To Surf or Not to Surf?

The wakesurfing debate continues to ripple through communities. Last year, the results of the second part in a three-part study were released by the University of Minnesota. For some, the findings were expected, confirming their belief about the impact a wake surfing boat can have on both the lake and the shoreline. For others, the findings added fuel to an already controversial topic. 

In short, the study released from the University of Minnesota, St. Anthony's Falls Laboratory had the following findings: 

The study included 2 deck boats with outboard motors, 3 bowriders with stern drive Inboard/Outboard engines, and 2 wake boats with inboard engines. They were driven over underwater sensors in 9, 14, 16, and 27 feet of water.

What did they find?

• When in planing mode, recreational powerboats should operate in 10ft of water or greater to minimize impact on lake beds.

• When operating in slow cruising mode, recreational boats should again operate in 10ft of water or greater to minimize impacts on lake beds.

• Wake boats should operate in 20ft of water or greater when in semi-displacement (surfing with ballast) mode to minimize impacts on lake beds.

• Small (less than 1,500 acres) shallow lakes are more vulnerable to destructive prop wash.

  
  

Wake boats in surf mode should be :

* 500 feet or greater from shore

* In 20 feet of water or greater

This month, the wake surfing debate became formal in the legislature of Wisconsin. In order to stay informed on this ongoing controversy, we suggest following the video below. It is a comprehensive analysis by Lakes at Stake, a Wisconsin based nonprofit organization.