Steve Johnson

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The headline begins this column with a maxim relating to your vessel. But it is much more profound. “Whatever floats your boat,” was apparently first used in the middle of last century, referring to making a personal decision about a particular subject or task. It also basically implied indifference, which also directly references boating safety, or lack thereof. Although the phrase’s meaning is not connected to a boat, it has a critical lateral message, something we will discuss further in more detail.

Summer boating season is almost here. Each day brings something unique and unexpected. My objective for the month of May is to remind everyone of risk management and water safety, by celebrating National Safe Boating Week, May 22-28.

Boating statistics aren’t subject to personal opinion. The numbers conclusively point to drowning as the leading cause of death in water-related accidents. According to published information found in the U.S. Coast Guard brochure, How to Choose the Right Life Jacket: “One-half of all recreational boating fatalities happen in calm water.” If you want to understand more about preventing incidents such as these

Steve Johnson

Boating Safety

n MORE INFO:

Steve@CPOJohnson.com, www.cpojohnson.com or obtain a copy of the brochure, contact the USCG Auxiliary, America’s Boating Club, or a recreational boating safety program partner.

Of course, accidents always occur unexpectedly. There are many boating safety elements that can reduce the chance of accidents, but not all components are equal in benefit – some even unintentionally regarded with complacency. The most critical aspect, and also the easiest to apply, is wearing a properly fitting life jacket.

Please prepare for the possibility of needing the extra buoyancy when something happens and that moment arrives.

Maybe the old saying of “Whatever floats your boat,” needs to read, “Whatever floats YOU and your boat.”

Steve Johnson, US Coast Guard (ret). is with CPO Johnson, Inc.

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sociation Sprint Canoe/Kayak National Team Trial in Sarasota, Fl. She also won the single 500meters race.

Said Harrison, “I think I was more nervous that I expected.” The 18-year-old reflected on her first races of 2021. “I haven’t raced the other girls within the U.S. for almost two years, so it was a little nerve-wracking.”

LCKC athlete Stanton Collins also experienced a little anxiety in the 20-meter single kayak final against teammate Owen Farley- CollinsKlacik. The 26year-old Gainesville native said “This was a tricky race for me because it was the first time I raced since 2019. Getting back in racing mode was tough for me to do after such a long break.”

Farley-Klacik said it was fun giving his older teammate and mentor a challenge. The Gainesville native won the men’s double kayak 1000-meter race with teammate, Alex Lee.

Shaye Hatchette, a newer Gainesville resident, also earned a spot on the National team, finishing second in the single kayak 200 and in a double kayak 500 meters with partner Kaitlin McElroy, Hatchette of Oklahoma. Hatchette, a former gymnast who has been training three years with LCKC, was one of the winners of a USA Canoe training camp competition, “The Next Olympic Hopeful” in 2018.

Collins, who has been paddling with LCKC since he was nine years old, has made the Games a goal for most of his life. He and other LCKC athletes have a final chance to qualify May 2023 in the International Canoe Federation Olympic Qualifier in Barnaul, Russia. Normally, Olympic hopefuls from the Americas race for Olympic slots at the Pan American Games; however the event in Brazil was canceled.

Szadovsky explained that in Russia athletes will be racing for quota spots allocated to the country, not the athletes who earned them, allowing countries the choice of who they will send to the Games.

“Potentially every slot is open Szadovszki – the athlete just needs to earn the Olympic quota,” he said.

In April, Collins prepared for his time to shine in Russia. “There’s a lot more to do between now and when I go race for an Olympic quota in Russia, but I’m excited to do the work.”

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The only thing not original about it is that the electrical system has been up graded from six to 12 volts and the generator has been replaced by an alternator. I understand that at any one time he is working on a couple of these boats in his shop.

Driving past these beauties each day, as nice as it is to admire them on dry land, I cannot wait for the warmer weather to see them out on the lake. Mendes has been sailing all his life and on Lake Lanier for the past 25 years. His family owns a marina/bar/restaurant so he has plenty of real life experiences to draw from. His favorite line: “You can’t make this stuff up.”