Ontario-based Project Wakesurf and founder Timmy McNamee are raising awareness about boating safety, watersports education, and the positive impact time on the water can have on mental well-being.
OTTAWA, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 8, 2026 / As wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational boating continue to grow across North America, Project Wakesurf is encouraging boaters and watersports enthusiasts to place greater focus on safety education, responsible boat operation, and mental wellness through outdoor recreation.
Founded by professional wakesurfer and coach Timmy McNamee, Project Wakesurf has spent years teaching individuals how to safely operate wakeboats, tow watersports participants, and build confidence on the water. The company now hopes to spark broader conversations around education and awareness within the rapidly expanding watersports industry.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, recreational boating contributes more than $230 billion annually to the U.S. economy, while participation in tow sports and wakeboat ownership has steadily increased over the past decade. At the same time, boating safety organizations continue to emphasize the importance of operator education and proper training, particularly as larger wakeboats become more common on waterways.
McNamee says many new boat owners enter the sport without enough real-world knowledge about towing, waterway awareness, or safe operation practices.
“The goal has always been to introduce as many people as possible to the love and thrill of the water and watersports,” said McNamee. “But with that comes responsibility. The more education and confidence people have, the safer and more enjoyable the experience becomes for everyone.”
Project Wakesurf has helped train and certify hundreds of individuals in boat driving, tow sport operation, and boating safety practices through clinics and one-on-one instruction across North America. In 2022, McNamee also worked with Canada and USA Boat Safety to help create The Wakeboat Course, an online educational program focused specifically on tow boats and wake sports safety.
The initiative comes at a time when safety advocates continue encouraging recreational boaters to pursue additional education. The U.S. Coast Guard has consistently reported that the majority of fatal boating accidents involve operators with no formal boating instruction.
For McNamee, the conversation extends beyond physical safety.
Project Wakesurf is also using its platform to raise awareness about the positive impact watersports and outdoor recreation can have on mental health and emotional well-being.
“Given the water has always been an outlet and my happy place, I wanted to share my passion for the water even more,” McNamee said. “Especially with those that may be struggling mentally or have their own internal struggles.”
McNamee has openly discussed facing personal mental health challenges while continuing to build her business and career in watersports. She says the water repeatedly became a source of clarity and recovery during difficult moments.
“Each time the water is what ends up saving me and pulling me through,” she said.
Mental health experts have increasingly pointed to the benefits of outdoor recreation, physical activity, and time spent near water. Studies published in environmental psychology and wellness research have linked water-based activities to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and lower anxiety.
McNamee believes those benefits are part of what makes boating and watersports meaningful beyond competition or recreation alone.
“My success in this industry is how many smiles and unforgettable memories I can create on the water,” she said. “And how many individuals I can make calm and confident as boat drivers and tow sport operators.”
Project Wakesurf is encouraging boaters and watersports enthusiasts to take proactive steps on their own by learning proper towing practices, investing time into boating education, respecting waterways, and prioritizing safety for riders, passengers, and nearby boaters.
The company also encourages individuals to spend more intentional time outdoors, disconnect from daily stress, and build healthy routines that support both physical and mental wellness.
“I’ve always trusted my heart and intuition,” McNamee said. “Life can be lived outside the norm. Outside the everyday race and chaos.”
For Project Wakesurf, the long-term mission remains simple: create safer waterways, stronger boating knowledge, and positive experiences that leave a lasting impact on people both on and off the water.’
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Project Wakesurf
Project Wakesurf is an Ontario-based watersports and boating education company founded by professional athlete and coach Timmy McNamee. The company provides wakesurf, waterski, wakeboard, and boating lessons, along with tow boat safety clinics and private instruction across North America. Project Wakesurf also helped develop The Wakeboat Course in partnership with Canada and USA Boat Safety, promoting education, confidence, and safety within the boating and watersports industry.
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SOURCE: Project Wakesurf
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