Kickoff the summer at Badin Lake on Saturday

To celebrate the start of the summer recreation season at Badin Lake, Alcoa is joining forces with local law enforcement agencies to host a series of family-friendly activities on Saturday, May 30 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Badin Lake Access Area located off Hwy. 740 in Badin.

“We encourage everyone to come out to Badin Lake on Saturday to enjoy a free snow cone, 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 event to remind families about the different ways they can protect themselves when they are swimming or boating in the lake.”

Special guests will include Joe Teti, a Stanly County resident who is co-star of the Discovery Channel show "Dual Survival."

“A lot of people have seen Joe putting his survival skills to work on TV. We want to remind everyone to put their survival skills to work when they are at the lake: Always wear a life jacket. Don't drink alcohol when you are operating a boat or swimming in the lake. Always keep a close eye on your children,” Baldwin said.

Activities will include:

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



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

Boating Safety Tips:
 Representatives from the Stanly County Sheriffs Office, Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand to share boating safety tips, provide free boating safety inspections, and showcase the boats used to patrol the lakes and rescue those in need.

Kids Characters: There will be special appearances by Spiderman and Elsa.

Animals from Dan Nicholas Park

Live Broadcast by WSPC

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.

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.