Author: Jeff Moag

A man and young girl wearing life jackets steer a boat together on a sunny day, smiling and enjoying their time on the water.

What Every Boater Needs to Know About Boating Under the Influence

BUI laws apply nationwide, but legal limits and consequences vary by state. Here is what boaters need to know before leaving the dock. The legal blood-alcohol limit for boaters in most states is 0.08% – the same as it is for drivers. Penalties vary, but in many jurisdictions a conviction for boating under the influence, […]

Two people wearing life jackets smile and take a selfie while standing on a blue and white motorboat on a sunny day, surrounded by water and trees in the background—showcasing the fun of being out on the water and following Boating Tips for Memorial Day.

The Water Sports Foundation’s Top Tips For Labor Day Boating

Safe boating practices for the busy holiday and cooler weather ahead ORLANDO, Fla. – August 25, 2026 – Labor Day, recognized as the traditional close of summer, is one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. Waterways from coast to coast will be crowded with boaters squeezing in one last day of summer fun […]

Royalty-free image - A man in a cap smiles and shows a peace sign while sitting on a boat at sea during sunset, with calm water and an orange sky in the background.

America’s Boating Channel® Releases New Video on Electronic Locator Beacons

RALEIGH, N.C. — Aug. 17, 2026 — America’s Boating Channel®, the award-winning boating safety video service of America’s Boating Club® | United States Power Squadrons®, has released a new educational video explaining electronic locator beacons and how these important safety devices can help boaters summon assistance and improve their chances of being located during an emergency. […]

A woman in a sun hat and life jacket sits by a maroon boat, smiling, with green hills and water in the background—enjoying the sunshine and reflecting on Boating Tips for Memorial Day.

WSF Applauds Life Jacket Technology, Design and Comfort

More Comfortable Designs Increase Use of the Most Effective Boating Safety Product ORLANDO, Fla. – August 17, 2026 – Life jacket technology has advanced dramatically since the early 1800s, when mariners first began stuffing canvas vests with blocks of wood, rows of cork, or tropical tree fibers. While the filling, fabric and fit have evolved […]

Large, colorful fireworks explode in the night sky above a body of water filled with boats, casting vibrant reflections and illuminating the dark surroundings—don’t forget to follow Boating Tips for Memorial Day for a safe and enjoyable celebration.

Top Boating Tips for Fourth of July Fireworks, Flotillas and Fun

America’s 250th Birthday Means Expanded Celebrations and More Boaters on the Waterways ORLANDO, Fla. – June 18, 2026 — Waterfront venues across the United States will host Independence Day celebrations to honor the nation’s 250th birthday with everything from fireworks shows to festive boat parades. This Fourth of July boaters should be well prepared to […]

Four children wearing life jackets sit together on a boat, laughing and smiling. Their feet are outstretched on red and black seats, enjoying calm water—a perfect scene for sharing Boating Tips for Memorial Day.

How to Boost the Fun Factor When Boating with Kids

Experts Share Advice on How to Keep Kids Engaged and Enjoying Family Time on the Water ORLANDO, Fla. – June 11, 2026 — Family boating adventures can do more than create fun summer memories — they help children build confidence, strengthen family relationships and develop a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors according to a national […]

A blue pontoon boat floats on a calm lake under a partly cloudy sky as two children in kid's life jackets jump into the water, while an adult watches from the boat. Lush green hills are visible in the background.

Eight Top Boating Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is the busiest boating weekend of the year ORLANDO, Fla. – May 12, 2026 – As the traditional opening of the summer boating season approaches this Memorial Day, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) encourages boaters to prepare for the busiest boating weekend of the year. “Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the start of […]

An adult in a red jacket, both wearing level 50 life jackets for kayaking, stands on a paddleboard with a child sitting in front on a calm lake, surrounded by dense green pine trees reflecting on the water.

Level 50 Life Jackets For Standup Paddleboarding

New PFDs Built for Balance and Mobility Standup paddleboarding demands balance, agility and freedom of movement. Whether paddlers are cruising a quiet harbor, exploring a mangrove shoreline or practicing fitness paddling on a lake, SUP riders constantly shift their stance and use their torsos for strong paddle strokes. Traditional life jackets can inhibit the freedom […]

A person paddles a yellow kayak through a narrow, rocky coastal inlet surrounded by tall cliffs, with the open sea visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Level 50 Life Jackets For Kayaking

New PFD Standard Delivers Comfort for Everyday Paddlers Recreational kayaking is one of the most popular ways to explore calm lakes, quiet rivers and protected coastal waters. Paddlers often spend hours on the water, making comfort a key factor in whether they keep their flotation on throughout the trip. The new Level 50 PFD standard […]

A person wearing a hat and life jacket kayaks on calm water at sunset, accompanied by a black dog. The kayak is blue, and the sky is pink and orange, reflecting on the water’s surface.

