Recognizing the critical link that getting youth on the water early is to the future of the boating industry, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association is putting a spotlight on kids’ events during National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 3-11. It’s a notable model of what other marine trade associations and dealers can do.
“We first established Mass Kids Fishing Day in 2017 to encourage and support kids fishing events around Massachusetts,” says MMTA executive director Randall Lyons. “Two years later, we opted to expand the program and renamed it Mass Kids Boating & Fishing Week. Since its start, hundreds of kids have had an opportunity for some hands-on learning about boats and fishing.”
The facts are indisputable. Studies by such organizations as the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation document that more than 70% of adult boaters started boating when they were kids. Indeed, if a youngster has not been exposed to boating by the age of 15, the odds are overwhelming that they won’t ever become boaters.
Moreover, since fishing is among the top activities done from a boat, it triggered MMTA’s decision to change the event name and tie it more strongly to the sport. But the emphasis at the events conducted by MMTA members is squarely on the boating. As a result, there is a mixture of boating/fishing events around the Bay State that MMTA is actively promoting.
A Youth Fishing Derby, held in conjunction with the non-profit ConfiKids organization, kicks off Mass Kids Boating & Fishing Week on June 3 at Buzzards Bay. It will be followed by:
Lakeside Kids Event – June 8, Webster
Touch a Boat Day – June 10, Nantucket Boat Basin
Kids in Boating Day – June 10, Charlestown Marina
Kids in Boating Day – June 11, Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina
Kids in Boating Day – June 17, MarineMax Danvers
Kids in Boating Day – July 8, MarineMax Danvers
It’s important to recognize that staging an event isn’t complicated, and the content can vary widely. At MarineMax Danvers, for example, event coordinator Jill Sudo says their event is targeted for kids ages 8-13.
“Ours is popular, so we hold it twice,” Sudo says. “We make it a hands-on happening designed to be fun. The kids learn how to be key crewmembers, observe safety rules, experience boat handling, docking requirements and much more. We want to ensure that young boaters feel safe and confident in their roles as honorary first mates.
“Our goal is simple,” she adds. “Here at MarineMax, we believe getting kids comfortable with boating at a young age not only makes for great family time on the water, but can also make boating a part of their lives for years to come.”
MarineMax conducts these events at nearby Liberty Marina on the Danvers River.
Mass Kids Boating & Fishing Week events take many forms. Some of the ideas at the various events include an open house with entertainment; boating and fishing movies; kids boarding and learning about different styles of boats; Coast Guard and/or local marine patrol vessel dockside tours; and boating games with prizes. If its fun it will draw.
Given the industrywide need for more aggressive actions to keep up customer relationships, easily duplicated ideas like these from MMTA members could prove well worth the effort.
