
They are “sit-on-top” kayaks, meaning the paddler is not enclosed in a cockpit (as with traditional kayaks). This design makes it easy to get back on the kayak from the water, and eliminates the risk of getting trapped.
OR
They have large cock pits, meaning the paddler is not enclosed in the cockpit
The kayaks are stable and suitable for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers. Life jackets are provided in each kayak and must be worn. You should not paddle alone, adapt to the weather and to your level of knowledge. For example, paddle close to shore if you are not used to it;
If an accident occurs at your station and you are contacted by the media, it is important to refer to Point65, Richard Öhman. Richard’s mobile number is 070 756 33 26. Keep the call as short as possible; don’t take any hooks to say anything anyway, but refer firmly:
“You’ll have to take that with you Richard” “Sorry, you’ll have to ask Richard”
If an accident happens at your station and you are contacted by the media, it is important to refer to KAYAKOMAT’s owner, Richard Öhman.
Richard’s mobile phone number is +46(0)70 756 33 26. Keep the call as short as possible; don’t bite any hooks to say anything anyway, but refer firmly:
“You’ll have to take that with you Richard” “Sorry, you’ll have to ask Richard”
Point 65, the company behind KAYAKOMAT, has been renting out kayaks manually for 15 years and has never had any problems with theft or vandalism. Those who rent do so because they want to go out paddling, and the risk of them not returning the equipment is as small as with a manual hire. We also have the possibility to charge a customer who does not follow the rules;
Kayaks are bulky items to steal and resell.
