Wake Sports

Wakesports can be conducted safely and responsibly, but they can also pose a threat to water quality and to lake ecosystems.

Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) advocates for responsible wakesurfing that minimizes impacts to water quality and lake ecosystems. The best available science supports the following recommendations:

1) Stay at least 500 ft from shore when wakesurfing. A distance of 1000 ft. is preferable to minimize shoreline erosion.

2) Only engage in wakesports in deep water. A minimum depth of 20 ft is necessary to avoid uprooting plants and stirring up sediment. This is vital to maintaining fish habitat and reducing the likelihood of toxic cyanobacteria blooms.

3) Keep your boat on a ‘home lake’ for the season rather than moving between lakes. This reduces the chance of introducing invasive species such as spiny water flea, which can disrupt lake ecosystems.

LSPA supports HB 1390, a bill introduced by Representative Linda Tanner that promotes responsible wakesports. On Thursday, March 28, the full House of Representatives will discuss an amended version of HB1390 that was passed by the House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee. The amended version of the bill reduces the initially proposed setback of 500 feet to 300 feet, keeps the minimum 50-acre requirement for the overall size of the lake, and removes the 20-foot minimum depth requirement. While the amended version of the bill weakens its impact, LSPA supports the bill because it offers improved protection and there will still be opportunities for amendments if the bill passes in the House and crosses over to the Senate in a few weeks. Click here to learn more.

Read a Detailed Report Summarizing the Best Available Science

This map shows where wakesports would be allowed to take place in the Lake Sunapee Watershed (and watershed towns) if HB 1390 passes.

Click here to view an interactive map that shows where wake boating would be allowed throughout the state if HB 1390 passes.

Click here to read a study from the University of Minnesota on waves created by recreational boats. To read the full scientific article, click here.