Rafting Pioneer George Wendt Hopes Grand Canyon Can Be Rescued from Proposed Development Plans

Photo by http://www.oars.com/press.html

Championing the rights of rivers is nothing new to George Wendt, founder and owner of what may be the world’s best-known river rafting company, O.A.R.S. Over its 45-year history the company has contributed more than $3 million toward the preservation of the environment and to conservation initiatives worldwide.

Today, Wendt has thrown down the gauntlet against developers who would threaten aquifers that feed the Colorado River in its course through the Grand Canyon. At issue is the proposed Tusayan development that would add 2,200 homes and collateral services and amenities less than two miles from the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park.

And in another section of the Canyon, Wendt hopes that sufficient forces can be brought to bear against the creation of a gondola designed to transport upwards of 4,000 tourists daily from the rim to the river. This is known as the Grand Canyon Escalade project.

The National Park Service has already expressed serious concerns about the environmental impact these projects could have on the Grand Canyon. Read Full Story

Source: http://outdoorindustry.org/news/industry.php?newsId=20528

Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots in America, By TakeMeFishing

TakeMeFishing has become one of America's best sources for fishing information in America. Not too long ago they published this very useful and wonderfully designed infographic that marks the best locations for fishing and boating in America. According to their research, 90% of all Americans live within an hour of navigable water, meaning you can boat, canoe or kayak on. America offers 3.5 million miles of rivers and nearly 8,000 state parks!

Source: http://blog.takemefishing.org/top-100-family-friendly-places-to-fish/

Infographic - Recreational Boating Fatality Statistics by USCG

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division, someone is injured or killed in a boating accident every 2-1/2 hours. As expected, your chances of drowning in a boating accident is greatly reduced while wearing a life jacket, you have a 1 in 11 chance with no life jacket and 1 in 66 while wearing a life jacket. Less than 50% of boaters have ever taken a boating safety course and only 63% consider themselves "very experienced."

Source: http://www.uscgboating.org/

6 Most Common Rumors About Alcohol and Boating from the US Coast Guard

1. Drinking alcohol while operating a boat isn’t a big deal; it’s not as dangerous as drinking and driving a car.

The fact is, alcohol is responsible for 16% of boating fatalities. It’s the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. That’s a huge deal. Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is also against the law.

The operator of a boat has more variables to consider than someone driving a car. How deep is the water? Are there submerged dangers like rocks or trees? How big are the waves and what direction are they coming from?

Waterways aren’t marked by lanes, signs and street lights the same way that roads are and most boats don’t have headlights. Operating a boat is challenging enough while sober. Adding alcohol only makes it more difficult and dangerous. Exposure to sun, wind, rain, noise, vibration and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications. Read Full Story

Source: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/08/6-most-common-rumors-about-alcohol-and-boating/#sthash.oQ9IB6qN.dpuf

Champion Boater Suspected of Faking His Boating Death

A nationwide manhunt is underway for a champion boater who may have faked his own death, according to authorities. Andrew Biddle has been missing since a boating accident last month. Police believe Biddle may have faked his own death to avoid criminal charges. Police say the father of two was with another racer, Justin Belz, riding in a pontoon boat near Longport, New Jersey, on July 20 when they hit a buoy and plowed into a jetty. Belz survived by swimming to shore and a massive search for Biddle was called off just a day later.  Full story can be read here

Bonding Through Boating, A Short Film by Discover Boating

Discover Boating is a public awareness group, promoting the boating lifestyle in the USA. They offer free videos, magazines and literature on boat manufacturers, where to buy, boat maintenance and the best places in America to go boating. Nearly 70 million people in America enjoy recreational boating and this organization is a great resource to get started if you're new to the sport or to gain more knowledge if you're a seasoned boater.

Five things all parents should know about water safety

I am Petty Officer Tabitha Butierries, a Coast Guard search and rescue coordinator at the Fifth Coast Guard District, but today I’m writing to you as a mother of a toddler and a grade-schooler. I have been involved with Coast Guard search and rescue for more than 12 years and every time I’m involved in a case that involves the death of a child, it breaks my heart. I wanted to take a moment to remind parents out there how to keep your children safe while at the beach.

1. Watch your children while at the beach!
Even a small wave can topple a child and pull them out to sea in a very short time. Keep an eye on your kids! You wouldn’t let your kid run around unattended in a mall parking lot, and the waters at the beach can be just as dangerous. See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/08/five-things-all-parents-should-know-about-water-safety/#sthash.0nh6XIht.dpuf

Boating at Payette Lake

One of my favorite memories of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho was when one of my uncles took me out on his boat. Nevertheless, the trip demonstrates just how fast the weather in Idaho can change in the summer. It started out as a beautiful, sunny day, but when the afternoon rolled around, it turned into a storm so intense we wondered whether we would make it back to shore.

My uncle took us out in his legendary pontoon boat which had enough room to hold all of us and has been part of our family memories for many years. We loaded up, and after getting ready, we set out onto gorgeous Payette Lake, one of the main attractions in McCall. The lake is an incredible blue set against the background of pristine mountains and delicious green pine trees. We took our time exploring the lake, and some of us tried our hand at fishing.

In the late afternoon, I took a look up at the sky and noticed something peculiar. White, puffy clouds were gathering in the sky. Thankfully, my uncle noticed it as well, and we decided that we needed to head to shore. As we headed back, great gusts of wind came up and huge waves formed on the lake. It took everything we could to get the boat back to the dock and onto the trailer. Thankfully, we had help as others around pitched in. It was a good reminder to never underestimate the power of Mother Nature.

By: Rebecca M.