National Boat Safety Week

May 19-25, 2012

May 19-25, 2012 has been proclaimed National Boating Safety Week. As a part of this safety effort, the National Safe Boating Council is focusing on its “Wear It” campaign, which is designed to encourage boaters to wear a personal floatation device while on the water. State law in Virginia requires children under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket at all times and requires every boat to have a personal floatation device for each adult or child over 12 in an accessible area. It may just be the thing that saves your life.

According to 2010 statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard, of the 484 boaters who drowned, only 57 were confirmed to have been wearing a life jacket.  In the end, while a life jacket may not be the most stylish thing to wear and may cause unwanted tan lines, it’s an easy step to take to help ensure your safety. So the next time you head out on a boat, WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET.

Think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its better to wear it and not need it than to need it and not be wearing it!

TBF Virginia Youth Program consist of youth fishing clubs throughout the state. Currently, the state has four districts: Lake Anna/Potomac District, James River/Chick River District, Gaston/Buggs Island District and South Houlston/Smith Mountain Lake District. Each district holds qualifing tournaments and youth anglers between the ages of 11-18 qualify to advance to the State Championship held in May of each year. The winner from each age group 11-14 and 15-18 advance to the National Guard Junior World Champsionship held in conjuction with the Forrest Wood Cup in August of each year!

2012 Richmond Fishing Expo

Reel Kids Casting Competition

Youth Director Tim Mick gets a warm welcome at the National Guard Pizza Party at the TBF Youth World Championship.

2011 Fall Junior 6 Man at Lake Gaston was a great success!

Zachary Francis wins 2011 Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Arkansas.

Virginia Anglers Junior Roberts and Tanner Blanks win Northern Division High School Championship

Nick Bodsford and Zachary Francis win 2011 State Championship on James River