Every time I see a TV show that includes positive scenes or references to people having fun in RV’s I grit my teeth! Why aren’t we seeing more references to boating on TV, I always vocally complain? Well, it appears it’s time for me to shut up -- boating is hitting the tube is a positive way – and we need to pause and acknowledge it.

For example, the popular host of NBC’s Today Show, Matt Lauer , recently revealed he’d purchased a new Boston Whaler 19’ and extolled the qualities of the boating lifestyle. As reported in NMMA’s Currents, Lauer, talking about his summer activities, said: “After years of resisting, I finally relented and my family and I got a boat. Not a big boat. It's definitely a beginner boat. I thought it was going to be a time-consuming nightmare to have a boat, but it turned out to be the home run of the summer! We got an enormous amount of use for it. We went on picnics, went tubing, fishing, just had a lot of fun with it,” he added.

Let’s face it, our industry’s national Discover Boating campaign couldn’t cast a more favorable image than that reflected in Lauer’s comments. He further shared his enthusiasm this way: “I can only hope that my son will be on a boat with his child someday, passing the passion along again. And I pray I'll be with them on that boat, too.”

Boating was also the central subject of “My Boys,” another popular TV prime time comedy show. It aired Sept. 11 on TBS. One of the show's main characters, Andy Franklin, announced he’d just bought a boat. He invites all his friends to join him for the official chistening and the action moves to dockside in a sunny, boat-filled Chicago harbor where Andy’s friends participate in the excitement of boating.

What’s the importance of all this TV exposure? It’s one more slice that will contribute to the long-term positive impact of our Grow Boating initiative and we should always take time to recognize these successes when we experience them. For a lot more updates you should be regularly checking in at www.growboating.org.

Norm Schultz recently received an award for his exceptional stewardship of Lake Erie. Click here to read more.