Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 238
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is urging everyone to wear a life jacket, and follow all safety regulations and laws this summer when recreating on Arizona's waterways. "A life jacket does exactly what it says - it saves your life when you need it," said Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law enforcement program coordinator. "However, it can only save your life if you're wearing one, and often it's too late to put one on once you realize you need it." According to U.S. Coast Guard... Full story
From June 10-August 12, organizations are invited to apply for grant funding to clean up their local waterways. WHAT: In a nationwide effort to remove abandoned and neglected boats from our nation’s waterways, the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) Foundation is seeking qualified, diverse and experienced organizations to submit projects for funding. The massive cleanup effort to remove abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) in U.S. coastal waterways and the Great Lakes is f... Full story
Decrease In Fatalities, Accidents, But Problems Persist The recently released U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics shows some good news on the boating safety front, with fatalities falling by 11.3% to 564 from 636 in 2022, and overall incidents decreasing by 4.9% from 4,040 to 3,844. Nonfatal injuries also dropped by 4.3% from 2,222 in 2022 to 2,126 in 2023. Over the long haul, the Coast Guard report also noted that when the Safe Boating Act was first passed in 1971, the... Full story
Salute 'Old Glory' George M. Cohen said it well in the song he composed: " You're a grand old flag; you're a high-flying flag, and forever in peace may you wave; you're the emblem of the land I love, the home of the free and the brave... " June 14 we are reminded of this on Flag Day and again on Independence Day, July 4. Even in disturbing times like these, there is hope that all that Old Glory has symbolized will prevail. In celebration of our nation's independence, the folks at Lake Pleasant H... Full story
Reprinted from US Sailing Ed Huntsman, 72, who devoted his personal and professional life to boating safety, died after battling stage 4 cancer for nearly seven years on May 1, 2024. He was a committed volunteer to US Sailing as a member of the Safety at Sea Committee and Chair of the Committee Structure Task Force along with being a licensed captain, certified instructor, and combat veteran (Vietnam War). His First Family Son of Arral B Huntsman and Ann McFarland Viles Huntsman, brother of... Full story
We never tire of reminding boaters to wear their life jackets, ideally the entire time they are out on the water. PFDs are no longer bulky, unattractive, and ill-fitting. Now they are comfortable, come in many styles, even colors, and some of the kid's jackets are nothing short of "cute and fun to wear". If you are new to life-jacket shopping, check with the Coast Guard or its Auxiliary, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the National Safe Boating Council. Another good resource are the members... Full story
National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 18-24, 2024, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. “We’re committed to teaching boaters that the best boating experience is a safe day on the water,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the Natio... Full story
Whether you're working in the office, at home, in the air, or on the water, all boating enthusiasts can participate in Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on Friday, May 17, 2024. This fun day is part of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. "Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day is a great opportunity to share with others your love for boating," said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the... Full story
Not only does Daylight Saving Time begin this month, but so do many other great things. In the Valley of the Sun, fans' thoughts turn to diamonds, baseball that is, as Spring Training is underway. Wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts look forward to the annual Arizona Game and Fish Expo; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Outdoor Expo will feature everything from wildlife exhibits and family fishing tanks and trying out firearms in a safe, controlled environment on the range. Dates are March... Full story
Most boating fatalities involve people not wearing a life jacket . The importance of wearing a life jacket while recreating on Arizona's waterways is sadly reflected in the most recent statistics involving boating tragedies. A majority of the recreational boating fatalities were individuals who drowned and were not wearing a life jacket - the most important piece of safety gear one can wear, whether on a boat, personal watercraft or paddlecraft. Drowning Victims Not Wearing Life Jackets This... Full story
States and U.S. territories that shared $19.8 million in total BIG funding in the 2023 grant cycle included Arizona. Does your town or region make it easy for boaters to visit and spend locally? Having safe, protected dockage and offering amenities to these tourists by water can bring boaters in, but how do you pay for it? The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program, first championed by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), has proven effective in attracting boaters and... Full story
As northerners are winterizing their boats, southerners are well into the boating season. Both need the 109PC Siphon-Mate® Pump from Beckson Marine. The self-priming pump makes it easy to get a siphon started and simple to stop the process when the desired amount of liquid is moved-all without sucking on a dirty tube. Beckson's 109PC Siphon Pump is non-metallic, so it won't scratch surfaces and is safe to use around combustibles. Built from sturdy marine-grade plastic, it won't rust or becom... Full story
The Isle Switch Aren't all kayaks portable? Well, yes, but not all of them fit into a backpack, pump and all, with the whole package weighing just 19 pounds! The Isle Switch is the ideal kayak/paddle board for fishermen, especially fishermen who travel or who like to fish small waters that are hard to get to. One of the features of this kayak is the flat deck – you sit on a chair that is raised from the deck and there is plenty of room and plenty of straps for your gear -- and they've e... Full story
