Sauk Rapids, Minn., company to sponsor all 12 tournament trails
FLW Outdoors announced today that Stearns, the industry leader in marine safety equipment, has reached a partnership with the world’s premier tournament-fishing organization. In 2007, Sospenders will be the official personal flotation device of FLW Outdoors, and Stearns® DryWear® will serve as the organization’s official rain gear.
Stearns’ life jackets and rain gear are manufactured with the expertise of more than 50 years’ experience. Sospenders inflatable PFDs are lightweight and allow freedom of movement while providing maximum buoyancy. Sospenders PFDs are ideal for the competitive angler, allowing for a total focus on fishing while still adhering to the best safety practices possible. Sospenders PFDs come in both automatic and manual types and are U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
Stearns DryWear rain gear offers 100-percent waterproof protection thanks to its lightweight, durable construction and welded seams. Both the Stearns and Sospenders product lines will be used by the FLW Outdoors operations staff.
FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans said: “The safety of our anglers is always our foremost concern. We believe Sospenders PFDs are the best PFD for a competitive angler. We encourage them to wear it because it keeps them safe while allowing them to participate in the sport they love without restriction. Stearns’ rain gear is also an excellent selection for keeping an angler dry amid the worst of conditions. In my mind, this partnership makes perfect sense.”
Per the agreement, Stearns and Sospenders will have a presence on all 12 tournament trails administered by FLW Outdoors. Stearns’ products will also receive placement in the Emmy-nominated “FLW Outdoors” TV program on FSN as well as prominent advertisements in FLW Outdoors Magazine and on the FLWOutdoors website. Other marketing opportunities will include displays and participation in the Family Fun Zone, signage at tournaments and public-relations materials.
According to Paul Ebnet, president of Stearns: “We are pleased to be affiliated with the FLW Outdoors organization as the official sponsor of Sospenders PFDs and Stearns life jackets and rain gear. We feel this is a perfect fit with Stearns as the world leader in marine safety equipment partnering with the world’s premier tournament-fishing organization.”
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, call (270) 252-1000.
By: Dave Washburn, vp comm, FLW Outdoors
