The Sea Tow Foundation is showcasing the winners of the 2023 National Boating Safety Awards via individualized blog posts that answer specific questions posted to each winning company.

The Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) won the 2023 National Boating Safety Award in the category of Top Marine Trades Association.

1. Please briefly describe your winning entry and tell us about the process of creating/launching it.

Our entry was about our Wake Responsibly campaign that has long been an effective way to educate homeowners and boaters alike on courteous behavior on the water. The campaign recently underwent a rebrand to reflect our new legislative push featuring events in communities having waterway access issues. These community events are incredibly unique to the industry. The campaign is expansive and is comprised of a variety of resources including hang tags, metal boat ramp signs, downloadable graphics, print and digital ads, its own website, a compliance exam and more. There has been considerable effort in building this campaign to be one of the most respected educational campaigns in the industry.

2. What inspired your company to promote boating safety? Was this the first time doing so or has there been previous boating safety promotions?

Promoting boating safety is key to promoting and protecting our industry. Not only does boating safety support growth within the industry by cultivating a culture of responsibility and trust, but it can also lead to increased participation in our activities. We are enthusiastic about sharing our love of towed watersports and believe the best way to share that passion is by fostering a sense of confidence in recreational boaters. For the sustainability and success of our industry, we all must do our part to encourage safe and responsible boating practices on all waterways.

3. What partnerships, media coverage and/or opportunities have you received as a result of winning the award?

Since earning the Sea Tow Foundation’s award, we have seen an uptick in interest in our Wake Responsibly materials and events. The award reinvigorated communities to continue empowering excellence in towed water sports with advocacy, education, safety, and community. It is endearing to see just how impactful this campaign has become, and we are committed to continuing this level of excellence into the future.

4. What was a key takeaway you received as a result of working on this project or campaign?

Our key takeaway from the Wake Responsibly campaign is that collaboration is key. We are much more effective when we come together to foster peaceful environments on all our waterways. Our campaign relies on community connection and when we all do our part, we know we can protect the watersports we know and love. The watersports community is extraordinarily passionate, and we have loved seeing Wake Responsibly be a vehicle for which that passion thrives.