Anderson Open Combines TBF/FLW Tour Event Open and South Carolina High School State Championship
OutdoorHub 01.23.14
he Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW is pleased to host and combine the Student Angler Federation, (SAF) South Carolina state championship and the Anderson Open.
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 Friday, March 7 at Crescent High School in Iva, S.C.
“Jennifer Norman and Neil Paul at Visit Anderson have done a terrific job of helping us combine these exciting events and we’re looking forward to another great one in South Carolina,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “With the FLW Pro’s fishing Lake Hartwell, we’ll take advantage of a terrific fishery in Lake Russell and a newly renovated Mountain View Park.”
“State championships allow every SAF member in North America the opportunity to fish in a championship tournament setting,” Gintert continued. “This year, with the help of our partners at FLW, we’re expanding the program again by offering more advancement opportunities based on field size. In 2014, the top 10% of the field will advance. This rewards areas of the country working hard to grow the sport of high school fishing.”
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. Membership includes full TBF and FLW benefits, FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for clubs and students. The top 10% of each SAF state championship and the top 3 teams from any SAF National OPEN event will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. The top 10% of each conference championship will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held spring of 2015 in conjunction with a major TBF or FLW event. The National Champions win a $5,000 college scholarship to the school or their choice. All SAF members nationwide and all open and state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2014 High School Fishing World Finals. At the 2013 World Finals, over $40,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded. As with all SAF national events, there is no entry fee to this come one, come all, family vacation event that gives every high school team a shot at thousands in scholarships and prizes.
If you’re not a 2014 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL National SAF events!
A unique SAF event feature is the “angler testing” component. It’s not “just about fishing” but also about education. This year’s angler testing will come from TBF’s new on-line education format with Faculty of Fishing. Anglers can go to highschoolfishing.org and click on “Online Education” then type in their SAF number and zip code to access the FOF site. They have a host of chapters covering a wide variety of topics. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” Gintert said. “We built education into the foundation of the entire program when we began, and our partnership with FLW provides even more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and 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, March 7 at Crescent High School located at 9104 Highway 81 South, Iva, SC 29655. Registration is 6-7:30pm with the rules meeting immediately following.
The Crescent High School Fishing Team will be offering a fundraiser dinner for the anglers at registration. For $5 anglers can purchase a sandwich, chips and a drink.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, March 8 at Mountain View Park with take-off at first safe light and the weigh-in at 3pm.
