Wake surfing creates massive waves—up to four times larger than traditional water ski boats. These waves create hazardous conditions for paddlers, rowers, and other boaters, including water skiers and fishermen. The enhanced waves threaten anyone on the water -- even small children wading at our public beaches who are at risk from these breaking waves. On a shared lake, the safety of everyone is a first priority.
Tellingly, the very expert, Water Environmental Consultants, retained, advanced and endorsed by a pro-wake surf group on Lake Waramaug, highlighted the following safety issues in their 2021 report on the use of wake boats in ballast mode on Lake Rabun and Lake Burton in Georgia. Quoting directly from the WEC report:
“Large wakes can create unsafe conditions by swamping recreational craft, impacting other boats, or causing falls overboard. Small craft, including canoes, kayaks, and sailboats are particularly at risk of being swamped, broached, or capsized by steep waves from wake boats." (WEC Report, at v)
“As detailed by this report, wake boats produce much higher waves than typical cruising or water ski craft, and they also produce longer, more energetic waves. The increases in wave heights and wave lengths caused by wake boats increase the risk of injury or fatal accidents on these lakes through several possible mechanisms. These larger waves can:
“Increase risk of swamping of small craft that have a low freeboard, which in turn increases the risk of drowning or injury;
“Increase risk of falls overboard, which also increases risk of drowning or injury;
“Increase incidence of cruising boats slamming into waves, resulting in passenger injury; and
“Increase incidence of vessels being pushed or slammed into docks or shoreline bulkheads, which increases risk of injury or death for people near the vessel." (Id. at v-vi)”