The Over-Under: Fishing And Boating vs. Mainstream Sports

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As a nation enthralled with sports, Americans have a lot of choices for both indoor and outdoor activities. Whether it's a game of H.O.R.S.E on the basketball court, watching your kid score the winning goal on the soccer field, or a friendly round of golf among colleagues, there's always a sport you can participate in. So with all of these choices why should someone choose boating and fishing?  The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation's (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ campaign (TakeMeFishing.org) answers this question with a playful yet informative infographic. This new visual highlights how boating and fishing offer everything a recreational sport should and more.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: www.multivu.com/mnr/58455-take-me-fishing-boating-and-fishing-vs-mainstream-sports

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121010/MM89127)

In 2011 alone, 83 million Americans participated in boating¹ and 46 million went fishing.² As it turns out, annually more people fish than play football and basketball combined.³ This comes as little surprise considering fishing and boating are fun and relatively inexpensive ways to enjoy the outdoors, as well as bond with family. In addition, studies show that just being near water can help naturally lower anxiety and reduce stress.⁴

"Sports are a big part of people's lives, and Americans look to them as a way to relax and unwind from the day-to-day grind," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "If you consider the minimal cost, ease, accessibility, and enjoyment of fishing and boating, there is no question in my mind that these two sports can compete with any out there."

An additional bonus to boating and fishing is the accessibility. There are 3.5 million miles of river in the U.S. and 90 percent of Americans live within one hour of navigable water.⁵ There are also two times as many boat ramps in the U.S. as there are golf courses, so if you're looking for a place to launch a boat, you won't have to look too far.⁶

If all of those benefits weren't enough to give boating and fishing a leg up over the competition, add in the fact that participation helps fund efforts to conserve our natural waterways.

"A portion of all fishing tackle and license sales, as well as boat supply and registration sales, fund the conservation and preservation of our nation's waterways helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy all that nature has to offer," said Peterson.

Since 2007, the Take Me Fishing campaign has generated nearly $33 million for state conservation efforts.  The campaign increases awareness of the need to protect, conserve and restore the nation's aquatic resources by encouraging participation in recreational boating and fishing.  These efforts impact conservation efforts throughout the country.

For more information on boating and fishing and places to participate in the sports, visit TakeMeFishing.org.

Sources:
¹National Marine Manufacturers Association Annual Statistical Report; ²2012 Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Special Report on Fishing and Boating; ³Keep America Fishing; ⁴Negativeionsinformation.org; ⁵AmericanRivers.org; ⁶TakeMeFishing.org

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign. 

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SOURCE The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation