FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (May 15, 2013) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW are pleased to host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Ohio and West Virginia High School Fishing State Championship on Saturday, June 15. The event will be held on the Ohio River with the launch and weigh-in taking place in Gallipolis, Ohio. ****LOCKING WILL BE ALLOWED****
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 6-7pm EST on Friday, June 14 at the public use launch ramp area with a rules briefing to follow. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online in advance to avoid late registration fees.
“We’re excited to host our third SAF High School State Championship with the Ohio Bass Federation here in Gallipolis,” Executive Director of the Visit Gallia Tourism Office, Amanda Crouse, said. “These tournaments are economically beneficial to our community, in addition, to getting students active in the outdoors. Anglers will pre-fish weeks prior to the event and spend money in our local motels, businesses and restaurants.”
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. Both the Ohio and West Virginia Bass Federations offer 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, June 14, 6-7pm EST at the public use launch ramp area, 300 Block of 1st Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, June 15, take-off at safe light at the Gallipolis Launch ramp. Weigh-in starts at 3pm. Questions? 580-765-9031
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
