WSF News

Holiday Boating Tips

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.

Life Jacket Law For Paddlers

PROVIDENCE, RI – For paddlers in Rhode Island, wearing a life jacket is no longer a choice. It’s the law. The mandatory life jacket rule is one of five new safety regulations that went into effect on April 2, 2023, according to an announcement by the state’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The new life […]

Choosing Life Jackets for Kids

Five things to look for in life jackets for kids. By now, most boaters should be familiar with the statistics. Life jackets save lives, but only if you wear them. Fortunately, today’s offerings are more comfortable than ever. While most adults can easily find a life jacket that does the job, selecting a kid’s jacket […]

These Kayakers Fought for Survival After Big Waves Overturned Their Boats

One by one, the three kayakers capsized in the cold, angry water. Then they became separated. It was meant to be another boys’ trip, the latest in a tradition that stretched back more than two decades. Every other year, the old friends—Jim Farrington, 49, an electrical lineman in Alden, Michigan; Sean Royston, 47, an electrical grid systems manager […]

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

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

Men’s Journal Covers Paddling Safety in 2022

Water Sports Foundation Wins IBWSS Communication Award, Its Third National Boating Safety Recognition for 2021 Marketing Outreach

March 21, 2022, ORLANDO, Fla – The Water Sports Foundation (WSF) announced today it has won the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) Communication Award presented by the National Safe Boating Council this week for its Spanish language recreational boating safety outreach radio campaign. The promotion included a series of three 60-second safe boating […]

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 […]

BoatUS: New U.S. Coast Guard Fire Extinguisher Regulation Effective April 20

12 year expiration for disposables and different carriage requirements for older, newer model year vessels. ANNAPOLIS, Md., February 15, 2022 — A rite of passage for every boater is the annual spring commissioning. Newly added to the boat owners to-do list this spring will be to check all disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher dates of manufacture, as […]

Water Sports Foundation Suggests Six Top Tips for Enjoying a Fun & 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 […]

Profiles in Leadership: Jim Emmons Interview in BoatingIndustry Magazine

Recognizing Top Industry Achievers and Their Strategies for Success. WSF’s Jim Emmons is interviewed by BoatingIndustry Magazine

South Carolina Newspaper Shares WSF’s Top Tips for Safer Boating just in time for Independence Day Weekend

The Fourth tends to be one of the worst days of the year for boating accidents. The heat of summer, alcohol and a rush to get home after fireworks shows often combine to create a perfect storm that results in numerous accidents and deaths, boating experts say.

Great Lakes Scuttlebutt Magazine Shares Fourth of July Boating Safety Tips

Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine shares our top boating tips for a safe and fun independence day.

Men’s Journal Covers Paddling Safety

Memorial Day marks the launch of the boating and paddling season across the U.S. This year, however, waterways will look a little out of the ordinary—likely more crowded than ever.

Great Lakes Scuttlebutt Magazine Shares Summer Boating Safety Tips

Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine covers 12 boating safety tips for the busy summer season.

Boating Industry Insider Podcast Talks About National Safe Boating Week with Jim Emmons

Joining Boating Industry content director David Gee in this episode is Jim Emmons to discuss the latest boating safety statistics, the impact on boating safety with a rise in the number of first-time boaters, and the part the entire boating industry can play when it comes to boating safety education.

Soundings Trade Only Promotes Boating Safety Tips for Summer

The industry-focused magazine helps the Water Sports Foundation promote boating safety during the busy summer season, and beyond.

WSF Announces New National Boating Safety Media Center / Mainstream Distribution

The Water Sports Foundation (WSF) has recently launched the first phase of its new “National Boating Safety Media Center” which is designed to facilitate and support journalists assigned to cover boating safety topics.