Tag Archives: WSIA

Water Sports Foundation reports spike in online boater education

Water Sports Foundation logo

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 ...

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Indiana wakesurfing bill supported by watersports industry advances

Indiana’s Senate Bill 187 (SB 187), introduced by Senator Susan Glick (R-13), passed in the Indiana Senate with a vote of 40-6. SB 187 has the broad support of the recreational boating industry, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA). SB187 is sensible legislation that will establish ...

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Water Sports Industry Association welcomes Lee Gatts as Director of Government Affairs

The Waters Sports Industry Association (WSIA) announced Lee Gatts has joined the organization as its Director of Government Affairs. The WSIA is the towed water sports industry’s leading advocate, committed to preserving the vitality of water sports and activities into the future. Before joining WSIA, Gatts served as Manager of Southeast Policy and Engagement at the National Marine Manufacturers Association ...

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More sign on to oppose state wake boat bill

New Hampshire wakeboat bill

A New Hampshire bill (HB 229) that would define a “wake boat” was hotly debated and overwhelmingly opposed before the New Hampshire House Resources Committee, which drew praise from recreational boating industry stakeholders. While in person testimony was nearly evenly split for and against the measure, more than 1,220 people joined NMMA and WSIA in registering opposition to the bill, ...

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New WSIA ‘Wake Responsibly’ signs available

WSIA Wake Responsibly

The Water Sports Industry Association is providing recreational boating industry businesses new, free aluminum Wake Responsibly signs. If you're interested in obtaining one or several, please email info@wsia.net with your request. The original Wake Responsibly signs, handouts and downloads are also still available. Click here for downloadable links.

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Wakeboarding Hall of Fame to induct 7 new members

The Wakeboarding Hall of Fame (WHF) recently announced its 2019 inductees. The 2019 Wakeboarding Hall of Fame Inductees are athletes, Thomas Horrell Josh Smith, Gregg Necrason and Leslie Kent, and photographer Josh Lechworth. Innovator acknowledgements for Bruno Rixen and Pat Panakos are also being named as the two foremost cable-industry innovators and lifelong sport promoters. The induction ceremony will be ...

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Idaho county drops proposed wake boat ban

In late April, NMMA joined more than 250 stakeholders to help defeat a measure in Valley County, Idaho that would have placed punitive restrictions on wake boats. The proposal would have disallowed waves greater than 24 inches within 1,000 feet from shore on seven popular lakes in southern Idaho, including Payette Lake near McCall and Cascade Lake.NMMA, the Personal Watercraft ...

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NMMA’s Thom Dammrich receives WSIA Lifetime Achievement Award

The Watersports Industry Association (WSIA) presented NMMA president Thom Dammrich with its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award during the association’s annual Summit earlier this month. The Lifetime Achievement Award is WSIA's highest honor and recognizes an individual whose career has been dedicated to the progression and promotion of towed water sports.  The 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by WSIA's Kevin ...

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Surf Expo adjusts schedule due to Hurricane Irma

Organizers of the 2017 Surf Expo have adjusted the show’s schedule due to the impending Hurricane Irma. The show has cancelled all activities on Saturday, Sept. 9 and the trade show committee will be rescheduled via teleconference. The show will still be held at the Orange County Convention Center – South Concourse in Room S230B in Orlando. Below is the ...

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Water Sports Industry Association launches “Wake Responsibly” campaign

In an effort to proactively educate drivers on courteous boating behavior, the Water Sports Industry Association has debuted its Wake Responsibly campaign to help minimize conflicts on waterways between homeowners and towed water sports enthusiasts. WSIA and NMMA are spreading the word about the new campaign by sharing a video. To learn more about the Wake Responsibly campaign, visit the WSIA website.

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