50 feet back law

[seachicken27]

haha those pics were not on the 4th. It's barely possible to drive a boat on our lake on the 4th much less surf! We always go early in the morning or late in the evening. I like my flat water

[moczygemba9395]

To chime back in here...the Lake Patrol officer said that this law was being pushed from the insurance companies. He said that the claims have increased in large numbers due to surfing.

Personally, we as a family take up wakesurfing because it is safer and it is at slower speeds. We can also do this on more open bodies of water that are deeper.

Now I do see how in some cases that wakesurfing could be dangerous, as some people probably buy a wakesurf board and try it behind their pontoon or I/O. I'd hate for that to ruin it for the whole industry. Hopefully law makers do their due diligence before making any decisions. I am also hoping that this was just one very misinformed Lake Patrol officer.

On the child on a board topic...we started our son when he was 2. He rode with me on the board between my legs until he was 3. Then he started riding on his own on the big board by starting on his stomach (tummy boarding) and then getting up to his knees (knee boarding). He is now 5 years old and rides wakeboard as good as the older kids or better, and has started throwing the rope while surfing. He has just been invited to the cable park for camp in a camp intended for kids 9 and older. I have zero regrets starting him off so early.

The big take away from this is that we have to be defensive as boat owners and water sports enthusiasts. We need to watch out for other boaters that might not have as much knowledge with safety and the laws. We also need to always set the best example on the water, and educate anyone and everyone when we get a chance. One stupid mistake could ruin it for everyone.

Oh and on a side note...if you're someone that pulls a tube, do it in the middle of the lake away from everyone else!


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[GMLIII]

Great

[Johnny_Rock]

Oh and on a side note...if you're someone that pulls a tube, do it in the middle of the lake away from everyone else!

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I second this!

[JD ski]

@seachicken27 Nobody on the water for the 4th of July, 4 years in a row........

Men, where do you live in America , I want to move now

We skied 2 days of glass on a 4 day 4 of July weekend. The third day had some wind but found OK water with almost know one in sight the entire time 2017. Location, a secret. My son slicing, dicing, and shredding at sunset. I usually only go to this lake on the 4 of July weekends to avoid crowds and stupid people.

[xxrb2010]

Nice

[RDT-G23]

Today during a safety check on our local lake (Lake Conroe) in Texas our local Lake Patrol told us to enjoy wakesurfing while we can. He said that there is a proposed law that prevents anyone from riding behind the boat closer than 50 feet.

Is this a proposed National Law that we have not heard about? Or is maybe this is something that is just being proposed on our lake?

Has this happened anywhere else to anyone else? Do you guys even think this is legal and possible? I'm assuming I need to contact our local Government officials to cover this. Do the boat companies have lobbyist that monitor these ridiculous laws as well?


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I have a legislative/lobby team in Austin. I'll have this "run down". I seriously doubt this is the case, or considered. This is Texas, for the love of all that is holy... I could understand Vermont or Michigan. I think you will be able to continue wake-surfing, and carry your pistol while doing so...

[markj]

^^^Awesome. 'Murica...

[75Tique]

At first, since we have a similarly worded restriction on our lake, I assumed it was to prevent surfing because of the disruptive large wakes and shoreline issues. Our restriction doesnt come out and say no surfing, it uses language like no ballast, no ropes less than 30 feet, must have a rope.... It is a small neighborhood association lake, so they can establish such rules and, actually, I support this one on our little (150 acres) lake. Of course given the whole neighborhood association thing and "concerned citizens" that like to stick their noses where they dont belong, some lady, because of those no surfing rules, had a problem with my barefoot boom and a 5 foot rope or no rope. Clearly she was clueless about pretty much everything. I ended up getting the language changed to include a boom exception, which my buddies over on CCF refer to as "Larry's Law" Cute, huh? However, the original OP came back here and said it was a safety thing, not a big wake/surfing/shoreline thing. Which might make sense. Wonder how that will play out in the long run, if there are actually a lot of medical claims related to surfing. Remember the now extinct flying kite tubes? The rules skidave posted actually make pretty good sense, where you selectively limit.

Althougth NC allows a mirror instead of an observer, our lake requires an observer, which makes it tough for the few people like me who like to catch a quick ski run early in the morning or at dusk. We have tinkered with language allowing skiers and boarders not to have observers but tubers have to, still. Reason being, skiers are out when the lake is dead, tubers are out at weekend crazy time. The unwritten part of the rule is most skiers are responsible and most tuber drivers are inexperienced morons that just went out and picked up their new boat last thursday and have never driven one before.

Speaking of "Awesome 'Murica...." (from last tuesday)

[distinguishedmotorsports]

This can't be a Texas bill because the legislative secession is over and this was not one of the things on the emergency legislative secession. this sounds like a Lake Conroe thing, this **** would not fly on the Highland Lakes near Austin. and we are wayyy more liberal than the Conroe area. Possibly its is rule made by the river authority? San Jac River authority?

