Resources Justifying all activities?

[haknslash]

Trust me I get it being super close and convenient. There is a similar sized lake near my house but I don't go there often because it's relatively shallow and is known to take plenty of props out because of all the flooded timber shallow areas. I just don't risk it plus there aren't many area to surf or get away from people to relax. Water is river silt fed so it stays dark with maybe 6"-8" visibility if you're lucky. Would love one closer but that one is too risky and the second closet isn't much further than much nicer waters. So we just opt to drive the hour and 40 minute drive to the larger Lake Martin for clearer waters and plenty coves to go and things to do onshore along the lake. There is a lot of developed areas on our lakes but usually there's space to stay away. There is also something some home owners don't consider is what side the surf wave is on. Makes a big difference in the size of the roller it leaves on each side. They may see a surf boat coming by but the surf wave is opposite of the home owner and the wave is no different coming by than if it were a bowrider passing by at slow speed but that home owner will still be swearing them damn surf boats reeeee.

IMO the real danger on the lakes isn't land and property but rather the drunks killing people and speed demon bass fishermen doing 70+ mph and cutting blind turns causing accidents and close calls. If people spent the effort to stop drunk idiots and enforce reckless driving as much as they care about big bad surf boats the waters would be safer which lives are more important to me than money/property but I get it. There's always bad ones to make the rest of us look bad. I just try and stay away when I can go respect everyone and to get away.

 

[J-RAD]

I didn't get to read everything in the thread but I've seen this on related topics from the Water sports Industry Association.


I think education is key. It only takes 1or 2 individuals making poor choices to ruin it for everyone else... the WSIA is an advocacy group that try's to educate and respond to cases where bans are being considered. You might be able to reach out and get them involved if it turns to a worst case.

View this content on Instagram

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This video from their Instagram adds some clarification.

 

[BigAbe75]

So, here’s the latest update.

We had quite a few people talking to the lake superintendent, mayor, and city council members. Conversations varied in scope a bit... but probably the most important thing that came out is this...

There is already a city ordinance prohibiting water sports within 200’ of the shore. After sharing statistics from WSIA that show after 100’ a surf wave is within 1” height difference of a wave generated by simple cruising, it seems like the whole conversation has shifted from prohibiting large wake activities to actually enforcing the rules that they already have.

The agenda item has been removed from the upcoming council meeting. And, a committee will be formed of stakeholders including wake boat owners and others to discuss other options over the coming months instead of trying to ramrod this through while nobody paid attention.

 

[anmut]

That's good news - congrats!

 

[spatty99]

I'm all for (responsible) water access, and good luck to you, but the WSIA "after 100’ a surf wave is within 1” height difference of a wave generated by simple cruising" sounds like quite a stretch.

 

[BigAbe75]

I'm all for (responsible) water access, and good luck to you, but the WSIA "after 100’ a surf wave is within 1” height difference of a wave generated by simple cruising" sounds like quite a stretch.

I’ll try to extract the executive summary and post that here when I get to a computer. But here’s a screenshot from one of their tables.

That 1” difference is seen in shallow water (10’) between surfing and cruising. Takes a lot longer in deep (20’) water.



Actually, I’m just going to post the whole thing. If anybody thinks I should take it down, just say so. It’s a good read.

 

[haknslash]

So, here’s the latest update.

We had quite a few people talking to the lake superintendent, mayor, and city council members. Conversations varied in scope a bit... but probably the most important thing that came out is this...

There is already a city ordinance prohibiting water sports within 200’ of the shore. After sharing statistics from WSIA that show after 100’ a surf wave is within 1” height difference of a wave generated by simple cruising, it seems like the whole conversation has shifted from prohibiting large wake activities to actually enforcing the rules that they already have.

The agenda item has been removed from the upcoming council meeting. And, a committee will be formed of stakeholders including wake boat owners and others to discuss other options over the coming months instead of trying to ramrod this through while nobody paid attention.

Glad to hear people were using their brains and realized they already had a rule set in place. Nothing worse than knee jerk reactions and not critical thinking.