Spring Has Sprung

Spring is in the air. Time has sprung forward, catapulting us to the next season. And, as a show of good faith for the coming season, the Sacramento Valley Marine Association produced an extremely optimistic and enjoyable boat and RV show.

This year’s show, hosted at Cal Expo in Sacramento, was especially significant for both water sports enthusiasts and the local recreational industry. Like most industries, we are waiting to see if the economy has really bounced back or if the industry is in for another tough year, and in that regard there were mixed signals.

The show was noticeably smaller, as some major players like Cope & McPheters Marine, Olympic Boats and Dianna Yachts chose to sit out this year. However, there was a great crowd on Saturday and Sunday buffeted by a strong showing from local and national brands, including Farallone Yachts, MasterCraft and Rogue Jet Boatworks.

The Delta’s economy is supported in part by the recreation dollars brought in by boating, fishing, birding, camping and the like. So a good turnout at the show could mean a boost for our local economy through the spring and summer months, and according to the vendors I talked to at the show, the sales and leads generated over the four-day period were well worth the price of admission. Many of the guests were anxious see the new offerings from their favorite manufacturer or vendor.

Dockwalking

During the show, I had the pleasure of being a Dockwalker with the state’s Boating Clean and Green campaign. In that capacity, I worked with two very committed individuals: Vivian Matuk, campaign coordinator with the California Department of Boating and Waterways; and Dan Jordan of the Keep the Delta Clean program. These individuals and their programs strive to educate boaters about, among other things, clean boating practices and the financial liabilities facing negligent boaters.

The Boating Clean and Green Campaign, a joint effort of the California Coastal Commission and the California Department of Boating and Waterways, is an ongoing, statewide program educating boaters, conducting research and providing technical assistance to marinas and local clean boating programs like Keep the Delta Clean.

Through strategic partnerships with marine businesses, boating associations, environmental and non-profit groups, state and local governments and initiatives, the Campaign has certified over 600 statewide Dockwalkers to help educate boaters. Dockwalkers are volunteers who train boaters and other recreators about environmentally sound boating and distribute boater kits with educational materials while visiting marinas, boat launch ramps, boat shows and events. To date, Dockwalkers have distributed more than 60,000 boater kits.

As a new Dockwalker, I was trained by Matuk. “The boating community has embraced our efforts and demonstrated their willingness to be self policing,” she said. “Not only have the boaters been supportive, but other government agencies have also answered the call to keeping their local waterways clean by offering similar programs at the local, state and federal levels.”

Success of the program is measured through the campaign’s research component, which surveys boater awareness and recall of oil recycle facilities, pumpout station logos, relevant signage and the liability attached to negligent boating practices.

If you would like to participate in the Boating Clean Program or would like some clean boating tips, please feel free to visit the California Coastal Commission website at www.coastal.ca.gov/ccbn/dockwalkers or www.keepthedeltaclean.com.

If would like to meet some Dockwalkers, please stop by booth 866 at Strictly Sail in Jack London Square in Oakland, April 14 – 17.