Boating Etiquette

Summer is finally here and everyone is enjoying lake life. People are enjoying swimming, boating by various means including power, sail, kayaking and paddleboard. While boating people are also enjoying water skiing, wake surfing, tubing etc.

The past couple of years have seen an increase in personal water craft (PWC) or better known as sea-doo’s. These vehicles must abide by the same rules and regulations as boats. See-doo’s should be conscious of their speed/wake, keep well away from the shoreline and stay well back form boats towing skiers or tubers in case they fall.

This brings up an important reminder to all boaters/PWC operators that they are responsible for their wake and should therefore remain at minimum 30 metres from shore if travelling greater than 10 km/hr. THIS IS THE LAW.

You should also be mindful of the wake your watercraft puts out. The wake from a boat can cause damage to shorelines and docks – look behind you to see what wake you’re throwing.

Watercraft operators should be on the lookout for swimmers that are out beyond their docks. Swimmers are hard to see when up higher in a boat. We’d hate to see a tragic accident on the lake.

Whatever means of watercraft you are using this summer, be safe out there.