Ban on wakesurfing? Sign the petition.

AaronATX · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 136 City: Austin

I know this isn't about wakeboarding, but more people will see it here than in the surf section, and if they can ban "ballast boats" for surfing, what's stopping them from banning "ballast boats" for wakeboarding?

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Are you going to the meeting?

This caught my attention...

slidin_out · Soul Rider Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 353 City: Pearl

if they are that close then the problem lies with the lack of law enforcement writing those dumba$$es tickets, i get so sick of the "man" in any situation making up more laws/rules instead of simply enforcing what is already probably on the books, i'm sure they have a cushion distance from docks/piers/etc. at which boats are not allowed to venture into legally

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

I agree... the laws / rules are already in place to keep people safe.. but by all means... lets ban stuff. I wonder if they realize how much of the revenue that is generated (boat ramp fees, lakeside bars, gas, etc) from wakeboarders / skiers, etc...

lukus01 · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 32 City: Austin

I'm sure the 6' from boat dock comment is a bit of an exaggeration or very rare occurence. Now 20' is probably more realistic and at times unavoidable.

The problem is the lake is too narrow for the amount of traffic it sees. Also, I'm sure the increased traffic from Travis last year didn't help much. The problem doesn't go away by banning wakesurfing. The shorelines will still erode and the lake will still be overcrowded and dangerous in general.

Maybe make the lake harder to get on by requiring boater education certification, increased ramps fees, etc. OR if they feel like they HAVE to make a law, they could outlaw powerturning Laughing

OR only allow straight line watersports Razz

(see even I can come up with laws to save on shoreline erosion)

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Oct 26, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject:

That sounds horrible. If there is a meeting regarding it definitely go and give cool headed feedback. Provide other solutions other than just saying this law would be bad. If it's already become a law I'm not sure if you can sign petitions or something but I also agree that "there's got to be a better way!"

AaronATX · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 136 City: Austin

the 6' claim has to be an exaggeration, but as lukus said at some places the lake is super narrow, and it's unavoidable to get close. my buddy has a place up near the dam and he says that when the dam is flowing and people ride by sac'd out they throw water up over the dock. maybe they could restrict surfing to the lower part of the lake, it's choppier there anyway!

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

what's up with the fish info? who cares how many carp this bitch caught Rolling Eyes

eric mf soler · Outlaw Joined: 25 Jun 2010 Posts: 118 City: LAKE STEVENS

What does ballast boats have to do with how close people drive to the shore? ballast boat or not im still going to drive close to the shore to get the flattest water...

WillWakeUp · Criminal Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 68

eric mf soler, then you are part of the problem...
If you drive close to the shore you produce big waves that don't have time to get smaller before they hit your neighbors dock/ make your boat swing all over the place / destroy the shore... Rolling Eyes

vegas mike · Criminal Joined: 20 May 2009 Posts: 78 City: San Diego

AaronATX · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 136 City: Austin

haha. i did the same thing... didn't want to mention it in case it was obvious or something haha

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Did you go to the meeting?

lukus01 · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 32 City: Austin

I wanted to go but was slammed at work. Would like to hear any highlights if anyone went.

The fish connection probably goes something like: shoreline erosion brings foreign material into the lake's natural ecosystem thus polluting it. Fish die as a result. I think the argument he's making is, "My land eroding isn't harming the ecosystem of the lake - see all the big fish! Why should I pay to conform to these new bulkhead standards when all these big wake boats are destroying my property. Just outlaw the big wakeboats."

AaronATX · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 136 City: Austin

didn't make it to the meeting... lukus01, i think you're right.. looks like the city is trying to get lakefront property owners to build sloped seawalls instead of vertical ones, because the ecosystem is affected by the way the water hits the bulkheads. property owners suggest just banning boats that create turbulence, thus solving the "water hitting the bulkheads" issue. but boats aren't the only thing that makes water move. this guy expanded a little on the story... still waiting for the city to post meeting minutes online.

http://austincitylivingblog.com/2010/10/26/2148/

lukus01 · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 32 City: Austin

Someone else posted some more information on the Malibu forum. Looks like this issue is not going to be brought up at the Nov. 18 hearing. See the copied email correspondence towards the end of the thread

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29511-lake-austin-banning-wakesurfing-and-boarding/

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

http://www.petitiononline.com/wed1112/petition.html