FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
PONCA CITY, Okla. (Apr 05, 2013) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with F
LW, the City of Gadsden Parks & Recreation Department and Etowah County Tourism announced it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Alabama High School Fishing State Championship on Saturday, May 25. The event will be held in Etowah County on Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Ala., launching out of Coosa Landing.
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 begins on Friday, May 24 at 5:30pm CST at Gadsden Convention Hall; rules briefing to follow at 7pm. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.
The City of Gadsden Parks & Recreation Department, along with Etowah County Tourism is pleased to host the SAF Alabama High School Fishing State 
Championship,” Gadsden Parks and Recreation’s Jennifer Gipson, said. “This is a great opportunity for us to draw families from around the state to our area and show them once again what a great vacation destination we have to offer.”
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 Alabama 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: Friday, May 24, 5:30-7pm CST at Gadsden Convention Hall, 344 S. 1st St, Gadsden, AL 35901; Rules briefing to follow at 7pm.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 25 at Coosa Landing, 200 Lake St, Gadsden, AL 35901; Takeoff is at first light and launch/weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing. Questions? 580-765-9031
Staff Hotel: Gadsden Inn & Suites, 200 N. Albert Rains Blvd, Gadsden, AL 35901. Call 256-543-7240 for reservations and ask for the Alabama High School Fishing Championship group rate of $70 for singles and $75 for doubles. Please make your reservations early as these discounted rooms will fill quickly.
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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