APRA STRESSES POKER RUN SAFETY AT INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT MEET

Safe boating was the key concern at the recently held 6th Annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit in Daytona Beach, Florida. The four-day event, which took place at the Adams Mark Hotel, was attended by high-profile officials representing water law enforcement in the United States, Canada and overseas. The recently established American Poker Runs Association (APRA) poker run sanctioning body received an exclusive invitation to give a special presentation discussing safe and commonsense boating practices that are strictly enforced on every APRA-sanctioned event "The topics focused on a number of major concerns, including alcohol use and PFDs," said Larry Boyd, APRA director of marketing. "Our PowerPoint presentation was applauded by attendees who commended us for our longstanding commitment to safety, including the total ban on alcohol consumption and mandatory wearing of life jackets or PFDs during the poker run. These are only two of several commonsense regulations we have strictly enforced for the past 15 years. In fact, delegates were so impressed by our commitment to and focus on safety that they kept the question-and-answer session at the end of our presentation open for over 40 minutes." The well-attended summit also featured a mini trade show, with exhibitors displaying a variety of safety equipment, including PFDs, breathalyzers and even a pair of glasses that replicated the effects of alcohol impairment.

"It was an excellent opportunity for APRA to show the delegates and organizations who write and enforce the water laws that performance boaters, all boaters, who participate in APRA-sanctioned poker runs are knowledgeable and responsible individuals.

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Bill Taylor, APRA President

"I'm not saying that events that are not APRA poker runs are unsafe. Many, like Dave Patnaude's NJPPC poker runs also adhere to safety on the water. But every once in a while we hear about events that are footloose and fancy-free. Poker runners who openly flaunt safety basics are only endangering themselves and fellow boaters. APRA's mandate is to ensure that poker runs will continue to be safe, fun-filled family events," said Boyd.

To further ensure that all APRA members organize safe events, the American Poker Runs Association provides a comprehensive operations manual focusing on performance boating safety, event rules and regulations, organizational background, and complete set-up instructions.

"A poker run is not a race," says APRA president Bill Taylor. "It is a fun-filled performance weekend and entire families can and do take part. Speed has no bearing on the winner. It's the team with the best hand that wins." APRA, which now represents more than 20 events, is building rapport with boat and engine manufacturers, government regulatory bodies, environmental action groups and fish and wildlife organizations. Because of these efforts, APRA has been able to affiliate itself with a major insurance provider and can offer liability coverage for organizers and members.

For more information, contact Larry Boyd, American Poker Runs Association, 14100 Oakland Avenue, Highland Park, MI 48203. Call 800/354-9145 or e-mail Larryrboyd@hotmail.com

For more information on the National Safe Boating Council, contact Executive Director Virgil Chambers at 740/666-3009 or visit www.safeboatingcouncil.org.