So, Jackson Kayak heads back to its roots – rivers – to sponsor the River Bassin Tournament Trail that was announced today. Below is the official release I put out a few minutes ago.
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2014 River Bassin’ Tournament Trail  Presented by Jackson Kayak

National paddle-powered fishing trail offers over 35 events, over 70K in prizes

January 21, 2014: In spring, 2014, the largest eco-friendly kayak, canoe, man-powered fishing tournament trail – the River Bassin’ Tournament Trail presented by Jackson Kayak – will set sail.
Anglers from across the U.S. will fish our nation’s rivers and creeks to catch and release a variety of black bass. Before releasing their catch, competitors will take a photo of the fish on a measuring board. At tournaments end the angler and team with the longest combined catch will earn the victory.

The River Bassin’ Trail is designed for both the beginner and the more experienced, competitive angler to enjoy. The tour will put on “local” and “regional” events that offer individual, team and youth divisions to enter. The tournaments will be based out of specialty kayak/fishing shops and each will lead up to the National Championship in Wetumpka, AL, on November 8^th.

Local stops are low-key and less intimidating, whereas the regional events offer bigger prizes and an appearance from tournament trail founder and MC Drew Gregory, director Jameson Redding and coordinator Brooks Beatty. Gregory hosts the lively “Results Show”, where anglers are recognized on stage. At both local and regional stops anglers and teams will also earn “series points” that will allow them the opportunity to compete at the National Championship for the Jackson Kayak River Basser of the Year and Subaru’s River Bassin’ Team of the Year.

The trail will be maintained online via new software that was designed by the River Bassin’ staff to make catch-photo-release tournaments easier and more enjoyable for anglers, fans and sponsors. It requires little effort from staff, which is what affords the trail the ability to have over 35 stops nationwide. The new website boasts many features including “live scoring,” where anglers can, and are encouraged to, use smart phones while on the water to submit their catch. The submitted photos and fish score (length) for each angler is immediately applied to the online leader board where fans can instantly watch the drama unfold! Standard digital cameras are still allowed as well.

Drew exclaimed, “I’m thrilled to bring this unique tournament series back because it highlights some of the most wild waters on the planet! These waters also happen to be the most abused and neglected by our society, and the reality is we’re doomed if they don’t keep flowing clean and pure. The added bonus of seeing the look on the winner’s faces is just the icing on top!”

About River Bassin’ Tournament Trail: The organization <riverbassintrail.com> was founded in 2010 by professional kayak angler Drew Gregory, who is most well known for his signature series kayak, the Jackson Kayak Coosa, and subsequent models he helped develop with Jackson Kayak. Drew’s passion for the sport has landed him on numerous TV and radio shows over the past several years, and helped establish him as one of the young sport’s pioneers. His passion for his first love, river fishing, is what led him to start the River Bassin’ Tournament Trail.

Top Sponsors: Jackson Kayak, GoPro, Subaru, Sperry Top-Sider, Bending Branches, YakAttack, RAM Mounts, Manley Rods, KayakFishingSupplies.com, Sportsman Channel, YakAngler.com, Smith Optics, Kayak Angler Mag, Kayak Fish Mag, Suunto, Raymarine, Power-Pole, Goal Zero, RiverBassin.com

River Bassin’ Trail Staff: Drew Gregory; Founder/MC – 706-540-4280 Jameson Redding; Director – 336-244-7616  Brooks Beatty; Coordinator – 704-564-5718 Gary Shimer; Marketing/PR – 678-862-8720  Noah Heck; Tournament Manager, Software – 724-989-1630