Arizona State Championship Registration to Close Thursday!
OutdoorHub 05.01.13
The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Arizona High School Fishing State Championship on Saturday, May 4. The event will be held in Mohave County on Lake Havasu in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., launching out of Lake Havasu Marina.
The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Check-in is from 6:30-8pm PST on Friday, May 3 at Lake Havasu Marina in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., with a mandatory rules briefing to follow. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.
“We are very excited to host the 2013 SAF Arizona High School Fishing State Championship. Our sponsorship underscores Lake Havasu City’s commitment to competitive fishing and to the youth of our state,” Director of Events Marketing at Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Elaine Cullen, stated. “Bass fishing is extremely popular on Lake Havasu, and we welcome these young anglers as they compete for scholarships and bragging rights! We encourage them to bring their big nets as Lake Havasu boasts one of the largest and most successful fish habitat improvement projects ever undertaken in the US.”
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW benefits, including FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The state champions from each state will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. Conference winners will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2014. All SAF members nationwide and all state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2013 High School Fishing World Finals. At these events students will compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team qualifying for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The National Champions will also receive a $5,000 scholarship each to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not a current 2013 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership benefits for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL SAF sanctioned events!
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. The Arizona Bass Federation offers these young anglers and their parents a home to participate in the sport of fishing locally and year round. Our partnership with FLW provides more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of too,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and their families have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by date registered. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering at check-in. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org
Mandatory Check-in: Friday, May 3, 6:30-8pm PST at Quality Inn & Suites, 271 S Lake Havasu Ave, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403; rules briefing to follow at 8pm.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 4 at Lake Havasu Marina, 1100 McCulloch Blvd N., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403. Takeoff is at first light and weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing. Questions? 580-765-9031
Host Hotel: Quality Inn & Suites, 271 S. Lake Havasu Ave, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403. Call (928) 855-1111 for reservations and ask for the group rate of $59 for one King, and $64 for two Queens.
