BOAT WRECK VIDEO GOES VIRAL
Millions of people got a stark reminder of the importance of wearing a
PFD and connecting a kill switch while operating a bass boat when Hunter
Bland and Conner Young of the University of Florida Bass Fishing Team
shared a GoPro video on YouTube of them being ejected from their bass
boat. It happened dur-
ing takeoff at the FLW
College Fishing
Southeastern
Conference event at
Lake Seminole on Jan.
14. In the video, which
was posted a couple of
days after the accident,
the boat can be seen
traveling at a high rate
of speed, then sudden-
ly hooking to the star-
board side. Both
anglers were thrown
out over the port gunwale. Each was wearing a life jacket, and the kill switch
shut off the big motor.
The video, which had more than 1.2 million views on YouTube at press
time, was picked up by several national media outlets, including CNN. Bland
and Young were OK, and the young anglers used the attention that the
video garnered to promote boater safety. For the record, FLW rules require
that anglers wear an approved PFD and connect an outboard kill switch
while any gas combustion engine is in operation.
COLuMbIa
OutFItS FLW
FLW and Columbia
Sportswear recently reached
an agreement for Columbia
to become the official
apparel outfitter of FLW. For
more about the Oregon-
based brand known for its
innovative apparel, footwear,
accessories and equipment
for anglers and outdoor
enthusiasts, visit
Columbia.com.
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T HE ULT
T I MAT
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