Boating Kids Get Their Own Club

Boat/US Magazine, Nov, 2000

Most people who begin boating as children continue the sport the rest of their lives and yet, curiously, there's never been a boating magazine for the younger generation. Not until now, anyway. Welcome to Next Wave, the BoatU.S. publication and club just for kids.

Just in time for holiday gift-giving Next Wave comes in a special package -- for $19.99, that includes a copy of the first issue of the magazine, a really cool tee-shirt, a specially designed Next Wave lanyard, glitter stickers and a card to fill out for a free introductory membership in the BoatU.S. Next Wave Club. Beginning in March, kids' club members will receive the first of six more issues of Next Wave magazine and be able to access an interactive Web site just for club members at www.BoatUS.com.

"The first issue of Next Wave has some really exciting activities for kids of all ages," said Beth McCann, Next Wave club director. "We have book reviews, puzzles and games, a story on wakeboarding, astronomy and weather information, and special tips on taking good photos while you're having fun on the water. This last article is especially important, because we're also going to hold a photo contest with great prizes for the winners," she said.

"Since this club is all about kids, we're going to be looking for some to be roving reporters and photographers for Next Wave," McCann said. "We know Next Wave is going to make a real splash."

To order Next Wave holiday gift packages for the special kids on your list, go online to www.BoatUS.com/store, visit one of the 55 BoatU.S. Marine Centers, or call 800-937-9307 to order by phone.

The Twelve Months of Christmas

If a tropical island hideaway or a 75-foot yacht is outside your holiday gift budget, consider a gift membership to BoatU.S. instead. For just $14, a BoatU.S. membership brings your boating friends a year-round subscription to BOAT/U.S. Magazine, where they'll enjoy articles on boating issues no other magazine covers; our 700-page catalog filled with the best boating equipment and products in the country, along with consumer and how-to tips; special member discounts at all the BoatU.S. Marine Centers and online at www.BoatUS.com; and the opportunity for significant savings on fuel, slips and repairs at any of the more than 500 BoatU.S. Cooperating Marinas and on-the-water towing benefits.

If it's been a good year (or you're buying gifts for good friends), why not spring for TowBoatU.S. unlimited towing assistance? It's still less than $100 for the BoatU.S. membership and unlimited towing. Peace of mind on the water, knowing that a member of the TowBoatU.S. fleet is just a radio or cell phone call away in case trouble strikes, is a gift you'll be remembered for.

Clean Water Grants

To support local boating groups that want to help protect the marine environment, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is once again making small grants available. "Clean Water" grants of up to $2,000 may be applied for by local nonprofit volunteer organizations. The deadline for proposals is Feb. 1.

In 2000, the Foundation awarded a total of $11,163 toll community groups to do everything from removing marine debris and building oyster floats to holding poster contests for inner city youth and stenciling storm drains. To request an application packet, call 703-823-9550, ext. 3824 or e-mail jpereira@BoatUS.com. Also visit the Web at BoatUS.com/cleanwater.

Trivia Challenge Winners

From April to August, 50 BoatU.S. members -- 10 a month -- have won gift certificates for $100 apiece just for recommending at least one new BoatU.S. member. These members' names were drawn BOAT/U.S. from the thousands who took part in this year's BoatU.S. Trivia Challenge.

In January, a drawing will be held for the Grand Prize, a week-long crewed charter for two aboard the sailing yacht Topaz in the Virgin Islands. Everyone who has entered is eligible for the grand prize drawing and, in the meantime, congratulations to the $100 gift certificate winners. They are:

APRIL: David Costello, East Falmouth, MA; Gilbert Deming, Kenosha, WI; Lloyd Haag, Baltimore, MD; Luther Hill, Tarpon Springs, FL; Harold Moran, College Park, MD; David Poss, Sr., Pensacola, FL; Victor Seeber, Hillsboro, OR; Capt. John Stawicki, Hockessin, DE; Jerry Sword, Tacoma, WA; Ronald Williams, Mechanicsville, VA.

MAY: Rudy Bouso, Miami, FL; Edward Callahan, Crofton, MD; Rob Cuddihy, Punta Gorda, FL; James Eilbacher, Mendham, NJ; Bryce Kell, Millville, NJ; James Moore, Gainesville, GA; Stuart Perlow, Boca Raton, FL; John Vacco, West Islip, NY; Thomas Woloszyk, Newport, MI; Ed Woods, Baltimore, MD.

JUNE: Torrence Chandler, Auburn, ME; Walter Ciociola, Dagsboro, DE; Jack De Bell, Stuart, FL; George De Ritter, Landenberg, PA; Perb Fortner, Decatur, GA; Joseph Kocinski, Mastic Beach, NY;

Steve Sanford, Norcross, GA; Clifford Wentland, Oak Creek, WI; Jeanne White, West Roxbury, MA; J. Richard Yetke, Naperville, IL.

JULY: Louis Bickel, Sea Girt, NJ; Charles Clerici, Poughquag, NY; Steven Drew, Greensboro, NC; Charles Lloyd, Baltimore, MD; Ron Mauthe, Wappingers, FL; Gerald Palmer, Sodus Point, NY; Richard Reed, Kaunakakai, HI; James Ruark, Salisbury, MD; Dan Standinger, Plainview, MN; Scott Wager, Bogota, NJ.