[RDT-G23]

This can't be a Texas bill because the legislative secession is over and this was not one of the things on the emergency legislative secession. this sounds like a Lake Conroe thing, this **** would not fly on the Highland Lakes near Austin. and we are wayyy more liberal than the Conroe area. Possibly its is rule made by the river authority? San Jac River authority?

Now wait just a doggone minute; y'all may be more liberal Lake Travis in Travis County, but don't be rolling us at Lake LBJ/Burnett County in that bag... We Rednecks are away from Travis County for good reason...no Libs up here...

[SilentSeven]

Would be interesting to see data on how Wake Surfing is leading to an increase injuries. For participants, not sure I see the relationship (unless it's out of shape noobs trying to get up... ).

I do wonder if it's related to the SIZE and STEEPNESS of SURF BOAT WAKES causing problems with OTHER BOATS. On our lake here outside of Seattle, surfing is all the rage but it's totally changed the game when running our 19' Ski Nautique. We now have to be on the full defensive for a surf boat wake set and be sure to slow down and change direction to hit them correctly. If you miss seeing them and hit them at speed it's super dangerous to everyone in the boat...it's difficult to see them all.

Big boat wakes (not surf boat wakes) are much less of a concern.....they just aren't as tight and as steep as tuned surf boat wakes.

IIR, in general, the boating rule is the operator is responsible for their own wake...sort of curious to see how this plays out.

[markj]

Would be interesting to see data on how Wake Surfing is leading to an increase injuries. For participants, not sure I see the relationship (unless it's out of shape noobs trying to get up... ).

I do wonder if it's related to the SIZE and STEEPNESS of SURF BOAT WAKES causing problems with OTHER BOATS. On our lake here outside of Seattle, surfing is all the rage but it's totally changed the game when running our 19' Ski Nautique. We now have to be on the full defensive for a surf boat wake set and be sure to slow down and change direction to hit them correctly. If you miss seeing them and hit them at speed it's super dangerous to everyone in the boat...it's difficult to see them all.

Big boat wakes (not surf boat wakes) are much less of a concern.....they just aren't as tight and as steep as tuned surf boat wakes.

IIR, in general, the boating rule is the operator is responsible for their own wake...sort of curious to see how this plays out.

If you're so close as to see and GRADE THE SIZE AND STEEPNESS, stop following or crossing their wake so close! ALL WAKES mellow out the further away from you they are. Doesn't matter if it's a surf boat or a big cruiser. Even though we mostly surf, if I see a big cruiser coming or see another surf boat coming our way on the Sacramento River (2-400' wide), I face my transom towards them and let their wake hit us from behind. All good. Wait for it to settle and move on without thinking I own the place.

[distinguishedmotorsports]

Now wait just a doggone minute; y'all may be more liberal Lake Travis in Travis County, but don't be rolling us at Lake LBJ/Burnett County in that bag... We Rednecks are away from Travis County for good reason...no Libs up here...

the LCRA has its' headquarters in Austin. i understand what you are saying. but LCRA owns the lakes. been that way since before there was lakes. be glad you are upstream. Zebra mussels were accidentally introduced in LT less than two weeks ago. only remotely positive thing they do is improve water clarity. LT is already the cleanest lake in LT, so hear's to hoping it looks like the Caribbean this time next year.


To everyone else in the thread, i think this is kind of mute point. TX already has a hazardous wake law on the books. i can't see this passing or flying anywhere near a new boat dealer.

[SilentSeven]

If you're so close as to see and GRADE THE SIZE AND STEEPNESS, stop following or crossing their wake so close! ALL WAKES mellow out the further away from you they are. Doesn't matter if it's a surf boat or a big cruiser. Even though we mostly surf, if I see a big cruiser coming or see another surf boat coming our way on the Sacramento River (2-400' wide), I face my transom towards them and let their wake hit us from behind. All good. Wait for it to settle and move on without thinking I own the place.

Interesting response.

In deep lake water, boat wakes don't dissipate nearly as quickly as they do on a river where you have currents and it's generally shallower. On our lake here, a surf boat working the far side of the lake.... 3/4 of a mile or more.... still generates sizeable rollers where we may be skiing. And in many ways they are more dangerous in that there is no obvious boat nearby to create a visual warning...the wake literally appears out no where.

It's a long standing maritime principle that you are responsible for your own wake. And your thinking that I should just stop my boat, turn sternside and let your wake go by is the type of arrogant attitude that will ultimately lead to more limitations and regulations placed on surf boats. From what you've written, sounds to me like you think YOU own the lake. Maybe a better approach would be to recognize the risk that's created and make attempts to share the water safely with everyone.