When Warren Freece founded Active Water Sports (AWS) back in the early 80s, he wanted to share his passion for water skiing and being out on the water with others. He knew how much enjoyment these and other water-based activities could bring to individuals and families.
The company’s slogan has always been “We take your fun seriously,” but along with that fun come certain responsibilities. AWS takes steps to ensure that those out on the water, especially in the boats they sell, stay safe.
“As the captain, you're responsible for every soul on board,” says Dan Lay, AWS General Manager. “So, before you leave the dock, you really need to do a safety check.”
But, how do boaters know what to check for and what precautions they should be taking? “This is the reason we do free boating clinics,” Lay explains. “When you’re buying a boat from us, and you’re unfamiliar with that type of boat, we'll take you out on the water to first make sure you like it. Then, upon delivery, we do our best to teach you things like how to back up the trailer, how to pull into a dock, what to look for and what to do and what not to do.”
AWS also puts a lot of time and money into making safety videos. This way, boaters who can’t make it to the classes can watch them, and others can go back and reference certain things as needed. These videos show everything from how and where to prep your boat to the areas that you need to avoid while wakesurfing and tactics to avoid other boat operators.
Even if someone didn’t buy a boat from AWS, he or she is welcome to attend the classes and watch the videos. The company understands that the more people are educated, the safer the water is for everyone.
“I encourage anyone that's going to be on the boat to take a class,” Lay says. “My daughter just turned 12, and she's old enough to get her own boating license. I want her to go through the course and read all the questions and figure out the answers because it will make her a safer, better boater in the future.”
“We just want to keep the good times rolling,” remarks Lay. He also recommends visiting the Oregon State Marine Board website, which has accurate and helpful information.
Routine maintenance of a boat is also important when it comes to safety. “You could be the safest person on the water as far as making sure you have the right kind of life jackets, air horns and paddles, but if you're not maintaining your boat by utilizing our service department or another service department, it could cause safety issues. You may find yourself unable to operate your boat because you haven't been taking proper care of it.”
Lay also advises making others on the boat aware of where the life jackets are, where the air horn is, and where the paddle is if the battery dies or the engine isn’t working. And, it’s always great to have a co-captain.
Today, AWS has four locations in Oregon — in Canby, Portland, Oregon City, and Redmond — and Freece is still the owner. “He's kind of taken a backseat and has let guys like me and Matt Radich, our president, take over the leadership role of running the company and directing the culture of Active Water Sports,” notes Lay.
Lay believes AWS has been a great success because of Freece and the team he has put together over the years. “None of us would have our jobs if it wasn’t for him.”
A large percentage of the AWS staff, including Lay, own a boat. “There really is something about being on the water — it's very therapeutic,” he states. “Once you step foot on that boat, all your worries just go out the window.”
“As the captain, you're responsible for every soul on board,”
-- Dan Lay, AWS General Manager