Proposed Idaho Legislation Banning Wakesurfing

[Surfdad]

I was sent the attached link by Jeff Page from Inland Surfer:

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/ses...2601300701.pdf

In short the proposed legislation banned teak surfing AND wake surfing in Idaho.

Larry Mann of Trick Boardz and Fresh Air Exhaust has joined the AWSA as our Legislative Laison and talked with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation staff

As of yesterday, Larry through the AWSA has provided the IDPR the NASBLA model law and text from various other states and it is our understanding that the word wakesurfing has been stricken from the proposed legislation.

A special request to folks in Idaho, please let everyone know if we find that anything changes with this proposed legislation.

Kudos to Jeff Page of Inland for being on top of these issues and also to our very own Larry Mann for his dedication to the sport and professionalism in achieving results.

[da.bell]

That is awesome that they were able to catch this before it went into law. If it became a law, it would be much harder to remove it from being a law.

Great job guys!!!!

[dogbert]

Way to go, guys!

[LovinPowell]

Thanks for being vigilant in this area, we all need to do all that we can to make sure that wake surfing does not get a "tainted" image.

You guys are great.

[Surfdad]

LovinPowell is so accurate. The folks that are responsible for legislation are simply uninformed. We've sucessfully fought three of these now, but invariable what happens is that someone mistakenly associates teaksurfing/bodysurfing with wakesurfing.

It's pretty easy to separate the two distinct activities for folks, but unless it's done BEFORE the legislation is passed, it's almost impossible to turn around.

So...all of us within the AWSA would greatly appreciate hearing of this sort of potential problem...if you could keep your eyes and ears open and then pass it along.

Thanks!

[ragboy]

Thats great. You guys need to setup a website, to keep this stuff at the forefront. Unless there is an AWSA website I don't know of. Also to allow people to use something like paypal to donate for things like education and research, and collection of CO2 data and stuff to fight these things.

If you need help, let me know. Just get a domain, and we can setup something as simple as a site, with wordpress, so you can edit it like a blog, and away you go. And you can add more later.

Of course, you may already have something in the works. Anyway, willing to help.

[talltigeguy]

I noticed that Utah passed a law this year banning such activities. They sent a pamphlet out wth my registration renewal. If I recall right, the wording was something about banning any 'non-upright activity within 20 feet of a moving boat', or something like that. I noticed the 'upright' part certainly excluded wakesurfing from the law.

[Surfdad]

RagBoy,

I hereby duely elect you to the position of Website administrator of the AWSA! I really could use your help. We have the domain name. And both Larry Mann and I have the ability to host the site. Roy Gordon is a database programmer that is working on contest rules and the like, but we could really use this sort of content.

Thanks so much!

When you get a moment, if you could email me at jwalker@jwcpa.com, I'd really appreciate it.

Tall, we did see that and let it be, because it didn't impact us.

[Surfdad]

The trials and tribulations of this saga. We were successful at getting the wakesurfing language removed, but NOW it seems they have inserted a proximity restriction.

In an email from Larry Mann, he tells me:

"The problem is they apparently have language, and the attitude, that deals with proximity. No one may surf within 10 foot of the boat."


SSSooooooooooo...Everyone in the Idaho area, we truly need your help and support. HUGE props to Phil at the Water Ski Pro shop for staying on top of this and gathering enough signatures to grant the public hearing.

Wakesurfing is safe and we need as many folks in the area to show up for the public hearing.

Please give Phil a call at 208-336-3270 if you have questions.

Thanks again Phil! and to those of you in the area than can make the public hearing.

[LovinPowell]

Is there anything that those of us who don't live in Idaho can do?

[Surfdad]

Lovinpowel, thanks so much for your offer of support. I've asked both Larry and Paul to strategize and get back to us on what makes the most sense. After I hear back from them, I'll post a request for assistance, here, ok?

Thanks again.

[LovinPowell]

Being in Utah, it is hitting a little "too close to home". If it happens there, I'm afraid of where it might spread to. So I will monitor this thread and wait for your future comments.