Wakesurfing Behind a Boat

To wakesurf, a person rides on a device similar to a surfboard in the wake just behind a boat.

• The wakesurfer holds onto a tow (ski) rope only until he or she is up out of the water. Then, the rope is tossed into the boat.
• The boat travels at slow speeds of 9 to 14 miles per hour.
• To create the larger wake that a wake surfer needs, the boat carries artificial ballast. Artificial ballast is a portable tank or weight, such as water, lead weight, cement, passengers, or other heavy objects, spread throughout a boat to make it produce a large wake at slow speeds.

Persons involved in wakesurfing must follow these regulations.

• A boat involved in wakesurfing must be operated at a speed no greater than no wake or five (5) miles an hour when within 100 feet of docks, other vessels, and other swimmers or other persons in the water.
• Any portable ballast tank must have a manufacturer’s label that gives the tank’s maximum capacity in gallons and/or maximum weight in pounds.
• The combined weight of the ballast, passengers, gear, and motors must not exceed the maximum weight capacity for the vessel.
• Be a responsible boat operator and respect shoreline properly owners:
  • Stay more than 200 feet away from docks and shorelines.
  • Minimize repetitive passes.
  • Keep music at reasonable levels.