A Model Act Relating to Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing Safety on Public Waterways

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Policy Status

  • Type: Model Policy
  • Status: Draft
  • Date Introduced: July 23, 2026

Task Forces

  • Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development

    • Tags

  • 2026 Annual Meeting

    • Summary

    This Act establishes safety standards for wakeboarding and wakesurfing on public waterways.   
    Draft

    A Model Act Relating to Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing Safety on Public Waterways

    Section 1. Definitions.  

    As used in this Act:   

    1. “Wakeboarding” means:   
      • (A) To use a board with or without foot bindings on which a rider is towed by a motorboat across a wake; or   
      • (B) To operate a motorboat in a manner that creates a wake while towing a person using a board with or without foot bindings across the motorboat’s wake.   
    2. “Wakesurfing” means:   
      • (A) To surf a motorboat’s wake, regardless of whether the person is being pulled by a tow rope attached to the motorboat producing the wake; or   
      • (B) To operate a motorboat in a manner that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.   

    Section 2. Restrictions On Wakeboarding And Wakesurfing   

    • (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person shall not engage in wakeboarding or wakesurfing on the waters of this state:   
      1. Between sunset and sunrise;   
      2. On a body of water that is less than fifty (50) acres in size;   
      3. On a portion of a body of water with a width, measured from the nearest shoreline to the second nearest shoreline, of less than four hundred feet (400′);   
      4. Within two hundred feet (200′) of a shoreline, or a dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located completely or partly on the water; or   
      5. Without wearing a personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.   
    • (b)Except as provided in subsection (c), a person shall not engage in wakesurfing on the waters of this state using a motorboat that has a propulsion system that extends beyond the motorboat’s boarding or swim platform.   
    • (c) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a regatta, race, trail run, parade, tournament, or exhibition conducted on the waters of this state for which an aquatic event permit application has been submitted to and approved by the appropriate state or local authority having jurisdiction over such waterways.   

    Section 3. Effective Date   

    This Act shall take effect upon passage and signing into law or as otherwise provided by the laws of the enacting state.