Pulled over for surfing on Lake of the Ozarks

[akdoc]

Well, it finally happened to us. We were surfing this past Saturday and as we passed by the water patrol he looked pretty puzzled. Sure enough he flips his lights on and pulls us over. He tells me that we got pulled over because it looked dangerous, but there was no law banning wakesurfing. So I try and educate the guy but he was a complete azzhole....so we show him the fire extinguisher, life jackets for everyone, out type 4 throwable..yada yada. No problems, we aren't drunk so I think he was a little dissapointed he couldn't give out a BWI. He just keeps saying it looks unsafe and won't listen to anything we say. So he goes on his way and we start surfing again

Later on he passed us on the main channel, we were still surfing but he didn't pull us over again.

I think I need to write a letter the Missouri State Watrol Patrol outlining the facts about wakesurfing.

[Surfdad]

Hey akdoc,

I tend to be of the opinion that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I honestly don't know what the correct action is, many in the industry want to remain under-the-radar so to speak. Advocacy isn't a bad thing, like you point out, but it also tends to bring the issue to the forefront. Like this officer seemed to conclude, it looks dangerous, without having any facts or willingness to listen. It's possible that the legislature won't listen either and will disregard any presentation, BUT now they have something to focus on that LOOKS dangerous.

To me, it's best to have an ally in the legislative body and in particular to remember that elected officals want to make the broadest base of their constituents happy. I have to think that we, wakesurfers, or even those that know what wakesurfing is about are NOT a huge component of that constituency.

[akdoc]

I agree with not helping wake a sleeping giant. I am not going to say anything. It is pretty funny that I have passed multiple other officers while surfing at LOZ and mostly we just get a wave. This guy seemed to be a little bit of a nooby and wanted to really enforce his badge. It seems as though we have started a little surf culture around our part of the lake anyway. We were the first ones doing it, now everyone that has a wakeboard boat is out trying it!!

[Surfdad]

You go! It really does seem to be wakesurfing grows in these smaller communities spurred on by good folks like yourself.

[zad0030]

All LOZ Water Patrol officers are jerks....

[sagmanaur]

I'm not saying he is right, but it is his job to keep people safe on the water. If you are not familiar with the sport it probably looks VERY dangerous.