FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (Mar 06, 2013) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and The City of Gainesville, Ga., announced today it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Georgia High School Fishing State Championship on Sunday, May 5. The event will be held in Hall County on Lake Sidney Lanier in Gainesville, Ga., launching out of Laurel Park.
The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Check-in is from 6:30-8:00pm EST on Saturday, May 4 at Fair Street Neighborhood Center in Gainesville, Ga., with a mandatory rules briefing to follow. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.
“The City of Gainesville is excited to once again host the SAF Georgia High School Fishing State Championshi
p,” Gainesville’s Communication & Tourism office’s, Deb Gregson, stated. “Bringing in high school teams and their families during this exciting tournament is a great way for us to showcase our wonderful city and recreational facilities.”
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW benefits, including FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The state champions from each state will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. Conference winners will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2014. All SAF members nationwide and all state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2013 High School Fishing World Finals. At these events students will compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team qualifying for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The National Champions will also receive a $5,000 scholarship each to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not a current 2013 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership benefits for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL SAF sanctioned events!
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. The Georgia Bass Federation offers these young anglers and their parents a home to participate in the sport of fishing locally and year round. Our partnership with FLW provides more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of too,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and their families have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by date registered. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering at check-in. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org
Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, May 4, 6:30-8pm EST at Fair Street Neighborhood Center located at 715 Fair St, Gainesville, GA 30501; rules briefing to follow at 8pm.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Sunday, May 5 at Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Rd Highway, Gainesville, GA. Takeoff is at first light and weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing. Questions? 580-765-9031
Host Hotel: Guest House Inn and Suites, 520 Queen City Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501. Call 770-535-8100 for reservations and ask for the BASSHS group rate of $60 plus tax, quote is for 2 guest per room. Each additional guest is $10 plus tax, rate includes continental breakfast, reservation code: BASSHS. Reservations must be made by April 22, 2013.
About FLW
FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2013 over the course of 231 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization there is. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for 45. TBF started the Student Angler Federation and the national High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org
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