In preparation for Columbia County’s Major League Fishing (MLF) tournament later this month at Clarks Hill Lake, a few MLF participants and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have sought out to promote water safety and their “Every Kid Outdoors” program.
North Columbia Elementary School fourth and fifth graders gathered around their gym in order to learn about water safety and angler fishers from national officials on Monday, Feb. 27.
Students were introduced to the MLF’s Charlie Evans and rangers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to learn about preventative ways of being safe when outdoors – including: why one should wear a life jacket, how to get one and how no one should ever swim alone.
After discussing some basics to fishing and safety, children were also surprised with free passes to all national parks and any public lands for their family to explore.
“The most important resource we have are kids, and if we get them outdoors good things happen,” said Evans, who is one of 300 professional angler fishermen in the world. “When we’re outside fishing on the water … we want to make sure we’re wearing our life jacket. Got to have that life jacket on, zipped up and buckled up.”
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With the slogan “lifejackets worn, nobody mourns,” rangers described to students the importance of a properly fitted life jacket. According to them, they should “feel like a warm hug,” and should not go past one’s head in the water.
Ranger David Quebedayx said he believes it is important to let kids know the danger involved with improper safety on the water; he emphasized how drowning is very serious because of its devastating nature.
“We want to make sure they have a lifetime of knowledge and fun that is safe,” he said. “It’s really exciting to be here today with all these kids … they’re just amazing.”
In order to ensure a proper amount of life jackets being worn as well, most public parks with water features offer to visitors free loaner life jackets for those of all sizes. Quebedayx and the other rangers highlighted that oftentimes parents make the mistake of substituting life jackets for store-bought floaties.
“One of the big things that we see that is problematic is the floaties that you’ll see on kids’ arms; those are toys and they pop,” he said. “They don’t make sure that the child is going to float with their nose and mouth above the surface of the water. If they come off the child or if they burst, the child drowns. Your child is worth more than a .99 cent toy. Buy them a real life jacket.”
He suggests families buy them at any local sporting or outdoor goods store such as Dick’s or Cabela’s.
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Quebedayx also said he hopes the children come to realize the beauty that is outdoor adventuring and enjoying each other.
With a desire to expand the Angler sport, Evans also pointed out to female students that the industry is in need of more representation; he said females make up about 25% of the angler fishermen profession, even though women’s hands are better suited for it.
In the future, Evans hopes to see more women involved in the sport so there is equal representation for both genders to further eliminate the stigma of fishing being a predominantly male activity.
“Families that fish together make stronger family units … so I’m encouraging students to get outdoors, go fishing and have fun,” said Evans.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
