Wake Sport Etiquette: rules that turn novices into pros

Where you ride and how far you are from everyone is key to common courtesy. Imagine being in a kayak, sailboat or even on a paddle board and being hit with a passing wake. It’s unpleasant at best and can be downright dangerous. 

Be sure to stay at least 200 feet—that's about 2/3 of a football field—away from anything or anyone else in your surroundings. That includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Docks where tied boats can bang against each other or pop a cleat off as they’re jostled
• Launch ramps where boats could be tossed around as they’re about to be put in or loaded onto a trailer
• Boats that are anchored and smaller boats underway

Finally, but maybe most importantly, never ride around or cut off another tow boat.  

If you find a nice stretch of water, it’s tempting to run back and forth as you wakeboard and wakes surf, but repetitive passes lead to damage. Delicate shorelines erode and docks and bulkheads suffer too. Don’t be that person who ruins the fun for everyone else—consider the expensive repairs that dock owners undertake and do your part to preserve them.

Music is part of the fun on a wake boat, but remember, sound travels on the water. You can find yourself on a part of our lake which feels deserted, however there may be homes through a clearing or near one of our campgrounds, please remember your music is yours; it doesn’t need to be shared with everyone else.

Wake surfing is usually done at 10-12 mph which is much slower than water skiing, for example. Boats traveling at all different speeds need to coexist on the same body of water so watch what other boats are doing around you and be prepared to give way—you don’t know if the other driver has even noticed you. 

Look in all directions (including behind you) when turning and don’t follow another tow boat too closely because you never know when their person will fall. Follow all of our state and local navigation and no-wake rules including right-of-way, speed limits, and use of your navigation lights.  Remember, no matter who has the right of way, it’s your ultimate responsibility to avoid a collision. 

According to Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) § 235.300, the operator of a vessel or motorboat is liable for any damage or injury caused by negligent operation. This includes negligence involving the wake created by your vessel. Residents will file charges for damage and/or injury caused by a wake from the negligent operation of your watercraft.

When launching or loading at a ramp, prepare everything well ahead and then get it done quickly so you don’t tie up the ramp, especially if others are waiting. The same goes when fueling. Get in, get out. 

Never throw anything overboard. If something like a plastic bag is in danger of taking flight, secure it. 

It’s your responsibility as a captain to have lifejackets for everyone aboard and all other safety equipment as stipulated for your type of boat and your boating area. Always have a lookout when towing or surfing. 

It’s not that hard to be a good boater. Own your wake when surfing and it will become immediately clear what is right and what is not. Smile and wave to others, take responsibility, apologize if you need to and learn for next time—it’s all part of the learning process!