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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007
T A K I NG I DE A S TO COM P L E T I ON
Mike Ammon
Program Analyst/Contract
Administrator, 1974–2007
Retired Annuitant,
2007–present
Mike Ammon is another long-time Cal Boating employee who just
could not stay away after he quit working. Although he officially
retired in July 2007 after 33 years with Cal Boating, Mike continues to
work one day a week as a retired annuitant in his favorite area, Boating
Trails, where he is involved in improving public access for car-top
vessels such as canoes, kayaks, rafts, and sailboards.
Prior to joining Cal Boating, Mike graduated from Sacramento State
University with a degree in social science and served five years as an
officer in the U.S. Air Force. He began his long stint at Cal Boating in
1974, working on boating safety issues. A high incidence of white water
accidents at this time had prompted Cal Boating to concentrate on this
problem. Boating safety and education played a large role in shaping
Mike’s career, and he was instrumental in developing the school safety
equipment program. “Cal Boating supplied equipment grants for
canoes and sailboats for the basic boating safety classes at many of the
state’s college campuses,” explains Mike, “and in return, the schools
were responsible for running boating safety programs.” Sacramento
State, Cal State Northridge, and several University of California
campuses, including Berkeley and Irvine, participated in the program.
1974
Popularity of non-motorized
boating continues to grow.
Boating Trails Act gives
department authority to
pursue activities to increase
opportunities for canoeists,
kayakers and rafters on
designated waterways.
Since 1974, Cal Boating
has worked with local
river managers to fund
development of many
river access sites and
to publish safety and
access river trail maps.
1976
Department publishes first classroom
and “home study” boating education
course in the nation! “Adventure Afloat
Program” is printed in both student and
instructor editions and made available
to high schools and the public. With
modifications, other states begin to use
California’s course for their programs.