Wakesurf Specific Lobbyists

[hal2814]

Wow. What's wrong with wakesurfing? I think it's rad. I didn't realize people were against wakesurfing until I read this thread. Heck, not to many people even know what wakesurfing is in the first place, so I'm surprised that there is anyone against the sport. Why do people not like wakesurfing? Why is anyone anti-wakesurfing? I guess I haven't been paying attention and have missed something. On your home lake, do they allow water skiing and wakeboarding and just don't like wakesurfing? This is all very surprising to me.

The problem is that more people are learning what wakesurfing is and not in a good way. They’re seeing wakeboats too close to their docks or getting right up on kayakers and paddle boarders. They’re seeing wakeboats destroy otherwise calm water and get too close to other boats. And they don’t like it. I understand that. I still love wakesurfing though. I try to be considerate but there are times that I’ve had fisherman approach and ask me to move elsewhere. I’ll accommodate whenever I can.

[Wornwater]

Next time you are out look at what the wake does to the docks,shore line and other smaller boats. I am not anti surf but it needs to be done in a place that is not disruptive to others.

Interesting. I didn't think about that. I've only done it a couple times on a friend's boat. Never thought much about it til now. Thanks.

[Wornwater]

The problem is that more people are learning what wakesurfing is and not in a good way. They’re seeing wakeboats too close to their docks or getting right up on kayakers and paddle boarders. They’re seeing wakeboats destroy otherwise calm water and get too close to other boats. And they don’t like it. I understand that. I still love wakesurfing though. I try to be considerate but there are times that I’ve had fisherman approach and ask me to move elsewhere. I’ll accommodate whenever I can.

It makes sense now. Thanks for explaining. I've only had the chance to wakesurf a couple times and didn't think about how it might impact other people on the lake.

[GMLIII]

It makes sense now. Thanks for explaining. I've only had the chance to wakesurf a couple times and didn't think about how it might impact other people on the lake.

Most folks are not warm and fuzzy with wakesurfing. I love it personally but I'm definitely in the minority on my home lake in Virginia.

[scottb7]

Do you think you have as much right to surf as one of the following?

• Wakeboarder…you don’t have as much right to surf, because surfers make bigger waves for longer periods of time
• Tuber…yeah maybe you do have as much right to surf, if the tuber is going for a huge amount of time, f-ing up the whole lake
• Jet skier…you probably don’t have as much right to surf, because there wake is tiny, and they usually get bored after a while and stop
• Water skier...you definitely do not have as much right to surf, because their wake is small and they usually don’t go for very long, and they go straight in a predictable pattern, so you can get out of the way
• Stand up paddle boarder...if you think you have as much right to surf as a person stand up paddle boarding you are either ignorant or you are an entitled s.o.b. And if you think staying a couple hundred feet away gives you the right, then you are definitely an entitled s.o.b.
• Fishermen (in a stationary boat)… if you think you have as much right to surf as a person stand up paddle boarding you are either ignorant or you are an entitled s.o.b. And if you think staying a couple hundred feet away gives you the right, then you are definitely an entitled s.o.b.
• Standing on the shoreline…if you think you have as much right to surf, as the guying looking at his shoreline erode, you probably do, cause he should get with the times. But good luck…cause the homeowners are going to outnumber you and legislate your surfing out of existance

I think you gotta ask yourself, honestly, am I wakeboarding and surfing affecting other people, in a similar way that they are affecting me when they are doing other water sports? And if you are super honest with yourself then maybe you can figure out a compromise that won't get the surfing completely banned. But if you think you have as much right to use the water as everyone else, then you are a goner. And it may already be too late, cause you were like the guy above, that was like, "urgg, never really noticed my big *** wave rocking the crap out of everyone for last 2-4 hours..."

Also, be reminded that for every 1 person that complains there (studies show) about 25 others that don't complain. Meaning that for every one person that comes up to you and tells you to move there are 25 others that think you are an s.o.b. and doesn't complain. But you can guarantee how they will vote.

Wifey and I moved, last summer off a small lake here in Minnesota. We moved up from runabouts, to the 210, to the G21. And the lake was too small for us to wakeboard. And the neighbors were starting to call the local police when we went out boarding, and last few years people were calling the association president to complain that we were "surfing" when actually were wakeboarding. The police would come over and just tell us people were complaining, but yeah, that was the end for us. It didn't matter how respectful we were because, you gotta remember, that "there is no honor among thieves". These particular people would lie and cheat to just get us to stop.

