Water Safety Weekend at New River Gorge NR

Date: May 13, 2015
Contact: Richard Altaire, 304-465-2523

For Immediate Release                         CONTACT:

                        National Park Service

                        Richard Altare

                        304-465-2523

Water Safety Weekend in the New River Gorge, May 23 –25, 2015

Glen Jean, West Virginia,May 14, 2015– A frantic call for help, shocked and shattered family and friends standing on the riverbank, an agonizing search for a victim's body by park rangers and rescue personnel. It is the sad but true reality that every spring we prepare for this tragic, unnecessary, and easily preventable scenario in our beautiful area parks and waterways.

This Memorial Day Weekend (May 23 –25, 2015), the National Park Service at New River Gorge National River and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Bluestone Lake will present their annual Water Safety Weekend to help visitors safely prepare for the season's activities on area rivers and lakes. Activities led by park rangers will demonstrate simple water safety practices that everyone can use to protect their family and friends when recreating in or around area waterways.  Rangers will help you learn how to properly  wear and use of a PFD (personal flotation device) or life jacket, how to boat safety on whitewater and flatwater,  and ways to safely wade, fish and swim in West Virginia rivers and lakes.

Come out Saturday, May 23^rd and participating in the "Water Safety Roundup" from2:00 –4:00 p.m.at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center or the "River Ranger Rendezvous" at Sandstone Falls from2:00 –4:00 p.m.Please don't miss the Water Safety Festival from1:00 –4:00 p.m.on Sunday, May 24^th. To wrap the weekend up, join us from2:00 –4:00 p.m.onMay 25that Sandstone Fall for our "River Ranger Rendezvous".

Anyone attending the programs at Canyon Rim and at Bluestone Lake will receive a free "I Got Caught Being Safe" t-shirt. 

About the National Park Service

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more atwww.nps.gov. Learn more about parks near you;find your park and share your park stories at www.FindYourPark.com.