BASS CLUB BONES UP ON BOATING

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992                   TAG: 9202220115
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: BS-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
BASS CLUB BONES UP ON BOATING
Gary Nichols has been operating boats for 25 years, including a high-speed bass tournament craft.
That makes him an unlikely candidate for a boating safety course.
But last year, Nichols, an officer in the Franklin County Bassmasters, decided he would take a course offered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
"I'll tell you, I walked into that boating course and they taught me things."
The motivation for Nichols was a lower premium on his boat insurance. But he found benefits far beyond economics.
So he recommended the course to his fellow bass club members. Some 13, out of 15, took the challenge.
"We had a great time," said Nichols "We made a Saturday out of it. There was a sense of fellowship and accomplishment."
Nichols now recommends the idea to other bass clubs. As for his own, members are talking about more advanced instruction that will include cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB