With sponsorship Support, Lawrence competes in fishing tournaments throughout North America and offers hands-on fishing instruction to others living with vision loss. Having earned a Masters in Environmental Studies in his early 20's, Lawrence's other great passion is the protection of Canada's rivers, lakes and oceans to ensure Canada's fishing heritage is alive and well for future generations. L
awrence travels from coast to coast to coast to learn first-hand from those who's social and economic survival is linked to fishing. Lawrence’s complete lack of sight has made him dependent upon his other senses to understand what's taking place beneath the waves. Lawrence perfected this skill when, as a university student, he spent his summers crewing aboard home-made wooden dories hand-lining for Cod off Canada's east coast. In 2007 Lawrence founded the Blind Fishing Boat, an initiative to open up the sport of fishing to the over 13 million Americans and Canadians living with vision loss (blind). In addition to exhibiting at shows and offering hands-on instruction, seminars and key-note addresses, he contributes frequently to numerous outdoor publications under his banner, “Feel the Bite”. Lawrence fish's solo from both a kayak, and a 12-foot plastic folding Porta-Bote propelled with a Minn Kota electric motor. Lawrence competes with his sighted partners in his Ranger Reata 1850 powered with a 175HP E-TEC outboard. He's developed a number of various talking and audible technologies; making him a world authority in the field of navigating “blind. Lawrence's on-the-water navigating skills led to his winning the 2010 “California International Blind Sailing Regatta”. In 2010 Lawrence Competed in 17 fishing competitions, earning four top-five finishes and one first. Tournaments included Bass Master and Walleye League events, and two events for fishers without sight,. Lawrence is also a competitor in the "America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament" in Colorado. To learn more about fishing without sight or if you have a suggestion or story of your own to share, please visit www.blindfishingboat.com or send Lawrence a note at "[email protected]".
