NMTA Grow Boating Committee provides grant/loan funding to 18 Northwest boating programs

                                                                                                   April 2, 2018

SEATTLE – The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Grow Boating Grant Program announced it has given $24,072 in funding or loan opportunities to 18 boating programs in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the past 15 years the program has invested around $2-million in funding to non-profit groups or organizations that help boost the number of boaters and watercraft users and encourages boaters to use their boat more often. The Grow Boating Program is funded through a surcharge on square-footage rented during the Seattle Boat Show.

This year 28 applicants submitted a request of $128,000, and the Grow Boating Committee members spent the past two months pouring over the requests, which were all noteworthy in one way or another.

Those awarded in 2018 with funding cover a very diverse area that includes everything from power and sail boats; smaller watercraft like kayaks, canoes and paddle- and sail-boards; equipment and gear; promotional and marketing funding; to educational youth events and outreach programs.

The NMTA Grow Boating Committee oversees the management and allocation of NMTA's regional Grow Boating fund, and determines what programs, events and promotions should be undertaken to encourage boating in the Northwest.

2018 Grant funding was awarded to:

•Gratitude Sailing that promotes social and spiritual wellness of those with ‘ongoing” or “once in a lifetime” crisis of a physical, mental, or social nature through sailing.

•Clam Island Rowing offers high-school age students in the Bremerton, Silverdale and surrounding Kitsap County region a chance to participate in a class-based rowing program with scholarships top at-risk teens.

•The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle has a public sailing event titled CastOFF! on Lake Union that has benefitted thousands of people to the joys of boating for more than 25 years.

•Columbia Gorge Racing Association has offered sailing programs for the past 11 years in the Cascade Locks to introduce young sailors to the love of the sport, and strives to change the lives of those in economic hard hit surrounding communities.

•Community Boating Center of Bellingham targets youth who are new to boating in their “Experience Sailing” program as well as helping disadvantaged youth to engage in their free programs once they’ve taken the class.

•The Dominion Historical Workboat Association works with City of Bremerton and local schools to offer free experiences aboard, focusing on those new to boating especially youth and underrepresented people.

•PNW Chapter of ACBS provides free boat rides to the public at the Renton River Days (July 27-29) Boat Show. Youth age 12 and under are given lifejackets as well as provided to all adults during boat rides. Last year’s event, provided more than 500 boat rides.

•Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club has without obligation free human powered boating to kids and even their parents at the Paddle, Splash & Play event. This year’s event is Aug. 11 at Nine Mile Recreation Area in Nine Mile Falls.

•The Friday Harbor Power Squadron offers the public how to handle their boat and/or rental boat with a classroom and on-water exercises to gain confidence and awareness of boating safety.

•Sail Sand Point in North Seattle strives to provide program that benefits underserved youth, adults and families a chance to experience getting on the water sailing, paddling and exploring the marine environment in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

•Oregon Boating Foundation in Newport, OR, partners with the Port of Toledo to host “Free Family Boating” in the summer, which is designed to lower the barrier to entry for the public to try sailing and kayaking for free. They also offer affordable summer youth programs.

•Founded in 1965, the Renton Sailing Center offers a free introductory sailing opportunity to the public the “Experience Renton Sailing Event” and also has four small boat sailing classes open to all levels of ability.

•Youth Marine Foundation in Tacoma provides youth a chance to hop aboard boats, learn seamanship and touch the waters of Puget Sound. Their 2018 program called “Sails & Trails” summer camp offers 90 to 100 youth age 11 to 15 to enjoy and teach the skills of boating.

•Since 2011, the Duwamish Rowing Club has brought the sport of rowing and boating to youth and the people within local South Seattle communities of South Park, Georgetown and the surrounding Duwamish Valley area.

•Sound Experience has operated the 133-foot gaff-rigged Schooner Adventuress since 1989 to provide more than 50,000 youth with effective educational programs. Their work force development has also produced a good number of people employed in the boating industry

•The Point Defiance Marina-Metro Parks of Tacoma has a unique program during “Free Fishing Weekend “in June that mixes sport-fishing and power boating to the public. They also offer a wide-range of public opportunities to get more people on the water.

•Founded in 1995, the Sammamish Rowing provides on the water exposure for all levels of youth to adults to the sport of rowing in their state-of-the-art facility. The club strives to be an inclusive program that excels in all aspects of the sport.

•Gig Harbor BoatShop provides classic small-craft for community use and gives access of boats to patrons that otherwise might not be able to discover the joys and ease of boating.

About the Northwest Marine Trade Association

The NMTA is the nation’s largest regional marine association. It represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry, including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA’s mission is to promote the growth of recreational boating and members’ businesses. The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest boat show and the Northwest Paddling Festival. Details: http://www.nmta.net/.

Other notable Grow Boating accomplishments

•Promotes fishing opportunities to more than 40,000 participants in derbies as part of the www.NorthwestSalmonDerbySeries.com. This year’s derby series consists of 15 events across the Pacific Northwest and has seen growth in derby participation since derby series began in 2004.

•Provided thousands of boat rides during free boat ride events held in Issaquah, Renton and Tacoma between 2003 and 2017. Provided sailboat rides to hundreds of people during 2017 Downtown Sailing Series. Attracted more than 800 people interested in going for a sailboat ride during the summer.

•Supported local boating clubs and youth programs through the distribution of grant funds aimed at growing boating.