Level 50 Life Jackets and Kayak Fishing

New Standard Combines Comfort, Mobility and Legal Compliance Kayak fishing requires paddling (or pedaling), close-quarters boat control and casting, all before your first strike. Anglers reach for rods, twist to fight fish and constantly adjust their position while managing gear and tackle. And if it’s not hot as blazes, you probably have extra layers under […]

A person wearing a life jacket sails a small white boat on choppy blue water, leaning out to balance as waves splash. The sky is blue with scattered clouds and distant shoreline in the background.

Level 50 Life Jackets and Dinghy Racing

A New Standard Built for Mobility Competitive dinghy sailing demands agility. Racers hike hard on the rail, scramble across cockpits during tacks and jibes, and constantly adjust their body position to keep lightweight boats balanced and moving fast. Traditional foam life jackets can sometimes restrict these movements forcing sailors to choose between comfort and safety. […]

A smiling woman in a blue life jacket stands on a boat, holding a red-and-white wakeboard, with calm water and green trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Level 50 Life Jackets and Wake Sports

A New Class of Buoyancy Aids for Active Watersports Wakeboarding, waterskiing and other towed watersports demand athletic movement. Riders jump wakes, carve across the water and adjust their stance constantly. Because these sports require flexibility and balance, bulky flotation can sometimes interfere with performance. The new Level 50 standard for personal flotation devices aims to […]

A young child wearing a kid's life jacket smiles while holding onto the steering wheel of a boat, with water and greenery visible in the background.

Water Sports Foundation Video Featured on Amazon Consumer Information Page

The video “Properly Sizing Children’s Life Jackets” is part of a joint effort by the retailer and Coast Guard to counter swim vests and floaties improperly labeled as life jackets Orlando, FL April 23, 2026 – Amazon, the world’s largest retailer, in April agreed to include consumer warning information about sellers on the site inaccurately […]

A person in a red kayak, wearing a kid's life jacket, paddles on a calm lake surrounded by forested mountains, with the landscape and sky reflected in the water under a cloudy sky.

Paddling Season is Back: 5 Tips for Kayak and SUP Fun

Growth, innovation and safety are trending for the 2026 paddling season. ORLANDO, Fla. – April 14, 2026 — As spring unfolds across the United States, paddlers are eagerly returning to the water to mark the unofficial start of the season for kayakers, canoers and stand-up paddleboarders, all sports which are surging in popularity. The Outdoor […]

A person drives a red speedboat on a lake with blurred trees in the background. Large text reads, “Confidence is Contagious,” and several boater safety organization logos appear at the bottom.

The Confidence Game: Boater Education Gives Dealers an Edge

Boats these days are so feature-rich it seems they should sell themselves. But veteran dealers will tell you the key to closing the deal isn’t only just horsepower and electronics packages. A salesperson’s ability to show a prospective buyer how to safely operate and enjoy a boat often determines whether the deal gets signed. Customer […]

Royalty-free image - A speeding motorboat moves through the water with large text above: "YOU'RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK." At the bottom, small text warns about distractions while boating and promotes wearing life jackets and staying vigilant.

WSF Debuts New Boating Safety Campaign

For the first time in its 15 years managing life-saving boating safety campaigns, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) has contracted a top-tier creative design agency. The WSF selected Black Oak Creative of Winter Haven, Florida, for its years of marine industry experience and forward-leaning creative designs. The WSF has so far debuted seven new advertisements […]

Royalty-free image - A bearded man wearing a baseball cap and a yellow life jacket is on the ocean with waves and blue sky behind him. The text "LOVE Y'ALL" is written across the center of the image.

Fisherman Opens Up About the Beacon That Saved His Life

Thanks to a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Easton Barrett and his friends survived after their boat sank in the Gulf of Mexico. By Jeff Moag The video that made Easton Barrett famous was only the beginning. His boat had just gone down in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving Easton and four friends treading water and […]

Royalty-free image - A child in a life jacket walks toward a docked boat, while two adults hold hands in the foreground. Text emphasizes the importance of safety before leaving the dock.

WSF debuts ‘The Moment That Matters’ Ad Series

The Water Sports Foundation is proud to reveal the first ad in its new The Moment That Matters boating safety campaign. The full-page print ad will debut in the April 2026 issue of Boating magazine. Design agency Black Oak Creative crafted a range of similar advertisements aimed at different boating and paddling audiences. The campaign […]