SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Truckee River Foundation provides free safety gear and river safety classes
The Truckee River Foundation (TRF) will host the seventh annual Stay Afloat Safety Fair on Saturday, July 16, 2011, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a day of free river safety classes for kids and parents. Through its River Safety Fair, TRF has distributed more than 500 free water safety helmets and personal flotation devices to kids that play in the Truckee River Whitewater Park.
“This year, river safety education among kids is more important than ever before,” Debbie Leonard, a member of the TRF Board of Directors said. “Significant winter snowpack has contributed to extremely high flows, rough currents and cold water in the Truckee River, so we encourage all families to come out to learn, or simply get a refresher course in river safety.”
Throughout the day, the Stay Afloat Safety Fair offers free 50-minute workshops for kids age six to 13 that cover proper fitting of a personal flotation device and helmet, how to safely maneuver in the currents and eddies and how to escape potentially dangerous situations in the water. Each participant will be able to keep the equipment free of charge upon completing the course. With only three to four children per instructor and safety personnel in the water and on shore throughout the event, this is an intensive, must-attend workshop. In addition, advanced classes using boogie boards are available for kids who have successfully completed the introductory workshop. Reservations are not required and workshops are first come, first serve.
TRF started the Stay Afloat Fair as a direct result of the enthusiastic response received from the community’s youth who have played in the downtown river since construction of the Truckee River Whitewater Park. Funds from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the City of Reno and the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows allow TRF to offer the event in 2011 by providing proper water equipment and educational clinics geared toward understanding safe river recreation.
Sponsors include: The Nevada Department of Wildlife Boater Safety Program, the City of Reno, the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Model Dairy and GoodStanding Outreach. For more information about the Truckee River Foundation and its Stay Afloat Safety Fair, call Debbie Leonard at (775) 788-2000 or visit www.TruckeeRiverFoundation.org.
The Truckee River Foundation (TRF) is a non-profit organization created to provide environmental education, safety and athlete development programs centered around the Truckee River.
