Ponca City,
Okla. (March 19, 2011) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW
Outdoors, announced it will be hosting the inaugural Student Angler Federation Ohio
High School Fishing State Championship, July 9 at the boat access ramp in the
public use area adjacent to the Gallipolis City Park, Gallipolis, Ohio. The
state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9 -12.
Registration for high school anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the
boat they compete in, is open online at HighSchoolFishing.org or
by calling 580.765.9031. Check-in begins at 4pm on Friday, July 8 in the
Gallipolis City Park. A mandatory rules
briefing will follow at 6pm. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register
online or by phone well in advance to avoid late registration fees.
“We are so
excited this year to be hosting the Student Anglers Federation Bass
championship in Gallipolis,” Executive Director of the Gallia County Convention
and Visitors Bureau, Bob Hood, said. “The
majestic hills paint a beautiful backdrop as the stunning waterways open the
door for a unique adventure in this southeastern Ohio town. We are making
every effort to make sure this experience is a memorable one!”
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 Outdoors benefits, including access to
the all-new FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students
and their club. The winning two-person team from each state championship will
advance to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held
in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship
hosted on a college campus this fall. Ranger boats will be provided for the
high school anglers to fish from at each regional championship, and the winners
from each regional will advance to the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing
National Championship held on a college campus in conjunction with the National
Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2012. All SAF
members and state championship participants qualify for the largest event in
high school fishing, the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals, July 20-23 in
Russellville, Ark., to compete for thousands in college scholarships and
prizes. Start planning your vacation now! Each team that qualifies for a
regional and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help
offset expenses. The High School Fishing National Championship winner’s will
also each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their
choice.
If you’re not
an SAF member, there’s a $25/per angler fee for the state championship, which
includes full TBF/FLW Outdoors membership benefits, and the onetime fee covers ALL
SAF sanctioned events all year!
“We’re very excited to be working with the Ohio
Bass Federation and Gallia County to bring this event to Ohio,” TBF National
President, Robert Cartlidge, said. “Our affiliated state federations are the
backbone of the industry; they’re on the ground doing the work to put on these types
of events and give high school anglers a chance to grow their skills, have some
fun, compete to advance, and get involved with other programs the Ohio Bass
Federation has to offer.”
“High school
anglers in Ohio are fortunate to have the Ohio Bass Federation well established
in the state and eager to help with this event, which promises to be a great
one,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “Our Student Angler
Federation has a great start in Ohio with several students participating in our
High School Fishing World Finals last year in Russellville, Arkansas. I’m sure
they’re ready to show everyone in the state how far they’ve come as anglers.”
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. “It’s an industry first by
TBF and a tremendous way to emphasize the importance of education to these
student anglers,” Gintert commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to
promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do
exactly that. Put this package together with our partnership with FLW Outdoors
and the sky is the limit. These young
anglers will have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at Highchoolfishing.org OR
BY PHONE 580.765.9031. Questions? info@highschoolfishing.org
or call 580.765.9031. If you have to you
can register at the Saturday Mandatory Check-in, HOWEVER, there will be a $25/ per
angler late fee. The best way is to
pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org.
Mandatory Check-in: Friday, July 8, 4-6pm MST, Tent
located at Gallipolis City Park, 300 First Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio; Rules
briefing to follow at 6pm; For inclement weather, Gallia County Convention and
Visitors Bureau meeting room located at 259 Third Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, July 9, Public Use Area,
boat ramp adjacent to the Gallipolis City Park, the boat ramp area you can
access from First Avenue just south of the park, 6:30am and 2:30pm.
About FLW Outdoors
FLW Outdoors is the largest fishing tournament
organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete
for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing
mainstream with the world’s richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing
presented by Straight Talk, where competitors can play for free, as well as,
sign up for Player’s Advantage to gain an edge. For more information about FLW
Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com
or FantasyFishing.com.
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. 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
more than 40 years. Visit bassfederation.com.
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