Wake Surfing illegal in NSW Australia

[chippy1971]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I was pulled up by the MSB on the weekend because I was taking my kids wake surfing and they wanted to charge me because the kids were not 7 metre behind the boat.

Now while I cannot find a rule in any of the boat license manuals, they are claiming that if someone is not 7 metres behind the boat they can be charged.

Now as we all know that is not going to allow us to go wake surfing anymore.

The other thing that they are trying to claim is that we could get carbon monoxide poisoning is also a problem because we are too close to the back of the boat.

I could understand this if we were in a closed room or somewhere that was closed off but not on an open river.

I am wondering if anyone else is with me on fighting this with the MSB to show them that it is not a problem and if it is done correctly it should not be illegal.

[Jerseydave]

Similar problem here in New Jersey. Rope has to be at least 35 feet long, no more than 75 feet.
We've been lucky so far, talked our way out of it once. Now I hook the rope to the bow eye, go up and over the tower and back to the rider.......35 feet of rope!

I'm afraid that lawmakers eventually will look harder at wake surfing and start regulating or prohibiting it even though it's probably the safest thing you can do behind an (inboard) boat.

[DemolitionMan]

More Big Brother.

[Tri4X2]

There was a time here in Austin Texas that they tried to outlaw it on Lake Austin.

[ski/hunt]

Sounds like it's time to take up slalom!! You won't have to worry about rope length until you can ski beyond 39 off....

[BrooksfamX2]

tr6coug got stopped on Lake Shasta 2 years ago. Said they needed a rope......it is the officers interpretation of the regulation at this point it seams.

[ahhudgins]

Originally Posted by Jerseydave

Similar problem here in New Jersey. Rope has to be at least 35 feet long, no more than 75 feet.
We've been lucky so far, talked our way out of it once. Now I hook the rope to the bow eye, go up and over the tower and back to the rider.......35 feet of rope!

.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Good job on that one!

[mikeg205]

when will these legislators learn they serve - not rule... fricken' lobbyists - thanks the insurance company lobbyists...they must be think of doing a face plant while surfing with an I/O... there's the danger right.... oh brother...

[kskonn]

The governing body of the lake that I am on do not allow wake surfing, they do not enforce it unless someone calls and complains.

[mikeg205]

governing body - that says it all...