The Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association’s new Boating Awareness event is set to be held this Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, at the Fort Myers City Yacht Basin in downtown Fort Myers.

With free admission, “Welcome to the Water” is designed to educate the public about all that boating has to offer in Southwest Florida.

“Southwest Florida is one of the finest and most diverse boating areas in the country,” said SWFMIA President Tom Hansen. “Boating, fishing, diving, kayaking, canoeing and many other watersports activities are available in one form or another, to almost everyone in our community. I don’t think people have any idea of the opportunities available to get out on the water. We hope our first Welcome to the Water event will help get that word out.”

There will be displays by a variety of local boating organizations, marine businesses, government agencies and other organizations that offer boating information to the public. There will be displays of different types of boats to show the variety of styles of boats that are available for many different purposes. There will even be boats in water with limited free boat rides available to the general public.

Several tents will be set up with seminars and information on a number of different topics;

– Fishing Seminars – The Nautical Mile

– Diving – Caloosa Dive Club

– Kayaking and paddlesports – Florida Paddlesports

– Boat & Engine Maintenance – Lee County High Tech Center Central

– Kid’s Casting Contest & Activities – Lee County 4H Eco Anglers

– Demo Dock with Limited Free Boat Rides to the public

Free dockage is offered, as available, for those wishing to come by boat (contact the Yacht Basin on Channel 16 before tying up). Food and drinks will be served on site plus there are many restaurants within a short walk in the downtown area.

Welcome to the Water will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The yacht basin is located at 1300 Lee St., Fort Myers. There will be plenty of parking available throughout the downtown area.

For more information, contact John Good at the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association, at 239-656-7083 or info@swfmia.com. www.swfmia.com.