So yeah, we cashed out on the lake house, and cashed out on the boat. Did ok on both.

And if I was completely honest with you, and you know I will be, and I asked one of my fellow regulars and former boat owners how he felt too...I would and will vote to end surfing. But I would also say, "smoke 'em if you got 'em." Enjoy it while you can.

[GMLIII]

Do you think you have as much right to surf as one of the following?

• Wakeboarder…you don’t have as much right to surf, because surfers make bigger waves for longer periods of time
• Tuber…yeah maybe you do have as much right to surf, if the tuber is going for a huge amount of time, f-ing up the whole lake
• Jet skier…you probably don’t have as much right to surf, because there wake is tiny, and they usually get bored after a while and stop
• Water skier...you definitely do not have as much right to surf, because their wake is small and they usually don’t go for very long, and they go straight in a predictable pattern, so you can get out of the way
• Stand up paddle boarder...if you think you have as much right to surf as a person stand up paddle boarding you are either ignorant or you are an entitled s.o.b. And if you think staying a couple hundred feet away gives you the right, then you are definitely an entitled s.o.b.
• Fishermen (in a stationary boat)… if you think you have as much right to surf as a person stand up paddle boarding you are either ignorant or you are an entitled s.o.b. And if you think staying a couple hundred feet away gives you the right, then you are definitely an entitled s.o.b.
• Standing on the shoreline…if you think you have as much right to surf, as the guying looking at his shoreline erode, you probably do, cause he should get with the times. But good luck…cause the homeowners are going to outnumber you and legislate your surfing out of existance

I think you gotta ask yourself, honestly, am I wakeboarding and surfing affecting other people, in a similar way that they are affecting me when they are doing other water sports? And if you are super honest with yourself then maybe you can figure out a compromise that won't get the surfing completely banned. But if you think you have as much right to use the water as everyone else, then you are a goner. And it may already be too late, cause you were like the guy above, that was like, "urgg, never really noticed my big *** wave rocking the crap out of everyone for last 2-4 hours..."

Also, be reminded that for every 1 person that complains there (studies show) about 25 others that don't complain. Meaning that for every one person that comes up to you and tells you to move there are 25 others that think you are an s.o.b. and doesn't complain. But you can guarantee how they will vote.

Wifey and I moved, last summer off a small lake here in Minnesota. We moved up from runabouts, to the 210, to the G21. And the lake was too small for us to wakeboard. And the neighbors were starting to call the local police when we went out boarding, and last few years people were calling the association president to complain that we were "surfing" when actually were wakeboarding. The police would come over and just tell us people were complaining, but yeah, that was the end for us. It didn't matter how respectful we were because, you gotta remember, that "there is no honor among thieves". These particular people would lie and cheat to just get us to stop.

So yeah, we cashed out on the lake house, and cashed out on the boat. Did ok on both.

And if I was completely honest with you, and you know I will be, and I asked one of my fellow regulars and former boat owners how he felt too...I would and will vote to end surfing. But I would also say, "smoke 'em if you got 'em." Enjoy it while you can.

Wow where have you been for so long? I thought you had retired.

[mikenbike211]

We are also on a “small” lake in western ny. I am curious to know the name of your old lake, Id like to compare size. Our lake is only 565 acres. There are about 6 wake boats including mine. 3 of which are completely irresponsible in terms of distance to shore, im talking 50-75 feet off! I will say, given the size of our lake, the middle of the lake isnt always free and clear in terms of traffic and surfing/boarding isnt a option if you limit yourself to the middle. Luckily, the lake house is our primary residence so we get to enjoy it during the week and dont feel the need or desire to go out of the busy weekend. A few years ago, the lake association began talks of wake boat restrictions. It went no further than talks once they realized it wasnt just wake boats producing large wakes. There are plenty of bow riders “plowing” their way down the shoreline, house gazing close to docks. Also, jet skis drivers are extremely young and also not abiding by any safe shoreline/boat distances. So, once all of the other irresponsible boating was discussed, it really disnt seem fair to restrict any one stye of boat. The talks went dead after that. Unfortunetly, just being in one of these boats gets a “sideways” look from many, even though i am very respectful with volume and wake distances. These things are just easy to spot, and hear in some cases. I hate getting placed in the “all wakeboats are doing xxxx” category, but it is what it is.