Spatial Differentiation of the Personal Profile of Polish Sailors

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to describe and present different personal types of Polish sailors (behavior, habits, preferences), treating this form of leisure activities unequally. Sailing in Poland is becoming an increasingly popular and accessible form of recreation and sport every year. The environmental conditions of northern Poland predispose to practice this form of activity not only Poles, but also visitors from abroad. The following work is the result of a nationwide survey conducted by the Polish Yachting Association (PYA), as well as a consequence of the Author's committed research among Polish and German sailors of a smaller area, i.e. the transboundary area of the Szczecin Lagoon. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used a triangulation of methods, using as much data as possible from different sources and cross-checking them. The quantitative study used the CAWI survey method, through which 800 responses were received. The qualitative study used focus group interviews (FGI), individual in-depth interviews (IDI) and additionally used the observation method. Findings: observations and qualitative research indicate a great diversification of the personal profile, inside the seemingly homogeneous community of sailors. It is not only the nationality element that determines the diversity of personality types that have been characterized in the international waters of the Szczecin Lagoon. Other socio-demographic factors (including age, gender, education level, income, family size) also influence the behavior, habits and recreational preferences of respondents. The conducted research effect was a division into several categories of boaters generally named as: experienced boaters, young boaters, partner boaters, recreational boaters. Practical implications: First of all, the sailing community was segmented, a seemingly homogeneous group of participants in this form of activity. Several clearly characterized groups of people engaged in recreation and sailing sports were obtained. Learning about the habits and preferences of boaters should find its outlet in the marina construction and expansion projects implemented in such a way as to meet their expectations. Originality/Value: Focusing on an innovative way of presenting the not-quite-structured sailing environment. Using quantitative and qualitative methods to unveil the boating environment. Initiating primary statistical research in this type of dispersed and ephemeral group of respondents.