The Hammer is Coming Down on Wakesurfing in the Commonwealth of Virginia

[GMLIII]

Please call your legislators and voice your opinion before it is too late.


https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/leg...211+sum+HB2083


Surf’s up at Smith Mountain Lake, but Virginia legislature is considering restrictions on wakesurfing | Latest Headlines | roanoke.com

[bird_dog0347]

Soooo... what problem are they trying to solve?

[NautiqueJeff]

If I am reading this correctly, they are introducing a law that will prohibit wake surfing on SML within 200' of a structure.

While I am not a proponent of laws restricting water sports, I would certainly hope none of us are surfing within 200' of docks and structures anyway. I know here in NC, the law is no wake within 150' of a dock or structure, so this isn't really anything much different.

[GMLIII]

If I am reading this correctly, they are introducing a law that will prohibit wake surfing on SML within 200' of a structure.

While I am not a proponent of laws restricting water sports, I would certainly hope none of us are surfing within 200' of docks and structures anyway. I know here in NC, the law is no wake within 150' of a dock or structure, so this isn't really anything much different.

Jeff only rumors at this point but I have heard it is more restrictive then just surfing within 200 hundred feet of a boat, dock, etc. They are defining the areas on the lake to surf.

[swatguy]

I don’t see how that law is dropping the hammer , that seems pretty sensible to have a 200ftn restriction from any structure. The discussion and talking points seem very fair and reasonable for the implementation.


you can blame the advent of 23-25 wake barges now the popular choice of the general “ bro boat class” for all the restrictions coming nationwide. Indiana and Minnesota have some on the books waiting for approval. http://184.175.130.101/legislative/2...digest-heading. The willamette river out west had some already put into place.

again I don’t see the ones above or the one planned for Indiana as super overimposing at all. Pretty common sense stuff to mandate those with more money than brains to adhere to.

[NautiqueJeff]

Jeff only rumors at this point but I have heard it is more restrictive then just surfing within 200 hundred feet of a boat, dock, etc. They are defining the areas on the lake to surf.

Ah, if that's the case, I am more against this than I thought!

[Gtsum2]

Seems common sense to me, but I can see some concerns about starting a precedent. But I can also see homeowners getting fed up with irresponsible boaters.


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[SilentSeven]

This is going to get interesting... All I can say is that the explosion of the big-*** mega surf boat has totally changed our local lake....on a nice summer day the impacts are inescapable.


Edit: Had to go read up on the Willamette river changes....hadn't heard of them and Oregon's not too far from here. What they do might very well show up in Washington state. Looks like they implemented selected restricted areas on the river and requirement that operator (not the owner) pass a Towed Watersports Class and effectively get an watersports endorsement to your boaters license. Interesting.

https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-i...n-Program.aspx - program link
https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/forms-li...udyGuide_a.pdf - study guide for the endorsement

[Nautiquehunter]

Its 100' in Georgia. I am on Lanier 700 miles of shore line you would think there would enough room for everybody ? The biggest boat I have seen here was a 60' cruiser. The big boys can put out a huge wake when under way . Here is the difference they stick to the main channels so its not too hard to steer around them they generally stay out of the ski cove's unless they are anchored. The bigger problem we have here are the ignorant, rude surf ships and their its all about me owners because everybody knows you need glass to surf . So they head straight to the smallest ski cove and tear it up. It doesn't surprise me they are talking about restrictions. All I can say to you surf shippers is Clean Up Your Act or the government will do it for you.

[NautiqueJeff]

Nautiquehunter There are plenty of respectful people who operate surf and wake boats. I know. I am one of them. So are many of my friends, some of whom you know personally. Please don't lump us all into one category. Just because I operate a G23 doesn't mean I operate my boat in an unsafe manner. In fact, many of us lean hard in the other direction, working to educate others and using our boats in safe, respectful ways.

[bird_dog0347]

I agree with Jeff's thoughts, I refuse to surf or tube in nice coves and leave those activities to the main body of water. The lake we are on 99% of the time has cruisers in the30-50' range that throw huge wakes, much bigger than surf ships, and there are parts of the lake (while a very large lake) that are fairly narrow so it's hard to ensure no large wakes within 200' of the shore without making more no-wake zones. My main question is what is it about that particular lake that made them call it out for legislation?

[72Miles]

Love my G23. And I like to think my family is one of the most careful & courteous crowds on the lake. But surf boat technology is going crazy places. The size of the wake is ever-growing. I worry that the surf will eventually be so high there will be a restriction put on wake size, on all boats. The thirst for bigger waves will eventually bring action from politicians unfortunately.

[HollywoodBall]

My main question is what is it about that particular lake that made them call it out for legislation?

I would guess that the legislator sponsoring the bill boats on the lake, or one of his donors does.

[SilentSeven]

The fact that every lake and river are different will make comparisons of any local regulations tricky.

I'd suggest there are two main drivers to political action 1) waterfront property owners dealing with dock and shore impacts 2) safety related complaints from fishermen, other boaters, etc. IIR, historical marine law is generally on their side - the burden is on the wake producer to mitigate their wake and not the other way around.

I agree that 99% of this can self solve if the operators are tuned in and aware. Sadly, that's not what I see here. Too many self consumed numbskulls who aren't aware of the impacts of their actions to others pulling everyone else down with them.

[Nautiquehunter]

Nautiquehunter There are plenty of respectful people who operate surf and wake boats. I know. I am one of them. So are many of my friends, some of whom you know personally. Please don't lump us all into one category. Just because I operate a G23 doesn't mean I operate my boat in an unsafe manner. In fact, many of us lean hard in the other direction, working to educate others and using our boats in safe, respectful ways.

Yes there are plenty of well trained respectful wakesurf boat owners I am one of them . But there are more who either don't know or don't care about boaters edicate. It seems pretty easy to me. Do the right thing or the government [ especially now] will force you .