Now that the weather is cooler, the fishing is starting to heat up! It's that time of year when cold water fishing really starts to take off, so make sure you have your gear in order. Whether you are new to fishing or are a seasoned angler, here are a few tips to make sure your gear is ready for the fall. If you are new to fishing and are looking for a rod and reel for cold water fishing, I would recommend a 7-foot, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size spinning reel. This rod... Full story
BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water program supervisor Alan Dennison has been elected chairman of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). Created in its current form by the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971, the Council is the nation's principal public-private boating safety advocacy organization, representing a coalition of more than 330 U.S. and international member organizations. Its mission is to promote a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach... Full story
Although the heat continues to scorch the Desert Southwest, the good times ahead remind us of all the cool events Arizona has to offer. Soon, Lake Pleasant will revel in the sounds of western music at the September "Countryfest". Best Fest In The West - Come Celebrate Country At the same time, hunters will eagerly be hitting the countryside for the ever-popular dove-hunting season. And, as the cooler temperatures finally arrive, there are ideal times to visit some of the state's lakes (which... Full story
By Cameron MacLaren Long Beach Yacht Club is preparing for their annual US Sailing sanctioned International Safety at Sea course February 17-18, 2024. Participants may choose acomplete in-person two-day course; or a hands-on (Sunday only) course AFTER they've completed the 15 module online course, or a refresher / update if they've completed a sanctioned International course within the last 10 years. An impressive line up of seasoned and experienced presenters are scheduled to conduct the... Full story
Protect your crew and you while boating in severe heat. As the country continues to bake under record high temperatures, boaters often head to the water for respite. However, some may be unprepared for what it takes to withstand a high-heat day. Here are five tips from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water that can help ensure everyone's safety as temperatures climb. 1. Create shade. Direct sunlight can make the air feel 10- to 15 degrees warmer. Reduce the time you... Full story
Isabel Casillas Guzman Isabel Casillas Guzman is the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and serves in President Biden’s Cabinet as the leading advocate for America’s 33 million small businesses and innovative startups. I unfortunately heard a bit of what she said on a local "news" channel this morning. (Shame on them for letting her disseminate the misinformation that she did. Her lack of understanding of our economy and what has really been done to small bus... Full story
The hottest low. The hottest high. The warmest summer. The long, hot summer. Needless to say, it's too hot. Period. Records have been broken and, unfortunately, both humans and animals without shelter have suffered tremendously. And, although we are usually celebrating outdoor activity in this publication, we instead are urging caution now when recreating outside. Arizona is one of the hottest places on earth from May to September. Heat-related illnesses are common during the summer, and some... Full story
Summer boating season is in full swing and you've been enjoying your time on the water. Has it all been good so far? Maybe you've found yourself in a situation where, perhaps, you felt less-than-confident behind the wheel, or simply got a sense that something didn't feel safe. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has the fix for that: Taking a free online boating safety course can help make you feel good behind the helm – prepared, more confident, and able to handle situation... Full story
Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Opposes Vessel Speed Restrictions In The Gulf of Mexico, Calls for Collaboration in Conserving Rice's Whales The leading organizations representing recreational fishing and boating in the United States have urged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to reject a petition to establish a year-round 10-knot (11 mph) vessel speed limit and other vessel-related measures in the Rice's whale "core" habitat area in the Gulf of Mexico. The... Full story
Monsoon weather is just around the corner, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) cautions boaters, anglers and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users that weather conditions can quickly change and become dangerous for those who aren't prepared. The severity of monsoon storms varies greatly, from a minor dust storm to a violent thunderstorm capable of producing hail, deadly lightning and flash flooding. "Arizona is known for its often unbearable summer heat; it's also known for great places... Full story
Not surprising that if you "know" the navigation rules on the waterway upon which you're boating, it's easy to spot those that don't. In fact, many boaters don't even know they exist, let alone what they are and that we are all legally responsible to know and understand them. Part of the reason there's confusion is that unless you've completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety education course or you've "heard" about the NAV Rules somewhe... Full story
To keep the public safe from watercraft-related accidents this upcoming Fourth of July weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will increase patrols on Arizona’s waterways from July 1-3 during Operation Dry Water. This nationwide campaign focuses on decreasing the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities, and educating recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence. Law enforcement officers will remove dangerous and im... Full story
