Wakesurfing=Negligent Operation Lake Havasu

[xpjim1]

I was stopped Sunday Afternoon on Lake Havasu by a Land Management boat. Recieved a warning for towing a surfer too close to the boat. Surfer was finding the sweet spot) I tried to talk and ask questions but they wanted no part of the conversation so I was just yes sirring it.

Also was informed if my surfer was a minor I could have recieved a child endangerment ticket.

When they left they said use a longer rope. Again I tried to ask about surfing and they said again this is your warning!!!

[Coach]

NOOOOOOOOO!


I wonder how San Bernardino Sheriffs will deal with it? We are up river an surf all of the time. We see SB sheriff once in a great while and or Fish and Game. I will ask Boat Cop who is with La Paz about it and try to work with him to help educate.

[CP3]

they wouldnt even talk to you about it???
that is crap. sounds like they were just being jacka$$es

[Carter13]

I am sure it will be banned in most states some time in the future. It is too bad that they don't understand the dynamics of surfing and how safe it really is.

[Coach]

No most of these agencies think it is teak surfing and just don't get it. I think the problem we run into is guys with I/O's see us doing it and think that would be cool and hamburger up a hand or body part so it is now dangerous. We need to create a sticky with all of the info and web sites that can help educate and promote the sport. A hand out to give an officer if they pull you over would be good to help educated that officer. Most agencies will not have any ban or law but a guy will just figure that it is not right and warn you not to do it. Too bad these guys don't listen. They are too use to dealing with drunk *** holes all day so don't want to listen to anyone.

[my86stanggt]

I could see endangerment if we had stern drives but with an inboard and swim platform it would be really hard to get hurt. Course the law probably has some generic distance between the boat and the person being towed and doesn't list different types of towing or different boats. Surfing is a relatively new thing and there probably isn't a caveat in the law for it.

[my86stanggt]

Man you guys type fast, didn't see Coach's reply until I posted.

[xpjim1]

Funny thing is I see SB county sheriffs, Mohave county sheriffs. ;Lake havasu police and State Rangers all the time. 1st time I have ever seen a Land Management boat. Again I wanted to have a discussion being very polite. Maybe they had a long weekend and were still pumped.

I had heard the theme for the weekend was education before enforcement. I wanted an education!!

Basically the officer put me in the no talk mode.

[LovinPowell]

That sucks. I am going to carry my laminated page that shows our state's law in the boat with me. If I get pulled over by another agency, I will be asking for a cite reference and be dropping a couple of names on them. We have to make sure to educate the lawmakers so that they don't erroneously think it is something else and make it wrongfully illegal.

[Coach]

Here is what I found on CA web site

RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT BOAT OPERATION
No person shall operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane,
or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life,
limb, or property of any person. Examples of such operation include, but are
not limited to:
1. Riding on the bow, gunwale, or transom of a vessel under way, propelled
by machinery, when such position is not protected by railing or other
reasonable deterrent to falling overboard; or riding in a position or
manner which is obviously dangerous. These provisions shall not apply
to a vessel’s crew in the act of anchoring, mooring or making fast to
a dock or another vessel, or in the necessary management of a sail.
2. Maneuvering towed skiers, or devices, so as to pass the towline over
another vessel or its skier.
3. Navigating a vessel, skis, or other devices between a towing vessel and
its tow or tows.
4. Operating under the influence of intoxicants or narcotics.
Other actions, such as speeding in confined or restricted areas, “buzzing” or
“wetting down” others, or skiing at prohibited times or in restricted areas can
also be construed to be reckless or negligent operation.
“Hit and run” - Any person involved in a boating accident resulting in injury,
death or disappearance, who is convicted of leaving the scene without
furnishing appropriate information to others involved or to any peace officer
at the scene and/or rendering any reasonable assistance to any injured
person, is liable for a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to one
year, or both.

[Coach]

This is from the complete boating laws of CA

(e) No person shall operate water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device so as to
endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.

This is the catch all they might try to use.

I did learn that it is illegal to ski, board, and all of that stuff while intoxicated.

[canuck]

Even if the law was absolutely clear and wake surfing was not illegal most of those moth*r f*cker cops would not give a sh*t. They will just ticket you and make you prove that it is not against the law. Will anything happen to them for being a p*ck and abusing their powers ... of course not.

All we can do is to suck it up and yes sir everything. This is the world that we have now.

I'm not just a rebellious kid that feels this way. I'm a 46 year old professional.

Off topic but this is why our generation has less respect for the government and the cops than my father's generation. And this is going to get worst.

[Costigan]

Even if the law was absolutely clear and wake surfing was not illegal most of those moth*r f*cker cops would not give a sh*t. They will just ticket you and make you prove that it is not against the law. Will anything happen to them for being a p*ck and abusing their powers ... of course not.

All we can do is to suck it up and yes sir everything. This is the world that we have now.

I'm not just a rebellious kid that feels this way. I'm a 46 year old professional.

Off topic but this is why our generation has less respect for the government and the cops than my father's generation. And this is going to get worst.

I find it is funny that people think that cops enforce laws that don't exist. I agree that it is stupid that wakesurfing is being banded in many states but it is not the cops fault. No need to be a prick to them, they are just doing their job. If you're going to be mad at someone, be mad at the person that made the law not the person that enforces it. Also, do you think a cop is going to risk losing his job and getting sued just to pull you over. I don't think so. Just as a note... You do realize that cops are TIGE OWNERS too. right? Careful about bashing people and lumping all cops with one jack@ss.

[Costigan]

One more note and I'm done. Did you know that when a cop signs a ticket he or she signs it under the penalty of perjury. If a cop lies on a ticket, he or she could go to jail. Cops can make mistakes just like anyone else, but do you think he or she is going to risk losing their job and going to jail just to write a ticket? NOPE! Again, please remember that COPS ARE TIGE OWNERS too.

[dogbert]

I find it is funny that people think that cops enforce laws that don't exist. I agree that it is stupid that wakesurfing is being banded in many states but it is not the cops fault. No need to be a prick to them, they are just doing their job. If you're going to be mad at someone, be mad at the person that made the law not the person that enforces it. Also, do you think a cop is going to risk losing his job and getting sued just to pull you over. I don't think so. Just as a note... You do realize that cops are TIGE OWNERS too. right? Careful about bashing people and lumping all cops with one jack@ss.

Hey, he's Canadian...'nuf said

j/k

Seriously, though. My guess is that in these instances, the law enforcement has not seen this type of activity before and is just trying to do the right thing. I'd be doing as xpjim1 did and talk to the guys in a very respectful manner. If they're clearly not in the mood, I wouldn't push it. You never know what other jerks they had to deal with that day.

Our local guys (both on Lake Austin and Lake Buchanan) have been very patient with us and we've tried to educate them on what we're doing and how we keep things safe. Most know my boat by sight now and so they don't even bother with safety checks anymore either.

I think once the sport becomes more mainstream and it's broadcast on TV, then you'll start getting the recognition you're looking for. In the mean time, I just hope the media doesn't broadcast irresponsibly, as they have been known to do in the past. Our local media has been pretty good about this, but it's been because guys like Larry Mann have contacted them and invited them to participate for their story.