Tag Archives: Jim Emmons

Over 37 million participants engaged in paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding during the pandemic according to the latest data (2020) from the Outdoor Foundation. This pandemic surge brought an estimated 2.5 million new paddlers to American waterways. However, it increased accidents to 331 and fatalities to a record high 202 – accounting for more than 26% of all ...

The Water Sports Foundation reported a major surge in boater education enrollment across the nation, marked by new online delivery trends. As the non-profit educational arm of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), the Water Sports Foundation attributed the surge to record-setting growth in recreational boating activity and a 35% increase in first-time boat ownership in 2020, brought on by ...

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. Designed as a proof-of-concept project funded by a modest nonprofit grant of $89,000 from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Water Sports Foundation’s PR campaign delivered ...

By the Water Sports Foundation All over the country this upcoming holiday weekend, boaters will be cruising to popular gathering spots for watersports, to raft up, drop anchor and swim, enjoy barbecues and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations.  “After a year of Covid restrictions, boaters are out on the water in force, soaking up plenty of sun and ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith From the time he was a tyke tubing behind his grandfather’s 55-foot houseboat, through combo skiing and carving on a big board as a teen, to surfing the waves in exotic oceans as an adult, Jim Emmons has had a lifelong love affair with the water. In 1989, former college buddy John McEver of World Publications ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith With new and used boat sales soaring to record highs in 2020 to first-time boat buyers, boating safety stakeholders are taking extra measures to communicate and promote safe boating practices in advance of the busy summer boating season. “The pandemic literally saw hundreds of thousands of newcomers join the ranks of first-time boat owners, so we’re ...

As part of a U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Outreach Grant, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) has just completed the first phase and launch of its new “National Boating Safety Media Center,” which is designed to facilitate and support the work of journalists assigned to cover boating safety topics.  Housed within a dedicated section on the Water Sports Foundation’s new website (www.watersportsfoundation.com/media/), ...

The Water Sports Foundation welcomes outdoor writer and editor Jeff Moag as its new content director, with responsibility for managing the non-profit’s media campaigns promoting safe boating and paddling. Moag will also oversee development of a new website and expanded social-media presence for the leading boating-safety foundation established in 2004. Moag was editor-in-chief of Canoe & Kayak magazine for eight ...

The 2020 Wakeboarding Hall of Fame has announced their 2020 inductees, each of them pioneering athletes. The group includes Shannon Best, Mike Weddington, Zane Schwenk, Greg Nelson, Kristin (Buster) Lutgert Cartwright and early innovators Brannon Meek and Rich Goforth.  The group also includes Lifetime Achievement recognition for pioneering wakeboarder and waterman Scott Harwood and recognition for lifelong boat manufacturer Walter ...

By David Gee The good news is The New York Times recently ran a glowing article called The Boat Business Is Booming. You might have seen it. They interviewed dealers (including Quality Boats; Boating Industry 2019 Top 100 Dealer of the Year) who report sales are up in every category, highlighting the fact many boats are going to first-time buyers. ...