Family friendly events planned at High Rock Lake on Saturday

To celebrate the start of the boating season at High Rock Lake, Alcoa and the High Rock River Rats are hosting a series of family-friendly events on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Buddle Creek Access Area in Lexington. A lake cleanup effort sponsored by the High Rock River Rats will take place at the same time.  

“We encourage everyone to come out to High Rock Lake on Saturday to enjoy a free hot dog, grab a free life jacket and learn how to stay safe on the lakes,” said Karen Baldwin, a natural resources manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. who spearheads the company’s water safety efforts.

“We want to use this kickoff event to remind families about the different ways they can protect themselves when they are swimming or boating.”

Activities will include:

Interactive Games:
Take part in fun, family friendly games and activities that reinforce the importance of water safety.



Boating Safety:
Representatives from NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and local law enforcement agencies will be there to share boating safety tips and show off the boats used to patrol the lakes and rescue those in need.

Free Life Jackets:
Alcoa will give away free life jackets to 100 children under 13 years old. NC law requires children under 13 to always wear a life jacket when on a boat.

Hot Dog Lunch:
Enjoy a hot dog lunch, courtesy of the High Rock River Rats



Lake Cleanup:
The High Rock River Rats and Piedmont Triad Regional Council’s Stormwater SMART program encourage people to join the cleanup effort and help keep High Rock Lake clean.

The Buddle Creek Access Area is located off Holloway Church Road in Lexington. A similar event will be held at Badin Lake in May.

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. has been sponsoring a water safety campaign at the lakes along the Yadkin River for more than 10 years. Providing free life jackets is one of several ways that Alcoa works with law enforcement agencies to promote water safety. The company also provides financial support to local sheriff departments for increased patrols of the lakes and sponsors an advertising campaign to remind people to “Put It On.”

North Carolina consistently ranks near the top of the list when it comes to boating. NC ranked 5th in the nation in boating accidents (139), 6th in boating injuries (90) and 10th in boating deaths (16) last year. Some of those accidents happened at High Rock Lake.

The number one cause of death in boating accidents is drowning, according to US Coast Guard. Statistics show that 77% of boating fatalities were the result of drowning.