Press Materials – WSF

Boating Is Safer Than Ever, WSF Reports

U.S. Coast Guard reports boating safety figure improvements in 2021 despite historic growth in new boat ownership. WSF credits increased safety course enrollment. ORLANDO, Fla., August 16, 2022 – The U.S. Coast Guard’s latest 2021 Recreational Boating Statistics Report revealed boating safety improved with a 15.4% drop in the fatality rate per 100,000 registered […]

WSF’s Jim Emmons Talks Boating Safety With The Weather Channel

Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons is interviewed by The Weather Channel

Video Interview: WSF Associate Wins Top National Award for Public Relations Outreach

The Water Sports Foundation launched the first-ever national public relations campaign for recreational boating safety in 2021. Supported by the U.S. Coast Guard and executed by Kenton Smith Marketing, in its inaugural year the program exceeded its outreach goal by nearly ten times. The Sea Tow Foundation honored the program with its National Boating Industry Safety Award […]

Hundreds of Thousands of New Boaters and Paddlers Expected Fourth of July Weekend

Water Sports Foundation offers seven safety tips for sharing waterways with inexperienced boaters ORLANDO, Fla., June 14, 2022 –Millions of boaters are expected to head out on the water this Fourth of July weekend, including more than 830,000 first time boat buyers who purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in crowds coupled with the […]

WSF’s Jim Emmons Live on The Weather Channel

Boating safety education and training has never been more important. Since 2020, more than 830,000 first-time boat owners hit the water many of whom lack safety education and training.

10 Important Tips from the Water Sports Foundation to Keep Boaters Safe this Busy 2022 Boating Season

– Memorial Day is the Traditional Launch to Seasonal Boating Activity – Orlando, Fla, May 4, 2022 – With a 35% increase in new boat ownership and 415,000 new boaters taking to the waterways since 2020, boating participation will reach historic levels of participation this summer, says Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. With […]

As Record Numbers of Paddlers Take to The Water, Accidents Surge

More than one-third of victims had less than 10 hours experience in paddlesports; experts cited lack of safety training as an important contributing factor ORLANDO, Fla. – April 12, 2022 – A record 37.9 million participants engaged in paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding during the pandemic according to the latest data (2020) from […]

Water Sports Foundation Reports Pandemic Spike in Online Boater Education

-National Boating Safety Experts Say the Pandemic Likely Created a Surge in Boater Education and an Unprecedented Shift to Virtual Training- ORLANDO, Fla. – March 16, 2022 – The Water Sports Foundation reports a major surge in boater education enrollment across the nation, marked by new online delivery trends. As the non-profit educational arm of […]

Water Sports Foundation Campaign Wins National Boating Industry Safety Award

Southold, NY, December 8, 2021 – The Sea Tow Foundation and its Boating Safety Advisory Council announced six winners today of their National Boating Industry Safety Awards which recognizes the best boating safety work in the for-profit section of the recreational boating industry. Sponsored for the second year by KICKER Marine Audio, the six top […]

Water Sports Foundation’s Tips for a Fun and Safe Holiday Boat Parade

ORLANDO, Fla. — December 2, 2021 — Whether you’re a spectator or a participant, nighttime boat parades featuring festive lights and creative boat and yacht displays can be one of the most fun and memorable traditions of the entire holiday season. From San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade to the […]

Water Sports Foundation’s Inaugural Boating Safety National Public Relations Outreach Initiative Far Exceeds Expectations

A national public relations campaign by the nonprofit Water Sports Foundation has far exceeded preliminary expectations, generating more than 600 million positive boating safety media impressions over a five-month period, from April – August 2021.

Widespread Increase in Boating Activity and Access to Boating & Education Reported by Water Sports Foundation

Strong Surge Reported in Boat Sales, Shared Boating Platforms and Boating Education ORLANDO, Fla. – July 27, 2021 – When it comes to boating activity, 2020 proved an epic year with the pandemic delivering an upside surprise to the recreational boating industry. People took to the water in historic numbers as a safe escape from […]

How New Technologies and Boater Education Are Saving Lives

As pandemic conditions generated a surge of 415,000 first-time boat buyers in 2020, a 35% increase, recently released U.S. Coast Guard figures indicate a 26% increase in boating accidents, 25% increase in injuries and 25% increase in boating fatalities during the same time period.

WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons Statement Regarding New 2020 USCG Statistics Report

WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons believes that the new 2020 report and statistics are sobering and uphold the long-standing message that the Water Sports Foundation has proffered for years: “Get skills training before you take a boat or paddle craft out on the water.”

Top Boating Tips to Safely Navigate Busy Fourth of July Festivities Including Fireworks Shows, Group Raft-Ups

Throughout the country, boaters are expected to cruise to popular gathering spots this Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, with plans to raft up, drop anchor and swim, enjoy barbeques and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations.

Water Sports Foundation Media Fact Sheet: Boating Safety

Information curated from multiple boating safety stakeholders using most recently published 2019 U.S. Coast Guard Data

12 Top Boating Safety Tips for the Busy Memorial Day Weekend…and Beyond

The pandemic literally saw hundreds of thousands of newcomers join the ranks of first-time boat owners, so we’re taking extra precautions to pro-actively share safe boating strategies

12 consejos para navegar de manera segura el fin de semana del Día de los Caídos … y más (12 Tips for Holiday Boating Safety – Spanish Version)

Con las ventas de barcos nuevos y usados en niveles récord para los compradores de primera vez, organizaciones líderes en la seguridad de la navegación lanzaron una campaña en español con recomendaciones prácticas de seguridad antes de las ajetreadas vacaciones del Día de los Caídos y el inicio de la temporada de navegación de verano.