National Public Relations Outreach Campaign

The Water Sports Foundation’s National Public Relations Outreach Campaign produced the largest online repository of boating safety content, using materials provided by the United States Coast Guard, the Water Sports Foundation, and other boating safety nonprofits, organizations and stakeholders. The purpose of the National Boating Safety Media Center was to create a comprehensive, one-stop resource featuring relevant boating safety content and statistical data, still and video images, and expert contacts available for media interviews.

The campaign created a curated database of national and regional media that cover boating and boating safety, including television, magazines, newspapers, radio, podcasts and social media. This database was developed and used during the project’s funding period in 2020 – 2021, resulting in 641 news stories and more than 1 billion potential media impressions. The database and media center continue to be a valuable resource for journalists and recreational boating safety advocates.

Video Series: Safe SUP Choices

This series of humorous videos covers a range of important SUP topics, like paddling while impaired, staying within your limits, paying attention to the forecast, and more.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 1 // Life Jackets

Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe describe how to choose and adjust the most important piece of boating gear — your life jacket.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 2 // What to Wear

Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe help you dress for paddling success.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 3 // Essential Paddling Gear

Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe run through a short list of essential paddling gear, starting with a life jacket.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 4 // How to Paddle

Let’s start at the beginning. Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe demonstrates the three basic strokes you need to go, turn and stop.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 5 // File Your Plan

Let friends and family know where you’re going and when to expect you back. Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe describe the basics of filing a float plan.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 6 // Traffic Rules

Look both ways. In this 1-minute episode, paddling experts Paul and Kate Kuthe explain the basics of paddling in crowded waterways.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 7 // What if I Flip?

It happens to the best of us. In this 1-minute episode, paddling experts Paul and Kate Kuthe explain what to do if you flip your kayak.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 8 // Calling For Help

In this short episode, paddling experts Paul and Kate Kuthe describe how to use a marine radio to call for help from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Video: Stand Up Paddling Safety

Learn a few important ways to keep your stand up paddling experience as safe as possible.

Video: Kayak Fishing Safety Minute with Chad Hoover

Expert Chad Hoover takes one minute to talk a little kayak fishing safety.

Collision on the Chesapeake

What re-enacting the unlikeliest accident on Chesapeake Bay tells us about boating safety.

Losing a 300-pound Marlin—And Their Boat

Ten minutes, maybe less. That’s all the time Dan Suski had from the moment he cut the marlin loose until he was treading water in the Atlantic, the 33-foot sport boat Reel Irie already on its way to the bottom some 1,800 feet below. “That’s a pretty surreal feeling, seeing a boat just disappear into […]

A Lesson to Live By

Kayak angler Sean Danielson’s father insisted he wear a lifejacket. Years later, that advice would save his life. By Jeff Moag Sean Danielson is a lucky man. After nearly three hours in the frigid waters of Chesapeake Bay, the kayak fisherman was hypothermic and barely conscious. The sun had just set, and if Lana Lohe […]

Kayak Angler Smashed by Motorboat

August 31, 2019 was shaping up as an unforgettable day even before kayak angler Adam Irino got steamrolled by a motorboat and caught the biggest fish of his life. Adam and two friends launched their kayaks early that morning from Rockaway Beach, a few miles south of San Francisco. As the sun crept over the […]