Upcoming Memorial Day weekend is also the unofficial kickoff this
summer,
and many will take the opportunity to hit the water
for the first time.
Now, as part of National Boating Week,
our crews stopped by Smith Mountain Lake to catch up
with some conservation officials to learn about boating safety.
They say taking precautions out of the water is so
important because one loss can impact the entire community,
whether you're in a kayak or a motor boat or
you were swimming off of your dock,
when someone loses a loved one,
it's not just that person.
It's their family. It's their mom,
their dad, their brother, their sister,
their community. If they're a young person,
you're talking about their school community.
It goes all the way across the gamut and it
really,
really effects the whole community.
VDWR officials say that there's a lot that goes into
staying safe on the water,
like making sure that you've got all the necessary safety
gear,
letting someone know when you're headed out and when you
plan to come back,
staying hydrated and never drinking alcohol and driving a boat.