Wakesurfing = Negligent Boater Operation???

[malarson]

Here's the latest. I had an interview with the local TV station today. Really good interview at the boat launch. We discussed the how to's of wakesurfing and the what not to do's of wakesurfing. Then we discussed why I felt the local sheriff was opposed to it.
After a short 5 minute interview we went on the water and gave a demonstration for the cameras. I was really proud of my 11 year old wakesufing. She threw the rope really quickly and did a good job of showing how fun and safe the activity was.
It will air tonight or tomorrow on the KLEW tv station. I hope they have a link on their website www.klewtv.com that shows the video.
Two interesting sidenotes. The reporter got a speeding ticket on the way to the boat launch so she seemed a bit anti-cop. Also the deputy she had scheduled to interview canceled at the last minute.

[jleger98]

post a link if you find one. Should be interesting to see how they spin it.

[Wake Bandits]

people who try to surf behind a sunesta extreme might you have to be pretty dumb to try, but then again you have to be pretty dumb to buy one of those

---------------------
If you want it from the Boss then go to performance boats forum, and post the question to BOATCOP in the thread heading.
He runs the water enforcement division and will give you the straight take on how the LEOS handle it.
He'll answer your questions usually within the hour.
www.performanceboats.com

[Surfdad]

malarson,

If you get a chance, talk with Larry about Idaho. He is the legislative liason with the AWSA and had several lengthy discussions with the legislator principally behind this proposed law. Needless to say he was none too thrilled with the gentleman's attitude, but he might be able to give you some insight into what is going on.

[eks]

Here's the latest. I had an interview with the local TV station today. Really good interview at the boat launch. We discussed the how to's of wakesurfing and the what not to do's of wakesurfing. Then we discussed why I felt the local sheriff was opposed to it.
After a short 5 minute interview we went on the water and gave a demonstration for the cameras. I was really proud of my 11 year old wakesufing. She threw the rope really quickly and did a good job of showing how fun and safe the activity was.
It will air tonight or tomorrow on the KLEW tv station. I hope they have a link on their website www.klewtv.com that shows the video.
Two interesting sidenotes. The reporter got a speeding ticket on the way to the boat launch so she seemed a bit anti-cop. Also the deputy she had scheduled to interview canceled at the last minute.

Did the article get posted on KlewTv.com??

[TJRiver]

Gooooood luck beating a cop's interpretation of "unsafe operation" in court. Everyone's energy would be better spent getting the law modified. A law that requires the cop to determine whether you are stern drive vs direct/v drive is probably not going to fly. It's much easier to just ban an activity that has the potential for death or injury vs having an intellegent discussion and working out a law that protects the idiots while allowing fun.

[malarson]

I talked to the reporter today. She says the story will air next week. She still can't get an interview with the deputy.

The statute under gross negligent operation reads
"It shall be unlawful for any person
to operate any vessel on the waters of the state of Idaho in such a manner as
to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property of any person, and
whosoever shall do so is guilty of the crime of grossly negligent operation
and shall be punished as hereinafter provided.

I could contest that wakesurfing does not endanger life, limb or property.
What think ye?

[dogbert]

I talked to the reporter today. She says the story will air next week. She still can't get an interview with the deputy.

The statute under gross negligent operation reads
"It shall be unlawful for any person
to operate any vessel on the waters of the state of Idaho in such a manner as
to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property of any person, and
whosoever shall do so is guilty of the crime of grossly negligent operation
and shall be punished as hereinafter provided.

I could contest that wakesurfing does not endanger life, limb or property.
What think ye?

I would, my guess is the guy knows he was being a d*** and won't show so it will get dismissed.

[jleger98]

In my non-legal mind, I would thing endangering of life and limb would be a call the officer on the scene makes. If he gives you a ticket, I would think you could go to court and provide proof of the steps you took to be safe. Point out where the prop is on your boat, if you were using FAE etc etc. I wouldn't think it would be all that hard to prove, unless the judge just wants to be a prick and side with the cop no matter what.

As a side note I would point out that nobody has ever been severely injured or killed by wakesurfing behind an inboard.

[SPBFAN]

This is crazy. It is becoming like England again. Here we go giving up FREEDOM. This needs to be fought. Most certainly not in the courts but with the law makers.

Also here is a link about CO for those that are learning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide#Toxicity

[jleger98]

This is crazy. It is becoming like England again. Here we go giving up FREEDOM. This needs to be fought. Most certainly not in the courts but with the law makers.

Also here is a link about CO for those that are learning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide#Toxicity

We should all get in our boats and head off across the ocean and start a new country j/k (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

[SPBFAN]

We should all get in our boats and head off across the ocean and start a new country j/k (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

Let go find an island in the Caribbean. The rule to live there is you own a tow boat and you have to have some sort of career that would benefit everyone on the island. Doctor, Auto and Boat technician, Wake boarding pro for instructions, Farmer for food, Contractor for building, Ect Ect. I think we have plenty of knowledge here on the board we could do it. . Of course I am J/K. Oh yea of course no politicians allowed.

[Tanner]

I'll build the houses.

Andrew can supply us w/ the amps and wetsounds goodies to outfit our boats.

We'll bring Lee and Chpthril to work on our boats in the event they break down.

We'll bring Spharis to get our electrical system on the island up and running.

Coach, b/c you gotta have a teacher of some kind for the little ones.

Matt to keep our website running.

And well... I don't really know what anyone else does off the top of my head.... because if you look at the PW thread, it seems none of you have jobs

[jleger98]

Let go find an island in the Caribbean. The rule to live there is you own a tow boat and you have to have some sort of career that would benefit everyone on the island. Doctor, Auto and Boat technician, Wake boarding pro for instructions, Farmer for food, Contractor for building, Ect Ect. I think we have plenty of knowledge here on the board we could do it. . Of course I am J/K. Oh yea of course no politicians allowed.

I'm in, tell me when and where ....oh I guess I would have to bring my wife....but I would need some entertainment so its all good

[jleger98]

I'll build the houses.

Andrew can supply us w/ the amps and wetsounds goodies to outfit our boats.

We'll bring Lee and Chpthril to work on our boats in the event they break down.

We'll bring Spharis to get our electrical system on the island up and running.

Coach, b/c you gotta have a teacher of some kind for the little ones.

Matt to keep our website running.

And well... I don't really know what anyone else does off the top of my head.... because if you look at the PW thread, it seems none of you have jobs

Well, I'm a Technical Architect, but I could be convinced to brew beer, or operate the marina......pretty much anything.

What about all the Salt water.....maybe we should consider building an inland freshwater lake????